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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 8:28-34

We have here the story of Christ's casting the devils out of two men that were possessed. The scope of this chapter is to show the divine power of Christ, by the instances of his dominion over bodily diseases, which to us are irresistible; over winds and waves, which to us are yet more uncontrollable; and lastly, over devils, which to us are most formidable of all. Christ has not only all power in heaven and earth and all deep places, but has the keys of hell too. Principalities and powers... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 8:1-34

Of all the gospel writers Matthew is the most orderly. He never sets out his material haphazardly. If in Matthew one thing follows another in a certain sequence, there is always a reason for that sequence; and it is so here. In Matthew 5:1-48 ; Matthew 6:1-34 ; Matthew 7:1-29 Matthew has given us the Sermon on the Mount. That is to say, in these chapters he has given us his account of the words of Jesus; and now in Matthew 8:1-34 he gives us an account of the deeds of Jesus. Matthew... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 8:29

And behold they cried out, saying ,.... This is an instance and proof, of the wonderful power of Christ over the devils; and has therefore the note of admiration, "behold!" prefixed to it, that the devils themselves who had took possession of these men, and made them so fierce and cruel, and outrageous, that there was no passing the way for them; yet upon the sight of Christ, and especially at hearing his orders to come out from them, not only say, but cry out, as being in great... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 8:29

What have we to do with thee - The literal translation of τι ημιν και σοι , is, What is it to us and to thee; which perhaps might be understood to imply their disclaiming any design to interfere with the work of Christ, and that he should not therefore meddle with them; for it appears they exceedingly dreaded his power. What have we to do with thee, is a Jewish phrase, which often occurs in the Old Testament, signifying an abrupt refusal of some request, or a wish not to be troubled with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 8:29

Verse 29 Matthew 8:29.What have we to do with thee? Willingly would they, by this word, drive him far from them. But when they see that they are held under restraint, and that it is in vain for them to decline his authority, they complain that they are tormented before the time, and likewise mingle entreaty. Thus we see that the devils breathe nothing but rebellion against God; and yet, with all their swelling pride, they are crushed and fall in a moment: for their malice and obstinacy, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:1-34

MESSIAH 'S WORK AS COMPLEMENTARY TO HIS TEACHING . We return in this section to matter which resembles that of Mark and Luke, and undoubtedly belongs to the Framework ( vide Introduction). St. Matthew has given a lengthy summary of the teaching of the Christ, and he now supplements it by a summary of his daily work. He is not concerned with the chronological connexion of the incidents here narrated, for this is evidently to him a matter of but secondary importance. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:28-34

The Gadarene demoniacs. Parallel passages: Mark 5:1-20 ; Luke 8:26-39 , where see full notes. Matthew is much less detailed. Matthew mentions two demoniacs; the parallel passages, one; the reason may be either that one was less fierce than the other, or that only one came from Gerasa (Nosgen). But in our present knowledge of the extent of inspiration, we cannot confidently affirm that the evangelists were kept from errors in numbers, and that the addition of the second demoniac is not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:28-34

The country of the Gergesenes. I. THE DEMONIACS . 1 . Their description. There were two—one fiercer, more violent, than the other. Satan's power has been broken; the incarnation of the Son of God, the atonement made upon the cross, has weakened his hold upon men. "I beheld Satan like lightning fall from heaven." The times were very evil when the Saviour came. Satan was the prince of this world, the ruler of this world's darkness. His power is still very terrible, but it is not what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:29

And, behold . This probably seemed to the evangelist not the least of the many strange things that he introduced by this phrase. They cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee? ( τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί ; דלו ונל הם , frequent in the Old Testament, e.g. 2 Samuel 16:10 ). What community either of interest or of character? The deepest realization of personal sinfulness may coexist with absolute ignorance of the Divine love. Jesus . Omitted by the Revised Version... read more

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