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Scott's Reference Library
Luke 8:26-39
Sunday Between June 19 and 25 (Proper 7) C (Gospel) June 21, 1998
Luke 8:26-39
They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. [27]
When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long
time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. [28]
When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice,
"What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture
me!" [29] For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times
it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had
broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.
[30] Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. [31] And they
begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
[32] A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to
let them go into them, and he gave them permission. [33] When the demons came out of the
man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and
was drowned.
[34] When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in
the town and countryside, [35] and the people went out to see what had happened. When they
came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus'
feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. [36] Those who had seen it told
the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. [37] Then all the people of the
region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear.
So he got into the boat and left.
[38] The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him
away, saying, [39] "Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the
man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
(NIV)
Luke 8:22-40 (Christ stilleth the tempest and casteth out devils)
Those that put to sea in a calm, even at Christ’s word, must yet prepare for a storm, and for great peril in that storm. There is no relief for souls under a sense of guilt, and fear of wrath, but to go to Christ, and call him Master, and say, I am undone, if thou dost not help me. When our dangers are over, it becomes us to take to ourselves the shame of our own fears, and to give Christ the glory of our deliverance. We may learn much out of this history concerning the world of infernal, malignant spirits, which though not working now exactly in the same way as then, yet all must at all times carefully guard against. And these malignant spirits are very numerous. They have enmity to man and all his comforts. Those under Christ’s government are sweetly led with the bands of love; those under the devil’s government are furiously driven. Oh what a comfort it is to the believer, that all the powers of darkness are under the control of the Lord Jesus! It is a miracle of mercy, if those whom Satan possesses, are not brought to destruction and eternal ruin. Christ will not stay with those who slight him; perhaps he may no more return to them, while others are waiting for him, and glad to receive him.
(Matthew Henry Concise Commentary)