Mateus 8

Mateus 8

Morris - These "devils" (probably the fallen angelic spirits that followed Satan in his primeval rebellion against God) could recognize Jesus for who He was, even though He was now also a man. In fact, both Satan and his demons called Jesus "Son of God," but they never called Him "Son of man." They apparently refuse to acknowledge that "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" (1 John 4:2,3). Torment (928)(basanizo from basanos - English basanite indicates basically, a touchstone to test gold and other metals. Basanite was used in this way - If you use one thing as a touchstone of another, you use it as a test by which you judge the second thing = a 'Lydian stone' used for testing gold because pure gold rubbed on it left a peculiar mark]; [b] Basanos described the instrument of torture by which slaves were tortured; i.e., were forced to reveal the truth by torturing them [see metaphor]; and [c] torment or acute pain) means literally to rub on the touchstone (basanos) or to test by means of the touchstone and then to test or make proof of anything. Figuratively, the verb basanizo refers to any severe distress, and so means to afflict, to harass, to vex, to torment. Basanizo then can mean to subject one to severe torment or distress, as with diseases (Mt 8:6+), with birth pangs (Re 12:2+), by the threat of Jesus' punishment of unclean spirits of the Gadarene demoniac (Mt 8:29+, Mk 5:7+, Lk 8:28+), by prophetic warnings (Rev 11:10+), of the torment associated with God's righteous judgment (Rev 14:10+). John describes the fate of the HEAD DEMON, SATAN, writing that "the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented (basanizo) day and night forever and ever." (Rev 20:10+) Time (2540)(kairos) means a point of time or period of time, frequently with the implication of being especially fit for something, the period which would be especially appropriate and favorable in this context to cast the demonic hordes into the Lake of fire. Matthew 8:30 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them. a herd of many swine - Lev 11:7 De 14:8 Isa 65:3,4 66:3 Mk 5:11 Lu 8:32 15:15,16 Matthew 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel passages - Matt. 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20 Luke 8:26–39 Mark 5:8-11+ For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he *said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. Luke 8:29-30+ For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them - Pigs suggest the owners were Gentiles. Galilee was known to be inhabited by both Jews and Gentiles. However, since the synoptic accounts do not reveal the owners ethnicity, we cannot exclude Jewish owners who raised the swine to sell to the Gentiles. Matthew says at a distance whereas Mark says nearby (Mk 5:11+), in either case clearly visible to Jesus and the demons. Swine (5519) see note on choiros Matthew 8:31 The demons began to entreat Him, saying, "If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." Mk 5:7,12 Lu 8:30-33 Rev 12:12 20:1,2 Matthew 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel passages - Matt. 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20 Luke 8:26–39 Mark 5:12+ The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” Luke 8:31-32+ They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss. 32 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. PRAYING DEMONS The demons began to entreat Him, saying - Began to entreat is in the imperfect tense indicating that they begged Him again and again! So demons have to have permission from God even to afflict these pigs. Satan and his demons have power but are always on a "divine leash!" Demons (1142)(daimon) is an evil spirit used in the modern Greek manuscripts only in Mt 8:31. There are 4 uses of daimon in the Textus Receptus Mk. 5:12; Lk. 8:29; Rev. 16:14; Rev. 18:2 but the modern manuscripts use daimonion in place of daimon. It is interesting that the word daimon "signified, among pagan Greeks, an inferior deity, whether good or bad." (Vine) Gilbrant adds that "In early Greek thought daimon was an imprecise term denoting “gods,” “lesser deities,” or any supernatural being. They could be good or evil depending on the circumstances with which they were associated. By contrast, daimonion narrowly defined those evil spirits that were feared by man. This distinction accounts for the limited use of daimon in the Septuagint and the New Testament: “Daimon is avoided because it is too closely associated with positive religious elements, whereas daimonion indicated from the very first the hostile spirits of popular belief” (Foerster, “daimon,” Kittel, 2:12). This is confirmed by its lone occurrence in the Septuagint, Isaiah 65:11. Israel is rebuked for attempting to gain the advantage by preparing a table for gadh, the “god of fortune.” (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) Entreat (3870)(parakaleo from para = side of, alongside, beside + kaleo = call) means literally to call one alongside, to call someone to oneself, to call for, to summon. Parakaleo can include the idea of giving help or aid but the primary sense is to urge someone to take some action. All uses in Mark - Note 5 times in Mark 5 - Mk. 1:40; Mk. 5:10; Mk. 5:12; Mk. 5:17; Mk. 5:18; Mk. 5:23; Mk. 6:56; Mk. 7:32; Mk. 8:22. See note on the repeated use of the verb parakaleo in strikingly different contexts (and contrasts).