What does Matthew 8:32 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 8:32 recounts an event in which Jesus Christ performed a miracle of exorcism, transferring a legion of demons from two possessed individuals into a herd of swine.

The verse captures the climax of the account, portraying the immediate and dramatic reaction of the swine upon being inhabited by the demons.

The herd rushes down a steep bank and perishes in the waters.

Literally, this verse illustrates Jesus's authority over demons and the natural world, demonstrating His power by allowing the unclean spirits to enter unclean animals, the pigs, which then meet their destruction in the sea.

On a deeper level, the destruction of the swine can be seen as symbolic of the fate that awaits evil: self-destruction and removal from the presence of righteousness.

Historical Context

This event is situated in the region of the Gadarenes, also known as Gerasenes, which is on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Swineherding was an occupation that was common among Gentiles but was regarded as unclean by Jews, who did not eat pork as per the Mosaic Law.

This setting outside of Jewish territory may explain the presence of a large herd of swine, something typically not found within Jewish lands.

The account reflects the antagonism between Jewish purity laws and Gentile practices of the era.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this incident offers several insights:

• Demonology: It acknowledges the existence of demons and Jesus's authority over them.
• Salvation: It displays Jesus's willingness to save, even at the cost of economic loss (the swine were valuable property).
• Purity: For the Jewish audience, the event symbolically aligns with concepts of ritual cleanliness, as the impure spirits are cast into impure animals.
• Symbolism: The sea often symbolizes chaos and evil in biblical literature, and the drowning of the swine could be seen as the restoration of order and the defeat of evil.

Different denominational viewpoints might emphasize various aspects of the event.

Some might see it as a literal historical event informing principles of spiritual warfare, while others might focus more on its symbolic meaning.

Practical Applications

Contemporary readers can derive various practical applications:

• Authority of Christ: Believers can find comfort in the authority of Jesus over evil forces.
• Purity: The importance of spiritual purity and removing oneself from evil influences.
• Value of a Soul: The encounter shows Jesus valuing human deliverance over material wealth, a principle relevant to ethical and moral decisions.

Cross-References

• Demon-Possessed Man: Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39, detailing the same or similar events.
• Jesus's Authority: Matthew 28:18 - "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
• Unclean Animals: Leviticus 11:7 - "And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you."

Language Study

The key Greek words include:

• "εἶπεν" (eipen): "He said", indicating Christ's commanding speech.
• "ὕπαγε" (hypage): Translated as "Go", a command given with authority.
• "χοίρων" (choirōn): "Of swine", denoting the unclean animals per Jewish law.
• "ὥρμησεν" (hormēsen): "Ran violently", conveying the intense reaction of the swine.

These words emphasize the authoritative command of Jesus and the immediate response from the possessed animals.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, stories of spirits, gods, and supernatural beings interacting with animals and humans were commonplace.

The concept of unclean animals housing evil spirits has parallels in many animistic traditions where specific animals are often associated with unclean or evil forces.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings typically do not recognize the existence of demonic beings influencing physical realities.

The narrative could be interpreted as an ancient understanding of psychological disorders, though such a view does not account for the reaction of the swine.

Animal behaviorists may study the phenomenon of herd behavior to provide explanations for the swine's actions, albeit without the spiritual context.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse with different emphases:

• Augustine: Suggested the event was as much a deliverance for the possessed men as it was a judgment upon the demons.
• Martin Luther: Pointed to this account as evidence of the real and active presence of evil in the world.
• Modern Scholars: Some modern scholars may debate the historicity of the event but still recognize its symbolic significance in the Gospel narrative.

Commentaries often indicate the multifaceted implications of this account, from historicity and spirituality to symbolic representations of good versus evil.