The Meaning of Matthew 8:28 Explained

Matthew 8:28

KJV: And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

YLT: And he having come to the other side, to the region of the Gergesenes, there met him two demoniacs, coming forth out of the tombs, very fierce, so that no one was able to pass over by that way,

Darby: And there met him, when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, two possessed by demons, coming out of the tombs, exceeding dangerous, so that no one was able to pass by that way.

ASV: And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two possessed with demons, coming forth out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man could pass by that way.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  when he  was come  to  the other side  into  the country  of the Gergesenes,  there met  him  two  possessed with devils,  coming  out of  the tombs,  exceeding  fierce,  so that  no  man  might  pass  by  that  way. 

What does Matthew 8:28 Mean?

Study Notes

possessed
(Greek - δαιμονίζομαι - "demonized").
Devils
Devils, lit demons. To the reality and personality of demons the N.T. scriptures bear abundant testimony. As to their origin nothing is clearly revealed, but they are not to be confounded with the angels mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 .
Summary: Demons are spirits Matthew 12:43 ; Matthew 12:45 are Satan's emissaries; Matthew 12:26 ; Matthew 12:27 ; Matthew 25:41 and so numerous as to make Satan's power practically ubiquitous. Mark 5:9 . They are capable of entering and controlling both men and beasts Mark 5:8 ; Mark 5:11-13 and earnestly seek embodiment, without which, apparently, they are powerless for evil.; Matthew 12:43 ; Matthew 12:44 ; Mark 5:10-12 . Demon influence and demon possession are discriminated in the N. T. Instances of the latter are; Matthew 4:24 ; Matthew 8:16 ; Matthew 8:28 ; Matthew 8:33 ; Matthew 9:32 ; Matthew 12:22 ; Mark 1:32 ; Mark 5:15 ; Mark 5:16 ; Mark 5:18 ; Luke 8:35 ; Acts 8:7 ; Acts 16:16 . They are unclean, sullen, violent, and malicious; Matthew 8:28 ; Matthew 9:23 ; Matthew 10:1 ; Matthew 12:43 ; Mark 1:23 ; Mark 5:3-5 ; Mark 9:17 ; Mark 9:20 ; Luke 6:18 ; Luke 9:39 . They know Jesus Christ as Most High God, and recognize His supreme authority; Matthew 8:31 ; Matthew 8:32 ; Mark 1:24 ; Acts 19:15 ; James 2:19 . They know their eternal fate to be one of torment; Matthew 8:29 ; Luke 8:31 . They inflict physical maladies; Matthew 12:22 ; Matthew 17:15-18 ; Luke 13:16 but mental disease is to be distinguished from the disorder of mind due to demonical control. Demon influence may manifest itself in religion asceticism and formalism 1 Timothy 4:1-3 degenerating into uncleanness 2 Peter 2:10-12 . The sign of demon influence in religion is departing from the faith, i.e. the body of revealed truth in the Scriptures. 1 Timothy 4:1 . The demons maintain especially a conflict with believers who would be spiritual.; Ephesians 6:12 ; 1 Timothy 4:1-3 . All unbelievers are open to demon possession Ephesians 2:2 . The believer's resources, prayer and bodily control Matthew 17:21 "the whole armour of God" Ephesians 6:13-18 . Exorcism in the name of Jesus Christ Acts 16:18 was practised for demon possession. One of the awful features of the apocalyptic judgments in which this age will end is an irruption of demons out the abyss. Revelation 9:1-11 .

Verse Meaning

Gadara was the regional capital of the Decapolis area that lay southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Its population was strongly Gentile. This may account for the presence of many swine there ( Matthew 8:30). The Gadara region stretched west to the Sea of Galilee. This was the country of the Gadarenes.
Mark and Luke mentioned only one Prayer of Manasseh , but Matthew said there were two ( Mark 5:2; Luke 8:27). Mark and Luke evidently mentioned the more prominent one. Perhaps Matthew mentioned both of them because the testimony of two witnesses was valid in Jewish courts, and he wrote for Jews originally.
The Jews believed that demonic spirits could and did take over the bodies and personalities of certain individuals. Matthew reflected this view of the spirit world. A literal reading of Scripture leads to the same conclusion. [1] Demons are fallen angels who are Satan"s agents.
These demoniacs lived lives of terror among tombs away from other people in a place that rendered them ritually unclean in Judaism.

Context Summary

Matthew 8:28-34 - An Unwelcome Visitor
The demon spirit seems still to tenant the lives of human beings. To what else can we attribute the paroxysms of passion, the awful cruelties and inhumanities of men? There is only one devil, but many demons; only one prince of the power of darkness, but many emissaries. Take heed, lest you open the door of your nature to the spirit of evil and he possess you. Watch and pray, and trust the keeping of your soul to the hands of Christ. He is stronger than the strong man.
Notice that the demon is set upon destruction. If he may not destroy the souls of men, he will destroy swine. This is the mark of evil. It is always destructive; whereas the Spirit of God is constructive and builds up from the ruins of Satan's work a new heaven and a new earth, both in the soul and in the universe.
All the city besought Jesus to depart, because men count their gains more valuable than His presence. The same spirit rules in the commercial world of today. Let us beware. What shall it profit to gain the world, if we lose our souls? [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 8

1  Jesus cleanses the leper;
5  heals the centurion's servant,
14  Peter's mother in law,
16  and many others;
18  shows the cost of following him;
23  stills the storm on the sea;
28  drives the demons out of two men possessed;
31  and tells them to go into the pigs

Greek Commentary for Matthew 8:28

The country of the Gadarenes [τεν χωραν των Γαδαρηνων]
This is the correct text in Matthew while in Mark 5:1 and Luke 8:26 it is “the country of the Gerasenes.” Dr. Thomson discovered by the lake the ruins of Khersa (Gerasa). This village is in the district of the city of Gadara some miles southeastward so that it can be called after Gerasa or Gadara. So Matthew speaks of “two demoniacs” while Mark and Luke mention only one, the leading one. [source]
The tombs []
” (των μνημειων — tōn mnēmeiōn) were chambers cut into the mountain side common enough in Palestine then and now. On the eastern side of the lake the precipitous cliffs are of limestone formation and full of caves. It is one of the proofs that one is a maniac that he haunts the tombs. People shunned the region as dangerous because of the madmen. [source]
The tombs [μνημείων]
Chambers excavated in the mountain, which would afford a shelter to the demoniac. Chandler (“Travels in Asia Minor”) describes tombs with two square rooms, the lower containing the ashes, while in the upper, the friends performed funeral rites, and poured libations through a hole in the floor. Dr. Thomson (“Land and Book”) thus describes the rock-cut tombs in the region between Tyre and Sidon: “They are nearly all of the same form, having a small chamber in front, and a door leading from that into the tomb, which is about six feet square, With niches on three sides for the dead.” A propensity to take up the abode in the tombs is mentioned by ancient physicians as a characteristic of madmen. The Levitical uncleanness of the tombs would insure the wretches the solitude which they sought. Trench (“Notes on the Miracles”) cites the following incident from Warburton (“The Crescent and the Cross”): “On descending from these heights I found myself in a cemetery whose sculptured turbans showed me that the neighboring village was Moslem. The silence of night was now broken by fierce yells and howlings, which I discovered proceeded from a naked maniac who was fighting with some wild dogs for a bone. The moment he perceived me he left his canine comrades, and bounding along with rapid strides, seized my horse's bridle, and almost forced him backward over the cliff.” [source]
Fierce [χαλεποὶ]
Originally, difficult, hard. Hence hard to manage; intractable. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 8:28

Matthew 9:27 As Jesus passed by [παραγοντι Ιησου]
Associative instrumental case with ηκολουτησαν — ēkolouthēsan It was the supreme opportunity of these two blind men. Note two demoniacs in Matthew 8:28 and two blind men in Matthew 20:30. See the same word παραγων — paragōn used of Jesus in Matthew 9:9. [source]
Mark 5:1 The Gerasenes [των Γερασηνων]
Like Luke 8:26 while Matthew 8:28 has “the Gadarenes.” The ruins of the village Khersa (Gerasa) probably point to this site which is in the district of Gadara some six miles southeastward, not to the city of Gerasa some thirty miles away. [source]
Mark 5:2 Out of the boat [εκ του πλοιου]
Straightway Mark has many touches about this miracle not retained in Matthew and Luke. See notes on Matthew 8:28. [source]
Luke 8:27 Tombs []
See on Matthew 8:28. Compare Mark 5:4-6. [source]
Luke 8:26 The Gerasenes [τον Γερασηνων]
This is the correct text here as in Mark 5:1 while Gadarenes is correct in Matthew 8:28. See there for explanation of this famous discrepancy, now cleared up by Thomson‘s discovery of Khersa Only here in the N.T. The later Greek form is αντιπεραν — antiperan (Polybius, etc.). Some MSS. here have περαν — peran like Mark 5:1; Matthew 8:28. [source]
Luke 8:26 Over against Galilee [αντιπερα της Γαλιλαιας]
Only here in the N.T. The later Greek form is αντιπεραν — antiperan (Polybius, etc.). Some MSS. here have περαν — peran like Mark 5:1; Matthew 8:28. [source]
Luke 8:27 He had worn no clothes [ουκ ενεδυσατο ιματιον]
First aorist middle indicative, constative aorist, viewing the “long time” as a point. Not pluperfect as English has it and not for the pluperfect, simply “and for a long time he did not put on himself (indirect middle) any clothing.” The physician would naturally note this item. Common verb ενδυω — enduō or ενδυνω — endunō This item in Luke alone, though implied by Mark 5:15 “clothed” Imperfect active. Peculiar to Luke, though implied by the mention of tombs in all three (Mark 5:3; Matthew 8:28; Luke 8:27). [source]
Luke 8:27 And abode not in any house [και εν οικιαι ουκ εμενεν]
Imperfect active. Peculiar to Luke, though implied by the mention of tombs in all three (Mark 5:3; Matthew 8:28; Luke 8:27). [source]
John 11:20 That Jesus was coming [οτι Ιησους ερχεται]
Present middle indicative retained in indirect discourse after the secondary tense ηκουσεν — ēkousen (first aorist active). Went and met him First aorist (ingressive) active indicative of υπανταω — hupantaō old compound verb, to go to meet (Matthew 8:28) with the associative instrumental case αυτωι — autōi But Mary still sat in the house Imperfect middle of κατεζομαι — kathezomai old verb to sit down, graphic picture of Mary, “while Mary was sitting in the house.” Both Martha and Mary act true to form here as in Luke 10:38-42. [source]
2 Timothy 3:1 Perilous times [καιροὶ χαλεποί]
Only here and Matthew 8:28. Lit. hard times: schwere Zeiten. Καιρός denotes a definite, specific season. See on Matthew 12:1; see on Acts 1:17. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 8:28 mean?

And having come He to the other side the region of the Gadarenes met Him two being possessed by demons out of the tombs coming forth violent extremely so that not was able anyone to pass by the way that
Καὶ ἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ πέραν τὴν χώραν τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν ὑπήντησαν αὐτῷ δύο δαιμονιζόμενοι ἐκ τῶν μνημείων ἐξερχόμενοι χαλεποὶ λίαν ὥστε μὴ ἰσχύειν τινὰ παρελθεῖν διὰ τῆς ὁδοῦ ἐκείνης

ἐλθόντος  having  come 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
πέραν  other  side 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πέραν  
Sense: beyond, on the other side.
χώραν  region 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: χώρα  
Sense: the space lying between two places or limits.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Γαδαρηνῶν  Gadarenes 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: Γαδαρηνός  
Sense: also called Gergesenes, was the capital of Peraea, situated opposite the south extremity of the Lake of Gennesaret to the south-east, but at some distance from the lake on the banks of the river Hieromax.
ὑπήντησαν  met 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ὑπαντάω  
Sense: to go to meet, to meet.
δύο  two 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: δύο 
Sense: the two, the twain.
δαιμονιζόμενοι  being  possessed  by  demons 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: δαιμονίζομαι  
Sense: to be under the power of a demon.
ἐκ  out  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
μνημείων  tombs 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: μνημεῖον  
Sense: any visible object for preserving or recalling the memory of any person or thing.
ἐξερχόμενοι  coming  forth 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐξέρχομαι 
Sense: to go or come forth of.
χαλεποὶ  violent 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: χαλεπός  
Sense: hard to do, to take, to approach.
λίαν  extremely 
Parse: Adverb
Root: λίαν  
Sense: greatly, exceedingly, exceedingly beyond measure.
ὥστε  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὥστε  
Sense: so that, insomuch that.
ἰσχύειν  was  able 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: ἰσχύω  
Sense: to be strong.
τινὰ  anyone 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
παρελθεῖν  to  pass 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: παρέρχομαι  
Sense: to go past, pass by.
ὁδοῦ  way 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ὁδός 
Sense: properly.
ἐκείνης  that 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐκεῖνος  
Sense: he, she it, etc.