Luke 8:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The individual who experienced healing offers unmistakable evidence of his restoration. He attained such clarity of thought that he acknowledged Jesus and expressed his desire to be in His presence.

Demons hold no true power. This is evident from the fate that befell the herd of swine. These malevolent spirits are cruel, malicious, and treacherous towards those they influence. Their ruthlessness is illustrated by their driving the pigs off a cliff and into the waters. Christ permitted this to reveal their depraved nature, which is relentless and seeks only to inflict harm on those they can ensnare. Those among us who resemble swine, who embrace filth and immorality, and willingly indulge in sinful practices, may fall victim to such evil forces. However, this ensnarement by demons will never occur for those who hold Christ dear. As long as we walk in His ways, remain diligent in doing good, aspire to righteousness, and follow the noble path that Christ showcased through His commandment in the Gospel, we will be safeguarded.

The inhabitants of Gergesa, upon exiting the city, witnessed the synagogue's structure and beseeched Jesus to depart from their vicinity due to overwhelming fear (Luke 8:37). This reaction stems from a frail mind's inability to embrace the Word of God, as it cannot withstand the burden of divine wisdom, leading to fatigue and weakness. Consequently, He chose not to overload them further but ascended and departed (Luke 8:37). He transitioned from the lower realms to the higher, moving from the synagogue to the Church. Following the lakeshore, as noted by Luke, or as Matthew puts it, "between us and them is a great sea," signifying the perilous journey from the Church to the synagogue without jeopardizing one’s salvation.

Matthew records that the crowd "went out to meet Jesus" as He drew near to the city. However, Luke clarifies that He did not progress further; had He been walking, the man liberated from the legion would not have been at His feet. Thus, as He indeed neared the city, He paused to teach, and the healed man, exhausted from the affliction of demons, complied and sat down at His instruction.

Observe how the distinguished Luke provides a detailed account of what the revered Matthew presented more generally. He notes that the townspeople and villagers went out to investigate the events that had transpired (Luke 8:35). Previously, Luke mentioned that the man harassed by demons was unclothed, dwelt among the tombs, broke chains and shackles, and was driven into the wilderness by the evil spirit. Thus, he reports that those who arrived to witness the occurrence discovered this man, liberated from the demon's grip, seated at the feet of Jesus Christ, fully clothed, composed, and rational. Upon witnessing this transformation and hearing from others about his deliverance, they were filled with great fear. Yet, what was the source of their fear?

They approached Jesus and witnessed the man who had once been wild and instilled terror in them, now sitting peacefully at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. The demon-possessed individual, who had previously broken chains and shackles, was certainly unclothed (Luke 8:27); and if the people of his town saw him now dressed, it is clear that the disciples of Jesus had provided him with clothing. Those who arrived discovered him restored to his right mind; their discussions with him had led them to conclude that he truly was sane. The shepherds who returned joined in the dialogue, sharing their eyewitness accounts with those present. Many gathered, all the inhabitants of the region of the Gerasenes, as noted by Luke. Yet, they were rough individuals; their hardened hearts and unyielding thoughts could not grasp the significance of what had occurred; they were filled with profound fear, overwhelmed by horror.

In wonder at this remarkable occurrence, the shepherds hurried to share the news in their towns and villages, drawing crowds from all around to witness the astonishing guest in their land. Here, they witnessed a profound transformation in a once fearsome demoniac who had instilled terror in others. A wondrous healer had restored him, and he now exhibited the tranquility of a child. A compassionate hand draped a cloak over his bare and soiled frame, and he sat at the feet of his Redeemer, completely restored to his right mind.

The narrative of the Lord’s visit to the territory of the Gerasenes closely parallels that found in the Gospel of Luke, which in turn aligns precisely with the account given by Mark (Mark 5:1-20). In contrast, Matthew provides a more concise version that has noticeable differences from the others. For further insights, refer to the notes on Mark 5:1-20 and Matthew 8:28-34.

The shepherds, upon witnessing the events that unfolded, hurried to share the news with those in the city and surrounding villages. This astonishing revelation prompted the local residents to rush to the scene to discover what had taken place. When they approached Jesus Christ, they beheld the man who had been afflicted by many demons, now seated at His feet, fully clothed and sane, which filled them with dread. Those who had witnessed the miracle recounted the details of the man's transformation and the fate of the swine, which only increased their fear. ‘They were afraid lest they should suffer something more, and, regretting their loss, they refused the presence of the Lord’ (Blessed Theophylact).