Luke 8 36

Luke 8:36 kjv

They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

Luke 8:36 nkjv

They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.

Luke 8:36 niv

Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured.

Luke 8:36 esv

And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed.

Luke 8:36 nlt

Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 36 Meaning

Luke 8:36 describes the crucial act of witnessing and reporting by those who had directly observed Jesus' miracle of healing the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. It emphasizes that these eyewitnesses recounted to the local inhabitants the specific manner in which the man, formerly under the profound influence of a multitude of demons, had been entirely delivered and made whole by the power of Christ. This verse serves as a declaration of the verified truth of Jesus's authority over spiritual darkness and the tangible reality of His transformative work.

Luke 8 36 Context

Luke 8:36 immediately follows Jesus' remarkable healing of the Gerasene demoniac, an event detailed in Luke 8:26-35. Jesus arrives in the Gentile region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, per parallels) and encounters a man severely afflicted by a multitude of demons, living in tombs and uncontrollable by human restraint. Jesus, through His divine authority, casts the "Legion" of demons out of the man and into a herd of about 2,000 pigs, which then rush down a steep bank and drown in the lake. The swineherds, witnessing this astonishing and terrifying event, flee to the nearby town and countryside to report what happened. The local inhabitants, upon hearing this news, come out to see for themselves and find the previously tormented man "sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind" (Lk 8:35). Verse 36 confirms that the very people who had witnessed the dramatic exorcism then relayed the detailed account to those who had just arrived, underscoring the objective truth of the man's complete deliverance. This setting highlights Jesus' unparalleled authority over demonic forces and anticipates the mixed reactions of astonishment, fear, and even rejection that His miracles often provoked.

Luke 8 36 Word analysis

• And (καὶ, kai): A simple conjunction connecting the prior actions of the swineherds fleeing (Lk 8:34) and the townspeople coming out (Lk 8:35) to the direct testimony of the eyewitnesses. It signifies continuity in the narrative flow.
• they that saw it (οἱ ἰδόντες, hoi idontes): Literally "the ones having seen." This phrase emphasizes the firsthand nature of their experience. These are the immediate witnesses, likely including the swineherds, who were present for the entire miraculous encounter from the moment Jesus commanded the demons. Their direct observation lends authenticity and credibility to their report, fulfilling the biblical importance of eyewitness testimony for verifying truth (cf. Deut 19:15).
• told (ἀπήγγειλαν, apēngeilan): An aorist indicative verb meaning "they reported," "they announced," or "they delivered a message." It implies a formal or decisive report, not just a casual conversation. It signifies the spreading of an important piece of information, likely with a sense of awe or urgency given the dramatic nature of the event. This action is crucial for disseminating the knowledge of Jesus' power.
• them (αὐτοῖς, autois): Refers to the people of the region who came out from the towns and country to see what had happened (Lk 8:34-35). These are the curious, likely fearful, members of the community who had previously known the demoniac and heard of the commotion.
• how (πῶς, pōs): This adverb means "how" or "in what way." It's not just that the man was healed, but the witnesses recounted the manner of his healing, which would necessarily include the interaction with the demons, their request to enter the pigs, and the subsequent drowning of the pigs. This detail provides insight into the dramatic and undeniable method of his deliverance. It highlights the process of the miracle, underscoring its uniqueness and supernatural origin.
• he that was possessed of the devils (ὁ δαιμονισθεὶς, ho daimonistheis): Literally "the demonized one" or "the one who had been demon-possessed." This past participle phrase emphasizes the man's former, grievous state. It clearly identifies the recipient of the healing and starkly contrasts his former tormented condition with his new state. The original Greek uses a single, powerful term (daimonistheis) that directly labels him as having been controlled by demonic forces, highlighting the magnitude of the spiritual bondage he endured.
• was healed (ἐσώθη, esōthē): A significant verb in the New Testament. It is the aorist passive form of sōzō (σῴζω), which means "to save," "to heal," "to deliver," or "to make whole." While it definitely refers to physical and mental restoration from the demonic affliction in this context, the root meaning carries broader theological implications of salvation and spiritual wholeness. The use of sōzō here is profound: the man was not just cured of a disease but "saved" from a condition of utter destruction, restored to sanity and community, signifying both spiritual and physical deliverance from the enemy's grip. It conveys a complete and profound transformation, pointing to Jesus as the deliverer from all forms of bondage.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And they that saw it told them": This phrase highlights the importance of credible testimony. Those with direct knowledge actively disseminated the information to the broader community, initiating the process of verifying the miracle and establishing its truth in the minds of the people. This demonstrates the evangelistic ripple effect of witnessing God's power.
• "how he that was possessed of the devils was healed": This central part conveys the complete story: not only that the healing happened but the way it happened, providing specific, undeniable details that attested to the extraordinary nature of Jesus' authority over an extensive and powerful demonic legion. The phrase vividly contrasts the man's previous terrifying condition ("possessed of the devils") with his complete and effective restoration ("was healed" – a comprehensive saving). It emphasizes the dramatic shift from spiritual oppression and chaos to freedom and soundness of mind, underscoring the deep impact of Christ's intervention.

Luke 8 36 Bonus section

• The Gerasene demoniac miracle showcases Jesus' absolute dominion over the most entrenched forms of evil, even those seemingly beyond human help. This power extends to a "legion," indicating a vast number and organized hierarchy of demonic forces.
• The detail of how the man was healed – involving the pigs and their destruction – served as undeniable proof. The cost of the miracle (the lost pigs) was a stark and visible consequence that amplified the reality of the spiritual deliverance, compelling the eyewitnesses to describe it with precision.
• The term "was healed" (esōthē) transcends mere physical recovery. In the biblical sense, to be "saved" often implies a holistic deliverance—from danger, from sin, and from spiritual bondage, leading to a state of wholeness and salvation. For the Gerasene man, this meant salvation from a life of misery and separation, into a state of restored sanity, dignity, and a clear purpose to proclaim Christ (Lk 8:39).
• The fear exhibited by the locals after hearing the account points to a common reaction to profound encounters with God's holiness and power. It was an unsettling revelation for them, as Jesus' presence demonstrated a power that transcended their control and expectations, ultimately leading them to reject rather than embrace His presence.

Luke 8 36 Commentary

Luke 8:36 functions as a critical moment of validation in the narrative of the Gerasene demoniac's healing. It establishes that the miraculous transformation was not hidden but witnessed by objective observers, primarily the swineherds who understood the cause of the pigs' demise. These individuals became vital conveyors of truth, recounting to the amazed and fearful crowds precisely how the previously tormented man was delivered. Their report, using the precise Greek term esōthē (was saved/healed/made whole), speaks to the profound and total restoration the man experienced – from utterly controlled and outcast to fully restored in his mind and body. This verifiability underscores Jesus' authority over spiritual forces and death, emphasizing His capacity to bring complete liberation.

Paradoxically, despite the clear evidence, the local inhabitants reacted with fear and requested Jesus to depart (Lk 8:37), valuing their economic interests over divine intervention and the man's restoration. This highlights how genuine miracles, while validating Jesus' identity, do not always lead to universal belief or embrace, but can also expose human self-interest and spiritual blindness. The verse thus sets up the dramatic tension between Jesus' liberating power and humanity's mixed response to it.