Matthew 8:32Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This illustrates a vital truth: God cares for every individual. While His care may manifest differently for each person, this is a clear testament to His providence, which operates according to what benefits each soul. Furthermore, it shows that God does not overlook anyone, as evidenced by Christ's interactions with His disciples, as He said, "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matthew 10:30). The condition of those possessed by demons serves to remind us of this: they would have perished long ago were it not for divine intervention. The Savior permitted the demons to enter the swine so that the people of that region might witness His power.

But why did the demons inflict destruction upon the pigs? Their aim is persistently to bring despair to humanity, where they find delight in death and suffering. The scene reflects what occurred with Job, where God allowed affliction not out of conviction to the Devil but to demonstrate Job's righteousness and to ultimately glorify him. Similarly, here the reverse of the demons’ intentions was realized: Christ’s authority was exalted, the evil nature of the demons was more conspicuously displayed, and it became evident that they could not so much as harm a pig without permission from God.

Everyone can interpret this narrative in a deeper sense. Though it recounts a specific event, it also serves as an allegory for individuals who, likened to swine, succumb easily to the influence of demons. Those who find themselves trapped can overcome their oppressors if they engage their humanity. However, when mankind resembles swine entirely, they become not only possessed but are also cast into the abyss. This narrative is not a mere fable; it is far from fanciful, as evidenced by the fate of the swine. Today, we observe similar occurrences, with many afflicted individuals living in misery, uncontained by chains or threats.

Consider the individual absorbed in worldly pursuits; he becomes indistinguishable from one who is deranged. Though clothed, he is devoid of true dignity, wandering aimlessly like a demoniac, inflicting pain upon himself not with stones but rather through iniquities heavier than boulders. Who can restrain such abandoned individuals, perpetually engulfed in their pursuits? Their lives resemble those of the immoral, filled with decay and corruption.

And what of the avaricious individual? Is he not entrenched in this same plight? Who can effectively restrain him? Not mere fears or admonitions; true desire can dissolve all barriers. Even though such a one hears the word, "You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24), he remains unmoved. His failure to submit is not due to greater power than Christ, but because true correction requires willing hearts, not force.

Those living in sin often choose to remain in their desolation, eschewing help, unwilling to confront their plight. It is far preferable to engage with the deranged than with one whose spirit is so consumed by greed. The torment of both the greedy and demonized is evident; however, the former flies into rage, damaging countless lives, while the latter remains in a state of insensibility.

Those overcome by their desires act with ferocity, even desire harm upon those who’ve not wronged them. The avaricious man looks to enslave the free, and in doing so, he wreaks havoc, while those tormented by demons simply cultivate their affliction. The former's destruction resonates through communities, while the latter evokes deeper sympathy.

Those driven by greed overlook their humanity, as well as the joy of familial ties, failing to even acknowledge blessings like children as anything but burdens. Their obsession with wealth often leads them to commit acts against life itself, causing harm both to themselves and others. This results in both a barren nature and destruction of life.

Thus, the depiction of such a soul is not exaggerated; we discern that his liberation hinges upon a realization of the harm caused by his avarice. To extricate oneself from such a state, one must acknowledge that the pursuit of wealth does not yield true wellbeing. All sorts of woes accompany excessive desires and fixation on material gain.

It holds true that virtue, not mere possession, generates true wealth. How valuable is material abundance if one’s companion is wasteful and dissolute? What advantages arise when indulgence in vice brings financial ruin? The pitfalls await the greedy in all their pursuits, whether through relationships or in business.

Having contemplated these internal struggles and the consequences stemming from obsession with wealth, let the desire for material greed diminish. Only then can one navigate the present life more safely and, through divine wisdom, behold the radiant truth of righteousness. May we participate in the blessings promised by our Lord, Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

Consider the wisdom behind the Savior’s actions: in seeking to inflict harm, they ended up suffering greater loss, as their plans unraveled. The might of Christ was unveiled, while their impotence and deceit were laid bare. The entire herd plunged into the sea, i.e., beyond the shore. Mark even notes the number of swine involved: approximately two thousand (Mark 5:13). You can interpret this allegorically: demons are expelled from individuals, i.e., those who are rational, and find refuge in the pigs, i.e., those who recklessly indulge in the mire of pleasure and self-destruction.

They had asked for stones to become bread and considered throwing themselves off the temple (Matthew 4:3, 5-6), but the Lord did not heed them. Their answer is that all things seek their own kind. Demons are inherently unclean, as indicated when the Lord commanded the unclean spirit to depart from the man (Mark 5:8). Pigs too are deemed unclean, as they wallow in filth, and their flesh was considered impure in the Old Testament. Thus, the demons sought entry into swine, the unclean entering the unclean.

Chrysologus further elaborates, pointing out that the demons desire to reside in filthy animals, for they have an affinity for impurity. Augustine responds to the second question by stating that Christ commanded the demons to enter the swine to demonstrate that they inhabit those who indulge in disgraceful acts, just as pigs revel in filth. Those who lead lives of moral corruption truly mirror the swine. As St. Chrysostom aptly states, fleshly indulgence can deeply degrade a person, rendering them akin to swine. In such individuals, the devil takes residence: those swamped in vice exhibit the same brazen, frenzied evil as the demon-possessed. Wherever impurity exists, the presence of a demon is likely.

I recall an account from Prosper about a maiden from Arabia, who dwelled in Carthage and donned monastic attire. Upon gazing at a crude image of the pagan goddess Venus, she was led to harbor sinful thoughts. Her prolonged enjoyment of these thoughts led to the possession by an unclean spirit, which tormented her. Even intended impurity can quickly become a refuge for the devil! How much worse are the consequences of actions? This serves as a warning for all, encouraging us to avoid impurity lest we become victims of it: "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). May we honor those who have suffered death for the sake of purity.

The demons pleaded with Jesus, “If You cast us out, send us into the swine.” He replied simply, “Go” (Matthew 8:31, 32). While it is uncomfortable to discuss demons and pigs, such is the urgent message of today’s holy Gospel. In this Gospel account, we must not ignore its implications. Let us consider why the demons requested to enter the pigs, and why the Lord permitted this, rather than forbidding it. The conversation is, indeed, a matter of utmost importance, reflecting our urgency for God’s grace.

It is remarkable that the demons sought permission from Christ to inhabit swine, and even more curious that He granted their request. Instead of desiring entry into majestic animals, they preferred the dishonor of pigs. The Lord, instead of rejecting their request as He had previously done, now allowed it. The demons are drawn to the swine, much like all creatures are attracted to their own kind, revealing their inherent nature. As explained by the Lord in the Gospel of Mark, the unclean spirit is to depart from man (Mark 5:8), while pigs too are classified as unclean, commonly residing in filth, and prohibited from consumption in the Old Testament. Thus, demons, desiring to mimic their own filthy kind, implore to enter into swine.

The holy teachers of the Church interpret the swine as a representation of those who indulge in sinful pleasures, comparing them to men who wallow in moral degradation. St. Chrysostom remarked that unbridled sensuality degrades humanity. Just as pigs immerse themselves in mud, so too do sinners become entrenched in their vices. This metaphor extends to the condition of a sinner: they yield to temptation and become overwhelmed by their own corrupt actions. When a sinner contemplates their morality, they may groan with remorse, recognizing their own inner turmoil. The demons’ request to enter the pigs represents their desire to dwell in the hearts of sinners, who showcase lives of indulgence akin to that of pigs.

Furthermore, the Lord’s response, permitting the demons to descend into the swine, illustrates His authority and the severity of their dominion over those who live unrighteously. Augustine reflects that this incident exemplifies the extent to which demons reign over individuals living in sin, and serves as a stark reminder of God’s righteous judgment: “For God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers” (Hebrews 13:4). The devil not only oversees but exerts control over those who directly oppose God through their behavior, as the apostle affirms that “he who commits sin is of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

The relationship between the devil and idolaters similarly points to a form of servitude; those who indulge in bodily sins place themselves as subservient to the evil one. The Apostle’s words illustrate the grave situation of those who turn the grace of God into disgrace and abandon Christ for their passions (Jude 1:4). This perversion of the divine grace bestowed upon Christians through baptism leads them into slavery to sin, demonstrated through deeds of impurity. Thus, the one who enacts such vile acts becomes akin to an idolater, consumed by their lusts and desires, with demons residing within them as their true masters.

As noted in accounts of early Christian teachings, a certain maiden attracted the attention of a wicked demon following her indulgence in sinful thoughts after witnessing an immoral idol. This interplay between idolatry and sinful actions exemplifies a tragic transition into demonic possession. When sin festers in the heart, it inevitably leads to a dwelling of evil within. We are further reminded to be vigilant regarding our thoughts and actions lest we invite the spirit of degradation into our lives. By allowing demons to enter the swine, the Lord unequivocally illustrates His divine retribution on sinners. The actions of the demons serve to highlight the severe consequences of wicked behavior, rendering a vivid reminder of their debilitating grip on those who stray.

Ultimately, this narrative culminates in demonstrating how Christ exposes dark deeds to the light, intertwining His call to righteousness with the divine authority He wields. The sheer gravity of serving sinful desires compels us to heed the warning against living a life entrapped within sin, as the Lord stands ready to administer justice against unrepentant hearts.

Let us seek repentance and a heartfelt return to God’s grace, as we strive to live righteous lives and honor the call to purity. Amen.

Throughout history, God has enacted judgment upon sinners and upheld the righteous, as evidenced by the great flood, the destruction of cities, and the annihilation of entire nations; thus, we should not question why His justice permitted the loss endured by the swine owners. In the city of Gergesenes existed both Gentiles and Hebrews. It is possible that the Hebrews, influenced by the Gentiles with whom they cohabited, not only tended to swine but also consumed swine’s flesh, thereby violating the law of Moses. In this manner, through instruction and discipline, they were justly chastised. It is important to note that the demons’ entry into the swine caused the miracle to gain notoriety and widespread attention, proving to be exceedingly beneficial. The swineherds, witnessing the affliction of their pigs, spread the word of the divine power displayed by this miracle worker far and wide.

Thus, as the power of Christ compelled them, the demons exited the afflicted individuals and entered the herd of swine. Immediately, in a frenzy of fury, the entire multitude of pigs—exceeding two thousand as recorded by St. Mark—plunged down a steep slope into the sea and perished in the waters. Such is the nature of evil: it conspires and ultimately leads to its own destruction; mad, blind, and self-destructive, it only seeks to annihilate and prefers to perish alongside the ruin it instigates. The dark spirits, in their vehement animosity towards the Light of the World—Christ—sought to incite the people against Him. Blessed Theophylact observes that through the destruction of the swine, the demons aimed to provoke sorrow in their keepers, hoping they would reject Christ. Chrysostom adds that if the demons did not spare the pigs, they would have inflicted even greater harm upon humans, were it not for the restraining hand of God’s providence.

But why did the Lord permit the pigs to perish? For the same reason that He allows the death of livestock, natural disasters, and other calamities: to teach humanity that the soul is infinitely more valuable than countless herds of swine, and that in caring for their livestock, people often neglect their own souls. By taking away the swine, He seemed to convey to the Gergesenes: you indulge your passions and satisfy your flesh like these pigs; behold what such fleshly service can lead to: the demons that possess your souls will lead you to ruin, much like these swine.

Chrysostom expresses that the demons strive to drive men to despair, taking delight in their downfall. This mirrors the ordeal faced by Job, but in God’s mercy, He elevated His faithful servant and turned the tables on the devil. Ultimately, the Lord permitted the destruction of these unclean creatures to rebuke the Sadducees, who, of course, must have heard of this miracle; their disbelief in the existence of unseen spirits highlighted by the miracle of the demon-possessed raised the question: who compelled two thousand pigs to leap into the sea?

Chrysostom notes that where the Lord’s name was recognized, He often did not reveal Himself fully; yet in places where He was unknown, He performed wondrous miracles to lead people to an understanding of His divinity. However, the inhabitants of Gergesa were unworthy of such signs, as demonstrated by the subsequent events in their story.

Additionally, it was Jesus’ intention to send the formerly demon-possessed man back to his home to share the testimony of the miracle he had experienced. This messenger, who would inspire faith in the Gentiles, needed to be entirely convinced that the evil spirits had definitively left him. It was essential for him to have clear evidence of this; thus, the demons' request to enter the herd of pigs, followed by the sudden demise of the previously carefree herd, coincided with the man's complete transformation, leaving no doubt in him that he was genuinely freed from the clutches of evil spirits.

In response to the concern over the loss to the pig owners, we find insight in Job's words: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away" (Job 1:21). Can we truly label the pigs’ death as a loss? This incident was precisely what drew the people from the nearby villages and the town to Jesus; without it, they might not have encountered Him or believed the man who returned home, claiming liberation from evil spirits through Jesus’ authority. The faith that eventually developed in Christ, though not immediate, is a profound gain for the soul that far surpasses any material loss suffered from the pigs’ demise.

Another pertinent question arises: Why did the demons lead the pigs to their drowning? This question is addressed by the response to the previous one, with the addition that the pigs were not forcibly drowned by the demons' will. Some scholars suggest that the pigs, sensing a new and overwhelming power that clashed with the demons' influence, plunged themselves into the sea. However, we believe it was ultimately God’s design that they acted as they did.