And he admitted him not, but saith him: Go into thy house to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had mercy thee.
ο δε ιησους ουκ αφηκεν αυτον αλλα λεγει αυτω υπαγε εις τον οικον σου προς τους σους και αναγγειλον αυτοις οσα σοι ο κυριος πεποιηκεν και ηλεησεν σε
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The Lord, demonstrating His strength and divine guidance, returns him home, assuring that he will be protected even when far away. He sends him forth alongside others so that his presence may bring blessings to those who witness him.
Believing that a multitude of demons had been expelled from within me, I yearned to set aside my past and find peace at the feet of the Savior. Yet now, they command me, though it is not my desire, with firmness: Return to your own people and share with them what the Lord has accomplished in your life.
Christ instructed him to return to his own people and share the testimony of the remarkable act that had been done in his life, saying, "Go home to your own and tell them what the Lord has done to you and how he has had mercy on you."
He chose to depart from that unwelcoming land immediately; however, to ensure that the promise of the kingdom of heaven was not entirely absent, He appointed one of those He had healed to proclaim the glory of God in that region. The Saviour instructed him, “Go home to your own people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, and how He has shown you compassion.” In this way, the man once tormented by demons from Gadara became the inaugural messenger of the kingdom of God throughout the territory known as Deciatigradia, of which Gadara was also a part. His message was validated by the remarkable transformation the Lord had enacted in his life.
"He did not permit him," which is elaborated upon in the instruction to "go home to your own," indicates the reason for this prohibition. The man who had been possessed by demons hailed from the vicinity where his healing occurred; his family and friends resided there, and he was meant to serve as a proclaimer of Christ’s works among them and throughout that largely pagan region. As a living testament to Christ's miraculous power, his testimony would hold particular significance for the local population. When addressed as "Lord," it signifies God.
Jesus does not explicitly state that He performed this miracle through His divine authority, possibly because the profound truth of Christ's divinity as the only begotten Son was still beyond the comprehension of the semi-pagan locals, who needed to be gradually enlightened to this divine mystery. The phrase "He hath pardoned thee" indicates that the affliction of being possessed by an unclean spirit is a consequence of human sin; thus, the deliverance from such affliction, achieved through the casting out of the unclean spirit, exemplifies God's grace towards humanity.
Upon witnessing the extraordinary events, the shepherds hurried to share the news with everyone in the town and nearby areas. This remarkable account prompted the townspeople to rush to the site to witness the occurrence for themselves. When they arrived before the Lord Jesus, they saw the man previously possessed by many demons sitting peacefully at His feet, clothed and restored to his right mind, which filled them with astonishment. Those who had witnessed the miracle recounted the details of what had happened to him and the fate of the pigs, which only deepened their fear; they were terrified of potentially facing further calamity, and in their regret over the loss of their swine, they rejected the presence of the Christ.
All the residents of the region of Gerasenes and the townspeople entreated Him to leave their territory.
Thus, as noted by St. John Chrysostom, when the people of that area, having been granted His grace, compelled Him to go, He departed without reluctance, leaving behind those who had deemed themselves unworthy of His teachings. He entered a boat to return across the waters. A man who had been liberated from demonic possession approached Him with a desire to accompany the Savior. The reason for this request remains unclear—whether it stemmed from gratitude for the healing or a apprehension that, upon the Lord's departure, he might fall back into his previous state. However, the Lord did not grant his request but rather instructed him to return home and share his story with others, urging him, “Go to your house to your own, and tell them what the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” The man obeyed, beginning to proclaim the message of Christ to his community and later throughout the Decapolis. His testimony amazed everyone who heard it, and this astonishment might have paved the way for faith among the inhabitants of that predominantly Gentile region.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 26 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS