Luke 8:26-39

2. The deliverance of a demoniac in Gadara 8:26-39 (cf. Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20)

The raging of this demoniac was even worse than the raging of the waters of Galilee (cf. Psalms 65:7). Demonic power was evident in the Hellenistic world of Luke’s original readers. The fact that this incident happened in predominantly Gentile territory suggests that Luke may have seen in it a preview of the church’s ministry to Gentiles (cf. Acts 26:18). In his account of this incident Luke stressed the saving of the man (Luke 8:36), the fear of the spectators (Luke 8:37), and the abyss as the final destiny of the demons (Luke 8:31). As Jesus had calmed the sea, He now calmed this demon-afflicted man.