Matthew 8:32 kjv

And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

Matthew 8:32 nkjv

And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.

Matthew 8:32 niv

He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.

Matthew 8:32 esv

And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.

Matthew 8:32 nlt

"All right, go!" Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

Matthew 8 verses

Matthew 8 32 Meaning

This verse describes Jesus' authoritative command to the demons that had possessed two men. Upon His simple utterance, the demons immediately obey, departing from the men and entering into a large herd of swine nearby. This demonic transfer culminates in the entire herd rushing headlong down a steep incline into the sea, where they all perish in the waters. The event profoundly illustrates Jesus' absolute power over demonic forces, His complete authority, and the inherently destructive nature of evil when left unchecked or even when manifesting itself.

Matthew 8 32 Context

Matthew chapter 8 prominently features a series of powerful demonstrations of Jesus' authority, showcasing Him as the divine Son of God with dominion over sickness, nature, and demonic forces. Immediately preceding verse 32, Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee into the region of the Gadarenes (or Gerasenes in parallel accounts), a predominantly Gentile area, where He encounters two fiercely demon-possessed men (Mt 8:28). These demons recognize Jesus' divine identity, begging Him not to torment them and requesting permission to enter a nearby herd of swine. Matthew 8:32 describes Jesus granting this permission, leading to the dramatic destruction of the swine, thereby emphasizing His absolute power even over the demonic realm and demonstrating the inherent destructive nature of evil spirits. The presence of swine confirms the Gentile nature of the region, as pigs were unclean to Jews, adding another layer to the setting where Jesus extends His healing and deliverance.

Matthew 8 32 Word analysis

• And he said unto them, Go.
  • "And": Καὶ (Kai) - a common connective, signifying a continuation or immediate response.
  • "he said": εἶπεν (eipen) - Aorist active indicative of λέγω (legō), "to say, speak." It implies a decisive, completed action.
  • "unto them": αὐτοῖς (autois) - Dative plural pronoun, referring to the demons.
  • "Go": Ὑπάγετε (Hypagete) - Present active imperative, second person plural of ὑπάγω (hypagō), meaning "to go away, depart." This is a direct command, not a suggestion or a question, reflecting Jesus' authoritative will. It indicates the demons are subservient and must comply immediately.
• And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine:
  • "And when they were come out": Καὶ ἐξελθόντες (Kai exelthontes) - ἐξελθόντες is an Aorist participle from ἐξέρχομαι (exerchomai), meaning "to come/go out." It highlights the immediacy and totality of their departure from the men.
  • "they went into": εἰσῆλθον (eiselthon) - Aorist active indicative of εἰσέρχομαι (eiserchomai), "to enter." Emphasizes their rapid and active entry into the pigs.
  • "the herd": ἀγέλην (agelēn) - Accusative feminine singular of ἀγέλη (agelē), referring to a drove, herd, or flock, specifically applied to animals.
  • "of swine": χοίρων (choirōn) - Genitive plural of χοῖρος (choiros), "a swine, pig." Significant due to their status as unclean animals under Mosaic Law (Lev 11:7-8). The sheer number implies a large-scale commercial operation, common in Gentile regions.
• and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
  • "and, behold": καὶ ἰδοὺ (kai idou) - "and behold" or "and lo." A common New Testament interjection drawing attention to a new or surprising event.
  • "the whole herd": πᾶσα ἡ ἀγέλη (pasa hē agelē) - "the whole/every herd." Emphasizes the entirety of the herd was affected, indicating the complete infestation and control by the demons.
  • "of swine": τῶν χοίρων (tōn choirōn) - Genitive plural, referring to the pigs.
  • "ran violently down": ὥρμησεν (hōrmēsen) - Aorist active indicative of ὁρμάω (hormaō), "to rush, to move rapidly or violently." It conveys the sudden, uncontrollable, and forceful movement, depicting the demons' destructive intent.
  • "a steep place": τοῦ κρημνοῦ (tou krēmnou) - Genitive masculine singular of κρημνός (krēmnos), "a steep bank, precipice, cliff." This natural geographical feature facilitated the violent demise.
  • "into the sea": εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν (eis tēn thalassan) - "into the sea," likely referring to the Sea of Galilee (also called a lake), which was vast and deep enough to drown such a large herd. Water is sometimes associated with chaos and judgment in biblical imagery.
  • "and perished": καὶ ἀπώλετο (kai apōleto) - Aorist passive indicative of ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi), "to destroy, to perish." The passive voice implies they were thoroughly destroyed, underscoring the finality and the consequence of the demonic presence.
  • "in the waters": ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν (en tois hydasin) - "in the waters," further clarifying their complete annihilation by drowning.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "And he said unto them, Go.": A testament to Jesus' sovereign command over evil spirits. His single word carries irresistible force. This contrasts sharply with pagan exorcism rituals and underscores His inherent divine authority.
  • "And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine": Shows the immediate and total obedience of the demons to Jesus. It also highlights their desperate need for a host, as spirits prefer to inhabit physical forms rather than exist disembodied (Lk 11:24). The choice of pigs, ritually unclean animals, is fitting for their unholy nature.
  • "and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.": This demonstrates the inherent malevolent and destructive nature of demons. When given freedom, even if temporary, their natural inclination is toward chaos, ruin, and death. The violent and complete destruction of the large herd serves as a powerful, undeniable sign of their presence and impact. The perishing in the water signifies a final end, representing judgment and elimination of the demonic influence from the land.

Matthew 8 32 Bonus section

The destruction of the pigs, while seeming harsh, offers several deeper insights. The Gadarene region was primarily Gentile, evidenced by the large pig farm, as pigs were ritually unclean for Jews (Lev 11:7-8). The people of the town, upon witnessing the miracle and the subsequent financial loss, responded with fear and urged Jesus to depart (Mt 8:34). This highlights a common human tendency to value material security and comfort over the presence of divine power and the radical change it might bring. They prioritized their livelihood over the spiritual deliverance of their neighbors, illustrating resistance to Jesus even in the face of overwhelming evidence of His authority. Furthermore, the demons choosing unclean animals underscores their defiling nature. Even when allowed a host, their only agenda is ultimately one of ruin.

Matthew 8 32 Commentary

Matthew 8:32 profoundly illustrates the unchallengeable authority of Jesus Christ over the forces of darkness. His simple, direct command, "Go," underscores that demons are entirely subject to His will, unlike anything previously seen. The immediate obedience of the legion of demons highlights their utter powerlessness against Christ's divine power. Their request to enter the swine and Jesus' permission reveals a significant point: while demons are destructive, they can only act within the boundaries set by God's sovereign will.

The ensuing violent plunge of the large herd of swine into the sea and their drowning serves multiple purposes. First, it vividly demonstrates the inherent, uncontrollable destructiveness of evil spirits; their very nature leads to chaos and death. Second, the loss of a large herd (Mk 5:13 mentions about two thousand) points to the great value Jesus places on human deliverance and spiritual freedom over material possessions. The financial cost, though substantial, pales in comparison to the liberation of human souls from such profound bondage. Third, the destruction signifies the absolute defeat and annihilation of the demonic presence, ensuring they cannot torment anyone further in that area through new hosts. The "perishing in the waters" carries a symbolism of ultimate judgment and elimination of the evil.

This event reveals that confrontation with Jesus brings either salvation or destruction, making clear that He alone possesses the ultimate dominion, not only over demons but over the consequences they cause. It should remind us that when God steps into human affairs, there is often a cost, but His actions prioritize spiritual realities.