Right after calming the storm, Jesus and His disciples arrive in the region of the Gadarenes, where they’re met by two demon-possessed men. These men are so violent that no one dares to pass by. But when they see Jesus, the demons instantly recognize His authority. They know they’re no match for Him and beg Him to send them into a herd of pigs instead of tormenting them.
Jesus speaks a single word—“Go!”—and the demons leave the men and enter the pigs, which then rush down a steep bank into the lake and drown. The men are freed from their torment, but the people of the town, more worried about their pigs than the miracle, ask Jesus to leave. Join me in this Bible reading from Matthew to learn what happens next.
Jesus Doesn’t Hesitate to Help – He Drives Demons into Pigs
When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs.
They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way.
And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God?
Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them.
The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.”
And He said to them, “Go!”
And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters. – Matthew 8:28-34 NASB
Casting Out Demons
Wikipedia describes a demon as …
“a supernatural being that is generally described as a malevolent spirit. In Christian terms demons are generally understood as fallen angels, formerly of God.
A demon is frequently depicted as a force that may be conjured and insecurely controlled.”
Why Do Demons Exist?
These demons or “fallen angels” joined forces with Satan when he rebelled against God. Their main function is to tempt unsuspecting people into sin and destruction.
Christ knew exactly who they were. And, the evil spirits certainly knew Jesus. They even called him by the name, “Son of God“.
They had no power in His presence and met their match when He approached them.
Faith in Christ
In verse 29 the demons did recognize Jesus but had no intention of obeying him. This shows difference between believing and having faith.
We may believe in Christ but we also have to accept. We must believe what He did for us and then act on that faith by attempting to follow the commands He gave us. No matter how much we rationalize, Christ is the only one who can save us from sin.
He lived among the people, taught, and then went to the cross to die so that we might live.
There is a simple guide to follow here if you have not yet made a decision and want to learn more about accepting Christ.
What About The Two Demon Possessed Men?
These men were from Gadarenes, a gentile city. So they were considered unclean by the Jews. Being considered unclean meant that these men were socially and religiously ostracized by the Jewish community. They were not allowed to participate in religious ceremonies or enter the temple, which isolated them from the central aspects of Jewish life. The men were possessed and living in a graveyard, going strictly against Jewish law. But Jesus had no problem helping them overcome their “illness“.
Jesus never let circumstances keep him from doing his work. He still doesn’t. Christ is wherever we are, watching and waiting for us whenever we call on him.
An Aside: Were There Demons in the Storm?
Before Jesus landed, He calmed a violent storm that terrified the disciples. Is it possible that the demons showed up in this storm to try and prevent Jesus from landing on shore? This is an interesting theory considered by some scholars.
If true, Christ had no problem battling the demons on land or at sea. His power is total and the spirits had no chance of winning. The final battle between good and evil is already won. We just have to take steps to be on the right side.
A Friend Indeed ..
There is a saying I read recently (not sure of the author) which stated;
“A friend cares about you — a true friend is concerned about you.”
Jesus is concerned about you and me, so much so that He was willing to die for us. Let’s not ever forget.
Do We Help or Walk Away?
What about us? Do we sometimes walk away from people who need our help because of who they are or what they look like?
Both stories challenge us to trust in Jesus’ authority over every aspect of life, whether it’s natural disasters, spiritual battles, or everyday worries. When we feel overwhelmed, do we panic, like the disciples? Or do we recognize that Jesus is in control, even when things look out of control?
It’s easy to judge someone at first glance. We decide they are not worth the trouble, or too far gone to even bother (I’m guilty).
Christ proved in this passage about the pigs that no one is beyond help. All people are created by God and worth saving. Shouldn’t we be willing to help one of God’s creations? Please pray for the lost.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like more information about beginning a relationship with Christ, please take a moment to look at John 3:16.