Mateus 8

Mateus 8

Trapp writes "notice that the demons can’t even afflict pigs without the permission of God. “And if a legion of devils had not power over a herd of hogs, much less have they over Christ’s flock of sheep, saith Tertullian.” If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine - Note the interesting irony that unclean spirits ask to be sent to unclean animals! They knew their fate - there was no "IF" about it! In other words they were not expressing uncertainty or mere possibility but were saying "Since it is certain that you are going to cast us out." They would be cast out. Their fear was the Jesus might "command them to go away into the abyss." (Lk 8:31+) Why the demons ask to be sent into swine is not stated. This is the first of three strange "prayers" (so to speak) in this section, the second recorded only by Mark where the man delivered of demons "was imploring Him that He might accompany Him," (asking to be a disciple!) and the third being the horrible prayer of the whole city in Mt 8:34 where they implored Jesus to leave. He answered the first and third "prayers" affirmatively and the second He denied, telling the man to return to Decapolis and "report to them what great things the Lord (JESUS) has done for you and how He (Jesus) had mercy on you." Notice that Jesus was in essence telling this man to tell them He was the Lord! How often I hear the lame excuse from skeptics that Jesus never claimed to be God! Clearly they have never really read the Scriptures! Cast out (throw, send, drive) (1544) (ekbállō from ek = out + bállō = to cast, throw, drive) means to cast, throw out often with the idea of force and frequently used of casting out demons as in this passage. (cf Mt 7:22, Mt 8:31,9:34, 10:1, etc). Used of casting or throwing unbelievers into outer darkness (hell). Swine (5519)(choiros) refers to a pig, a hog, a poker, a young swine. Swine were detestable creatures being classified with the dog (cf. Lk 8:32ff.; Lk 15:15). They were considered unclean according to the laws of purification - Lev 11:7-8+, Dt 14:8. The ancient Canaanites sacrificed and ate swine before their so-called "gods." Despite their being a popular sacrificial animal among the Greeks at special events, the Old Testament paints them as destructive, undesirable creatures (Ps 80:13; Pr 11:22). Most of the NT uses are in the story of Jesus casting out the demons and sending them into the swine (Mt 8:30, 31, 32, Mk 5:11, 12, 13, 16, Lk 8:32, 33+) To protect themselves from defilement for worship on the Sabbath day, Jews would not even touch pigs. In an act of brazen disrespect to the Jews, the despicable ruler Antiochus Epiphanes raided the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, stealing its treasures, setting up an altar to Zeus, and sacrificing swine on the altar. When the Jews expressed their outrage over the profaning of the temple, Antiochus responded by slaughtering a great number of the Jews and selling others into slavery. He issued even more draconian decrees: performing the rite of circumcision was punishable by death, and Jews everywhere were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods and eat pig flesh. Related Resources: Torrey Topical Textbook Swine Easton's Bible Dictionary Swine Holman Bible Dictionary Swine Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Swine Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Swine Smith Bible Dictionary Swine International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Swine Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Swine McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Swine The Jewish Encyclopedia Swine Matthew 8:32 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. Go - 1Ki 22:22 Job 1:10-12 2:3-6 Ac 2:23 4:28 Rev 20:7 the whole - Job 1:13-19 2:7,8 Mk 5:13 Lu 8:33 Matthew 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel passages - Matt. 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20 Luke 8:26–39 Mark 5:13+ Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea. Luke 8:32-33+ Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. DELIVERANCE OF TWO MEN DESTRUCTION OF TWO THOUSAND SWINE One would think that the numbers of swine would be meaningless for a human soul is of inestimable value compared to swine! That would not prove to be the case as the story unfolds! This recalls Jesus' words “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Mt 12:12+) And He said to them, "Go!" - It is interesting that this is very same command in present imperative which Jesus spoke to the centurion in Mt 8:13+! And so in Mt 8:13 Jesus heals with a Word and similarly in this passage He delivers with His Word. Heb 1:3+ says He "upholds all things by the word of His power (His powerful Word)." Luke 1:37ASV+ (in a more literal rendering) says "no word from God shall be void of power."