Matthew 8:28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:28-34

Demoniacal possession. The personality of devils or demons has been called in question, and the examples of demoniacal possession recorded in Scripture have been construed as cases of insanity. But the narrative before us refuses to be thus treated. Here clearly are intelligences who can know, reason, speak, and pray, and who can exist separately from the subject of possession, and after expulsion from men can enter and possess inferior animals. Note— I. THAT DEVILS ARE FORMIDABLE... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 8:28-34

The same account of the demoniacs substantially is found in Mark 5:1-20, and Luke 8:26-38.Matthew 8:28The other side - The other side of the Sea of Tiberias.Country of the Gergesenes - Mark Mark 5:1 says that he came into the country of the “Gadarenes.” This difference is only apparent.“Gadara” was a city not far from the Lake Gennesareth, one of the ten cities that were called “Decapolis.” See the notes at Matthew 4:25. “Gergesa” was a city about 12 miles to the southeast of Gadara, and about... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 8:28

Matthew 8:28. And when he was come to the other side, &c. This history is related by Mark 5:1-4, &c.; and by Luke 8:26-27, more at large than here by Matthew: and they report it to be done in the country of the Gadarenes, who, it is evident, were the same people with those called here Gergesenes; Gadara and Gergesa being towns near each other, and the country between them taking its name indifferently from either place. There met him two possessed with devils St. Mark and St. Luke... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 8:28-34

58. Demon power overcome at Gadara (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)Another place that Jesus visited was the district to the east and south of the Lake of Galilee known as Gadara. The people were mainly Gentiles and were known as Gadarenes (sometimes as Gerasenes, after the chief town of the district, or even Gergesenes, after another local town) (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1). Jesus was met there by a man whose body had been cruelly taken over by demons. To release the man from his... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 8:28

when He was come. This miracle of the two demoniacs was not the same as that recorded in Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-40 . Here, there were two men; in the later miracle there was one ; here, they landed opposite the place whence they set sail (Gergesenes); there, the Gadarenes (not Gadera) not opposite; here, no name is asked; there, the name is "Legion"; here, no bonds used; there, many; here, the two were not afterwards used, and the Twelve not yet called; there, the one man was used, and... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 8:28

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two possessed with demons, coming forth out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man could pass by that way.Gadara was one of the ten cities of Decapolis ("ten-cities"), all but one of which were east of the Jordan river. The ensuing wonder about to be performed upon the city's most notorious derelict was well calculated to provide a sensational witness of Christ's glory throughout the entire section.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 8:28

Matthew 8:28. And when he was come to the other side— The storm being hushed, they came to land. St. Matthew says, in the country of Girgasa, or of the Gergasenes; St. Mark and Luke, in the country of Gadara; but the Evangelists do not differ here; if, as it is probable, the one gives us the general name of the country, the other the denomination of a particular spot only; though indeed there is no necessity for this supposition, as many manuscripts and versions of great authority read... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 8:1-34

A. Demonstrations of the King’s power 8:1-9:34Matthew described Jesus’ ministry as consisting of teaching, preaching, and healing in Matthew 4:23. Chapters 5-7 record what He taught His disciples: principles of the kingdom. We have the essence of His preaching ministry in Matthew 4:17. Now in Matthew 8:1 to Matthew 9:34 we see His healing ministry. He demonstrated authority over human beings, unseen spiritual powers, and the world of nature. Matthew showed that Jesus’ ability proves that He is... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 8:28

Gadara was the regional capital of the Decapolis area that lay southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Its population was strongly Gentile. This may account for the presence of many swine there (Matthew 8:30). The Gadara region stretched west to the Sea of Galilee. This was the country of the Gadarenes.Mark and Luke mentioned only one man, but Matthew said there were two (Mark 5:2; Luke 8:27). Mark and Luke evidently mentioned the more prominent one. Perhaps Matthew mentioned both of them because the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 8:28-34

Jesus’ deliverance of a demoniac in Gadara 8:28-34 (cf. Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)The central theme of this incident is Jesus’ authority over evil spirits. Though Matthew previously mentioned Jesus’ reputation as an exorcist (Matthew 4:24; Matthew 8:16), this is the first of five exorcisms that he narrated (cf. Matthew 9:32-33; Matthew 12:22; Matthew 15:21-28; Matthew 17:14-20). read more

Group of Brands