And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

MATTHEW 8:33KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 8:33 (KJV)

What does Matthew 8:33 mean?

Matthew 8:33 describes how the people who were taking care of the herd of pigs ran away after witnessing what happened, went into the city, and reported everything, especially what had happened to the men who had been possessed by demons. The verse highlights the immediate reaction of the witnesses to a dramatic and unsettling event.

In this scene, Jesus has just cast demons out of two men and sent them into a herd of pigs, which then rushed into the sea and died. The people watching over the pigs—likely hired workers—were so startled by what they saw that they left the area and hurried to tell others in the nearby town. Their report included both the loss of the pigs and the change in the formerly possessed men, setting the stage for the townspeople’s response in the following verses.

The Greek behind Matthew 8:33

  • "fled" (ἔφυγον, ephygon): This word means to run away or escape quickly, emphasizing the fear or urgency the pig keepers felt after witnessing the event.
  • "told" (ἀπήγγειλαν, apēngeilan): This Greek word means to report or announce, often with the sense of giving a full account. Here, it shows that the witnesses relayed the entire story, not just the loss of the pigs but also the dramatic change in the possessed men.
  • "devils" (δαιμονιζομένων, daimonizomenōn): This term refers to people possessed by demons or evil spirits. The focus on what happened to these men underlines the miraculous nature of their deliverance.

Why Matthew 8:33 matters

  • Matthew 8:33 helps clarify that the focus of the story is not only on the destruction of the pigs but also on the transformation of the demon-possessed men, which would have been astonishing to the local people.
  • The verse shows how news of Jesus’ actions spread quickly, setting up the townspeople’s reaction and highlighting the impact of Jesus’ miracles on the wider community.
  • By mentioning both the loss of the pigs and the deliverance of the men, Matthew 8:33 reveals the mixed emotions—fear, amazement, and perhaps economic concern—that shaped the community’s response to Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“kept” Greek G1006 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
  • Mark 5:14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
  • Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

“devils” Greek G1139 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
  • Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

“fled” Greek G5343 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Mark 16:8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

“told” Greek G518 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Luke 8:34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.
  • Acts 12:14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.