Matthew 8:28-34

Introduction

English Standard Version Chapter 8

Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons

28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

During our last two times together we repeatedly eluded to this final passage of chapter 8. This whole chain of events began with Jesus standing along a road in Capernaum near the shore of the Sea of Galilee surrounded by a crowd of followers, and shortly thereafter he directs his disciples to get into the boat and head to the other side of the lake. He’s initially delayed by two disciples but eventually climbs into the boat and begins his journey across the Sea of Galilee.

And last week we specifically looked at Matthew’s account of their trip across the lake, and how they were met with a fierce storm that was swamping the boat, happening all while Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. Then the disciples cry out to Jesus for help, and after rebuking his disciples for a lack of faith, he stands and rebukes the winds and the waves that were determined to sink their boat, and his disciples are left marveling at the power and authority of their Lord.

Matthew’s Intention

And so today we pickup that chain of events after Jesus and his disciples have arrived safely on the other side of the lake. Matthew tells us here in verse 28 that,

English Standard Version Chapter 8

when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.

This particular story, like many of the others up to this point, is also found in both Mark and Luke’s Gospels (which we’ll look at later), and compared to their accounts Matthew here gives us a far less detailed narrative. Now, at previous times I’ve mentioned that this is often the case because of the differing intentions of the different authors for recording these same events. As we’ve pointed out already Matthew’s overarching intention here in chapters 8 and 9 is to demonstrate the divine nature of Jesus by showing us over and over again examples of his unparalleled power and authority, which I think will be clearly seen, yet again, today in this account.

Country of the Gadarenes

So here we are on the other side of the Sea of Galilee in the country of the Gadarenes. Now if you were to compare the other two Gospel accounts you might notice that Mark and Luke instead call this the country of the Gerasenes. These are references to ancient cities located on the far southeastern side of the lake that were a part of the political region known as Decapolis. If you were to look at a historical map the Sea of Galilee is surrounded by several of these regions (or districts), and most prominently referenced in the Scriptures is the district of Galilee which is where Jesus is from (it includes towns like Nazareth and Capernaum on the western and northern sides of the lake), and the other is Decapolis which is located largely on the southern and eastern sides of the lake [and includes towns like Gadara (GAD uh ruh) and Gerasa (GEHR uh suh)], which is the general area that all three Gospel writers are referencing.

and Gerasa).

Now there’s been plenty of debate over the last 1,800 years as to exactly where in the general area that this account took place, and likely the most popular theory is that this story actually took place further north on the eastern shore of the lake in a place called Gergesa (GUHR guh suh) located near the Golan Heights. There’s no hard archeological evidence that this is where the disciples meant, but the geographical location seems far more plausible to some. For instance, it’s only a 7-8 mile journey to Gergesa from Capernaum, whereas to travel to the southern shore would nearly double the trip distance.

located near the modern day Golan Heights. There’s no hard evidence that this is where the disciples meant, but the geographical location seems far more plausible to some. It’s only a 7-8 mile journey to Gergesa, whereas to travel to the southern shore would nearly double trip distance.

However, despite Gergesa’s (GUHR guh suh’s) more plausible location, all of the earliest manuscripts of Matthew, Mark and Luke point to the area of Gadara (GAD uh ruh) and Gerasa (GEHR uh suh) as the location of this miracle. Now, the reason why the biblical authors differ even between these two towns is likely because of their expected audience and that different audiences would have recognized the same area by one name better than another.

All that being said there’s no

Demon-possessed men

So here we are on the outskirts of Gadara (GAD uh ruh) near the shore and “two demon-possessed men meet [Jesus], coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.” This text intentionally sets us up to see Jesus’ response to these two demon-possessed men who are living in these tombs, which were probably caves along a hillside. Now, Matthew tells us that these men were “so fierce that not one could pass that way.” In fact, in Mark’s Gospel we read that these men had often been bound with shackles and chains, and that they had wrenched the chains apart, and that they had broken the shackles into pieces, that no one had the strength to subdue them. These men had generated so much fear among the people that no one would even pass by, yet here we have Jesus passing by with these two demon-possessed men coming out to meet him.

We read there in verse 29,

Outside of the city of Gadara near the shore of the lake there are caves that could have been used as tombs and there are several embankments of which the

English Standard Version Chapter 8

29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

or as Mark records it in chapter 5 of his Gospel,

English Standard Version Chapter 5

“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

So rather than fear on the part of Jesus, the situation is reversed, these demon-possessed men are instead afraid of him.

Now, what we should also notice, is their immediate recognition of who Jesus is. They call him “Jesus, Son of the Most High God.” Now, I pointed this out during our last time together, that the power and authority that Jesus exhibited on the Sea of Galilee when he rebuked the wind and the waves was intended to communicate to us the divine nature of Jesus, that he is no mere man, but God in the flesh.

And what’s incredible about this situation is that the demons recognize this without hesitation, in fact, they know who he is before he’s even lifted a finger, before he’s performed a single miracle. This is actually problematic for Jesus at times. If you’ll remember just a few verses early in , when Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever, that later that evening, at sundown, that the people brought to Jesus all who were sick and oppressed by demons. Well, in Mark’s account of that very same situation he says this,

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34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Jesus’ Divinity

Jesus’ divinity was veiled by his humanity, and while it took the disciples a while to really get this, the demons remained fully aware of who he was. It’s why they pleaded with him to not torment them, to not send them into the abyss before the appointed time of judgement. In fact, both here in Matthew and in Luke’s Gospel they beg him not to torment them.

It’s also why they bring up the coming Day of Judgement. They’re reminding Jesus that while he has the ability to send them to hell, that God’s appointed time of judgement has not yet come, and so they hope that this will convince Jesus to restrain his power and authority to send them into the abyss. It’s also why they immediately provide him with an alternative before Jesus has even opened his mouth. We read there in verse 31,

In fact, both here in Matthew and in Luke’s Gospel they beg him, and it’s also why they bring up the Day of Judgement. They’re reminding Jesus that while he has the ability to send them to hell, that God’s appointed time of judgement has not yet come, and so they hope that this will convince Jesus to restrain his power and authority to send them into the abyss. It’s also why they immediately provide him with an alternative before Jesus has even opened his mouth. We read there in verse 31,

English Standard Version Chapter 8

31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.”

They would rather be sent away into a herd of pigs than be sent into the abyss.

Day of Judgement

Now, I think it’s worth taking notice too of their unflinching recognition of the coming day of judgement, they’re not even in denial that they’ve lost this fight, they get that their time is short. The are fully aware that a day has been set for their punishment. And this really stands in stark contrast to how the world and even many professing Christians treat this appointed day.

The world believes no such day exists, and while many of us believe, we yet live as if no such day is coming. Jesus describes this dynamic in and compares it to the great flood of Noah’s Day, and he says this,

English Standard Version Chapter 24

37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

“They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,” in other words, they were caught up in the ordinary rhythms of life giving no care to God’s appointed day of judgment. They had no concern for their sin, nor for the coming consequences of their sin. They didn’t seek salvation, and despite Noah being a herald of righteousness, they apparently saw no need to give heed his words.

And so it is the same today, like in Noah’s day, a day is coming when all the earth will be judged, when men will be held accountable for every idle word they speak, and if you’re not a believer, well, then thanks be to God, the remedy is clear, repent and trust in Jesus alone for your salvation. His life and death have purchased eternal for those who trust and rely wholly upon him for their salvation from judgement. If you’re a believer, do not become weary, stay awake, and in all vigilance be ready, for you master is at hand.

The Power and Authority of Jesus

Let’s continue there in verse 32,

English Standard Version Chapter 8

32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.

Isn’t it incredible to witness the authority that Jesus has over these demons? He simply says, “Go.” Now, it’s not mentioned here but we discover in both Mark and Luke’s Gospels that Jesus also asks them, “What is your name?” And they reply, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” Now if you don’t already know, a legion in the Roman Empire was approximately 5,000 men strong. So what we see here is that these men are being oppressed by at least 5,000 demons.

Now think about that for a minute, Jesus is up against 5,000 demons and there’s not even a fight, they’re only permitted to beg for a lesser condemnation, to be sent into a heard of pigs rather than the abyss. This is a demonstration of immeasurable power and authority, nothing like the angels possess, or the prophets before him. Moses or Elijah can't hold a candle to likes of Jesus. Jesus has power not only over individual demons, but entire demonic armies with merely a word (the word, "Go").

In fact, later in chapter 26, Jesus eludes to the fact that with a word he could appeal to his Father in heaven and be given twelve legions of angels at his disposal! That's 60,000 angels at his command at the drop of a hat! Remember, this is the Jesus that was asleep in the boat only minutes before. This is why Paul, later, can so easily say, "If God is for us then who can be against us?"

Many of you are probably familiar with the song written by Chris Tomlin called 'Whom Shall I Fear'. A portion of the chorus goes like this,

I know who goes before me

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

I know who stands behind

The God of angels armies

is always by my side

The text here before us this morning brings a whole new weight to those words doesn't it (the God of angel armies)?

The people were afraid

The text here before us this morning brings a whole new weight to those words doesn't it?

So Jesus commands these demons to leave these two men and permits them to enter into this herd of pigs. And apparently, this causes the pigs to run themselves down a steep embankment into the sea and drown themselves in the waters below.

Let’s continue reading there in verse 33,

English Standard Version Chapter 8

33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

So after this herd of some 2,000 pigs (as we’re told elsewhere) drown themselves in the lake the herdsmen flee, presumably back to the city of Gadara (gad-a-ra). They’ve witness not only an incredible miracle at the hands of Jesus but they’ve witnessed their entire heard of swine be decimated by evil spirits. I can only imagine what they told the towns people when they arrived, but no doubt it was more than enough to motivate almost the entire city to come and meet Jesus. And what’s their response? Well, Luke tell us they were terrified, he says,

Now, Decapolis included largely Gentile cities with only sporadic Jewish communities which is why it would have been typical for Jesus to encounter pig herders as is recorded here in Matthew. Pigs were unclean by Jewish law therefore you’ll likely never find Jewish pig farmers.

English Standard Version Chapter 8

35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.

Conclusion

This is the Jesus in whom we worship, he’s God in the flesh. His power and authority are unmatched, and he’s in our boat for those of us who call him Lord. There’s no power or principality that can stay his hand. And as Paul says, if he is for us then who can be against us? So my hope is that we would be often reminded that our God is sovereign over all things, both here on earth and over every spiritual thing in the heavenly places, everything and everyone is under his hand of providence.

Prayer