Matthew 8:29 kjv

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Matthew 8:29 nkjv

And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"

Matthew 8:29 niv

"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"

Matthew 8:29 esv

And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"

Matthew 8:29 nlt

They began screaming at him, "Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God's appointed time?"

Matthew 8 verses

Matthew 8 29 Meaning

Matthew 8:29 reveals the immediate and unsolicited recognition by demonic entities of Jesus' divine identity and absolute authority. The verse highlights their desperate fear of His power to judge and punish them, specifically acknowledging a pre-ordained time for their ultimate torment, and expressing terror that Jesus might inflict it prematurely. This interaction powerfully demonstrates Jesus' sovereignty over the spiritual realm and the reality of a coming divine judgment for evil forces.

Matthew 8 29 Context

Matthew 8:29 is situated immediately after Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount (Ch. 5-7), which demonstrated His authoritative teaching, and after a series of miracles in Chapter 8 that establish His authoritative power. These prior miracles include healing a leper (8:1-4), healing the centurion's servant (8:5-13), healing Peter's mother-in-law and many others at evening (8:14-17). The context of these events highlights Jesus' divine power over physical illness and death.

This specific passage (8:28-34) features Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee into the region of the Gergesenes, a gentile area. Encountering two demon-possessed men, Jesus is confronted by the evil spirits within them. The narrative emphasizes the destructive power of these demons and the isolation of the men they afflicted. The interaction serves to dramatically showcase Jesus' supreme authority not just over physical ailments and nature (as seen in the upcoming calming of the storm in 8:23-27), but critically, over the forces of spiritual darkness themselves. The demons' immediate recognition contrasts sharply with the varying levels of understanding among people.

Historically and culturally, demon possession was a recognized phenomenon in ancient Judaism. While some forms of illness were attributed to natural causes, inexplicable or violent afflictions were often linked to evil spirits. Exorcism was practiced by various individuals and groups, often involving specific rituals or invocations. However, Jesus' exorcisms stand out due to their directness, lack of ritual, and inherent authority. His simple command, unlike other methods, demonstrates that His power is not derived from a higher source but is His own divine attribute. This scene directly counters any belief that demons are beyond God's control or that Jesus lacks authority over such malevolent forces.

Matthew 8 29 Word analysis

• And, behold, (Καὶ ἰδοὺ - Kai idou): An emphatic Greek interjection, used to draw immediate attention to something remarkable or surprising that is about to be revealed. It signals a dramatic or significant moment, highlighting the unexpected appearance or statement of the demons.
• they cried out, (ἔκραξαν - ekraxan): From the verb 'krazō', meaning to shout, cry out loudly, or scream. It suggests an urgent, uncontrolled, desperate, and terrified vocalization, indicative of their extreme distress and fear in Jesus' presence. It implies more than mere speaking; it's a frantic wail.
• saying, (λέγοντες - legontes): A simple present participle, indicating what they were saying.
• What have we to do with thee, (τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί - ti hēmin kai soi): This is a strong Semitic idiom. Literally meaning "What to us and to you?", it conveys a sense of strong dissociation, a demand to be left alone, or a question implying incompatibility: "What business do we have in common?", "We have nothing in common with you," or "Leave us alone!" It suggests a desire to avoid confrontation with one who is of a totally different nature and possesses immense power over them.
• Jesus, thou Son of God? (Ἰησοῦ Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ - Iēsou Huié tou Theou): A profound and uncoerced confession of Jesus' identity, spoken directly by the demons. "Son of God" is a significant messianic and divine title in Jewish and Christian tradition, denoting a unique relationship with God, divine nature, and supreme authority. The fact that the demons recognize and utter this truth, even before many humans, underscores Jesus' true nature and the supernatural insight of these evil entities. It contrasts with human doubt and disbelief.
• art thou come hither (ἦλθες ὧδε - ēlthes hōde): Implies an intentional journey or arrival, indicating that the demons understand Jesus has come to their territory (a Gentile region often associated with paganism) and that His presence there is purposeful, not accidental.
• to torment us (βασανίσαι ἡμᾶς - basanisai hēmas): 'Basanisai' derives from 'basanizō', which means to torture, torment, distress severely, or vex. It suggests a future of acute suffering or punishment. The demons acknowledge a painful destiny awaiting them, highlighting the reality of divine justice.
• before the time? (πρὸ καιροῦ - pro kairou): This is a critical phrase. 'Kairou' refers to a fixed or appointed time, an opportune season, or the pre-ordained moment. The demons implicitly acknowledge that there is a destined time for their ultimate and final judgment, when they will face torment. Their question indicates their fear that Jesus' presence might accelerate or prematurely initiate this definitive and inescapable judgment, before its divinely appointed hour. This suggests they are not yet in their final state of punishment, but dread its coming.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?": This entire phrase represents an immediate, involuntary, and fearful recognition of Jesus' divine person and authority by spiritual adversaries. The exclamation "behold" draws attention to this unexpected and vital confession from malevolent beings who reveal profound supernatural knowledge of Jesus' true identity. Their cry for dissociation underscores the vast gulf between light and darkness, between their evil nature and His holiness, and their utter powerlessness before Him.
• "art thou come hither to torment us before the time?": This group of words reveals the demons' understanding of an established eschatological timeline for their ultimate condemnation and punishment. Their terrified question suggests a vivid awareness of future torment and acknowledges Jesus' power to usher in this final judgment. It reinforces the theological concept that evil forces operate on a limited leash and await a fixed time for their eternal damnation, a judgment only Christ can administer or expedite.

Matthew 8 29 Bonus section

• The demonic confession of Jesus' identity ("Son of God") in this verse, while accurate, contrasts sharply with how human characters in Matthew's Gospel gradually come to understand who Jesus is (e.g., Peter's confession in Matt 16:16). This highlights that spiritual entities possess an inherent, perhaps unwilling, knowledge of divine truth, which many humans, due to their fallen nature or spiritual blindness, fail to grasp.
• The fact that these two demon-possessed men were so violent ("exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way" Mt 8:28) underscores the severity of the demonic oppression and consequently, the magnitude of Jesus' authority required to instantly pacify them with a word. This was not a minor or simple case but a truly formidable spiritual bondage.
• This account reinforces the doctrine that while evil exists and demons possess power, they are ultimately subordinate to God's will and are limited by His timing and decrees. They cannot act independently of divine allowance, and their destiny of eternal torment is certain and already decreed.
• Jesus doesn't engage in lengthy rituals, debates, or incantations. He simply confronts the demons with His authoritative presence, and they react in terror, acknowledging His identity and their inevitable doom. This simple display of inherent power sets Jesus apart from contemporary exorcists and confirms His unique divine status.

Matthew 8 29 Commentary

Matthew 8:29 serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' absolute authority over the spiritual realm. The passage immediately follows displays of Jesus' power over sickness and complements the subsequent account of Him calming the storm, thereby establishing His sovereignty over illness, nature, and demonic forces. The demons, unlike many human beings, immediately recognize Jesus as the "Son of God," a profound title denoting His divine nature and ultimate authority. This recognition is not an act of worship but of terror and desperation. Their plea, "What have we to do with thee?" is an admission of Jesus' power to command and judge them, acknowledging a fundamental incompatibility between their corrupt nature and His divine purity.

Furthermore, the demons' fear of being tormented "before the time" speaks volumes about the biblical understanding of a definitive, future judgment for all evil, including Satan and his fallen angels. While they may currently exert influence in the world, they are aware that their ultimate doom is sealed and a specific time has been appointed for it. Their question highlights Jesus' authority not only to cast them out but also to control the timing of their final judgment, indicating His divine sovereignty over cosmic events and the ultimate triumph over evil. This episode illustrates that the Kingdom of God, manifested through Jesus, directly confronts and conquers the kingdom of darkness, offering a clear message of hope and liberation for those oppressed by spiritual evil. It reinforces that even demons submit to Christ, revealing His universal lordship.