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
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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.