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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 8:30-32

Matthew 8:30-32. And there was a good way off from them That is, at a considerable distance, although, it seems, within their view; a herd of many swine Which it was not lawful for the Jews to keeps much less to eat: yet great numbers of them were bred up in that extreme part of the country, out of regard to the gain of such merchandise, for they sold them to the Roman soldiers, and other Gentiles, who were very numerous in these parts. So the devils besought him For they were entirely... 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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 8:31

And the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.This shows that the emissaries of Satan are restricted and may not enter even a herd of swine without the Lord's permission. Other restrictions of Satan are given in 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Matthew 13:25. This request of the demons is a prayer of sorts and indicates that God may indeed answer any prayer that is in harmony with His will, regardless of the wickedness of the petitioner. Thus, he permitted... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 8:30-32

Matthew 8:30-32. And there was a good way off—many swine, &c.— Instead of a good way off, Dr. Doddridge reads at a considerable distance,—at some distance;—and by comparing Mar 5:11 and Luk 8:32 it will be found, that this is the true meaning of the word μακραν . St. Mark says, that there were about two thousand in the herd of swine; which will not seem strange, if it be considered that the generality of the inhabitants of that country were Gentiles. The devils, no doubt, requested... 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 8:28-34

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 8:30-31

The presence of so many pigs may have been due to Jewish disobedience to the Mosaic Law since for Jews pigs where unclean. However this is unlikely since the Jewish leaders were very particular about such flagrant violations of the Law. Probably they belonged to Gentiles who lived in large numbers in the Decapolis where this story took place.The demons may have requested asylum in the swine because they hated the creatures and or because they wanted to stir up trouble for Jesus. Demons do not... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 8:1-34

The Leper Cleansed. The Centurion’s Servant Healed. Healing of Peter’s Wife’s Mother and many others. Stilling of the Tempest. Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs1-4. Cleansing of the leper (Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12). No natural explanation of this miracle is possible. Leprosy has always been, and is still, one of the most intractable diseases. Under the Mosiac Law lepers were regarded as unclean and excluded entirely from human society: see Leviticus 13, 14, and notes. Considered as a parable this... read more

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