Luke 8:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Christ inquired of him and directed him to reveal his name. The man responded, “Legion, for many demons have entered him.” Did Christ ask this question because He was unaware of the name, seeking knowledge as we might? Such a notion is indeed preposterous. Being God, He “knows all things, and searches out hearts and governs them.” His inquiry serves to illuminate the plan of salvation, allowing us to recognize that a vast multitude of demons had seized control of this one soul, leading him to a state of wretchedness and impurity. He was their handiwork, and as Scripture states, they are “wise to do evil,” yet possess no understanding of good.

The subdued legion represents tranquility, transformed into humility and righteousness, its rage brought under control by Him who gives life to all.

He was not tormented by a single demon, but rather by a multitude of them. When this legion of demons saw and recognized the Lord, they, anticipating their banishment to the abyss upon His arrival, begged to be permitted to enter the swine. It is essential to first acknowledge the Lord's mercy, for He does not pass immediate judgment; instead, humanity brings punishment upon itself. It is not the Lord who casts demons into the pigs, but the demons themselves request it, unable to withstand the brilliance of the divine Light—much like those with weakened eyesight who cannot bear the sun’s rays, preferring the shadows to avoid illumination. The demons shy away from the splendor of eternal Light, fearful of the punishment that awaits them.

Mark recorded this, and you can find an explanation of it in the eleventh chapter of his Gospel.

The Lord, wishing to reveal to the onlookers that this dreadful spirit was not singular but a vast host, inquired, ‘What is your name?’ The spirit replied, ‘Legion is my name, for we are many’ (Mk. 5:9). It is stated that a legion consists of around six thousand soldiers.

Jesus posed a question to him, asking, "What is your name?" The response was, "Legion," for numerous demons had taken possession of him. Jesus Christ did not ask this question out of ignorance; as the authentic God, He was aware of both the identity and the multitude of the demons within the afflicted man. Instead, His inquiry served the purpose of revealing to those present that he was overwhelmed by many demons, for "legion" signifies six thousand troops. Moreover, it was to demonstrate that despite the multitude of demons, they all quaked in the presence of His divine authority. Thus, they beseeched Him.

Jesus inquired, "What is your name?" Who was the recipient of this question? Was it the man who lay at His feet or the unclean spirit? Some theologians suggest that this inquiry was directed to the unclean spirit, while others contend that it was posed to the man afflicted by possession. However, since the response came from the unclean spirit speaking through the afflicted individual, one must conclude that the question was indeed aimed at the evil spirit. "Legion is my name, for we are many." The term "Legion" referred to a division of 6,000 soldiers; in common usage, it signified an indeterminate multitude.

The compassionate Lord, desiring to free the suffering from the oppressive grip of the forces of darkness, inquired of one individual regarding his name. The response came from the demonic entity within him: "Legion." This answer reflected the total loss of personal awareness he endured. Familiar with the term for a large number of soldiers due to the presence of Roman forces, he conveyed this Latin word, a term well recognized by every Jew, as he was tormented by a multitude of six thousand unclean spirits.

The narrative of the Lord's time in the region of the Gerasenes is identical to Luke's version. Luke's depiction aligns precisely with that of Mark (Mark 5:1-20). However, Matthew presents a considerably abbreviated and somewhat altered account. See the references to Mark 5:1-20 and Matthew 8:28-34.

When the man tormented by demons spotted the Lord from a distance, he rushed towards Him, worshipped, and exclaimed in a loud voice, "What do we have to do with You, Jesus, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the appointed time?" Thus, even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19), fully aware that their ultimate judgment awaits them (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6), and so, until that day arrives, they act in alignment with their wicked nature, pleading not to be punished prematurely. As the revered Theophylact notes, the demons feared torment, believing that the Lord would not endure their presence any longer, prompting them to seek immediate relief from their suffering.