Matthew 8:33 kjv

And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

Matthew 8:33 nkjv

Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

Matthew 8:33 niv

Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

Matthew 8:33 esv

The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

Matthew 8:33 nlt

The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men.

Matthew 8 verses

Matthew 8 33 Meaning

Matthew 8:33 describes the immediate reaction of the swineherds after the two demon-possessed men were delivered, and the legion of demons entered a large herd of pigs, causing them to rush down a steep bank into the sea and perish. The verse states that these eyewitnesses fled from the scene and entered the city, reporting fully all that had transpired, with a particular emphasis on the extraordinary transformation experienced by the demon-possessed men. It highlights the fear and awe incited by Jesus' overwhelming power over demonic forces and their devastating effect on the herd.

Matthew 8 33 Context

Matthew 8:33 is situated within a broader chapter demonstrating Jesus' immense authority. Following a series of healings that established His power over sickness (leprosy, centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law), Jesus exercises His power over natural elements by calming a storm (Mt 8:23-27). This particular verse follows directly from the account of Jesus encountering two fierce demon-possessed men in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, near Gergesa, depending on the Gospel variant and ancient geographical understanding). This region was Gentile territory, signified by the presence of a large herd of pigs, which were considered unclean animals by Jewish law. Jesus casts a "legion" of demons out of the men into the pigs, leading the entire herd to plunge into the sea and drown. Verse 33 describes the herdsmen's immediate response as eyewitnesses, serving as the bridge to the reaction of the entire city. The scene underscores the comprehensive nature of Jesus' authority over even the most entrenched spiritual evil.

Matthew 8 33 Word analysis

• And (Greek: Kai - Καὶ): A simple conjunction, connecting this event to the preceding miraculous expulsion of demons and the pigs' demise. It indicates a sequential continuation of the narrative.
• the herdsmen (Greek: hoi boskontes - οἱ βοσκοντες): Lit. "those who were feeding" or "tending" the pigs. These are the immediate eyewitnesses of the miraculous event and its destructive outcome. Their role gave them firsthand knowledge.
• fled (Greek: efygon - ἔφυγον): Past tense of pheugo, meaning "to flee," "escape," "take flight." It implies a sudden departure, likely out of fear, astonishment, or panic from witnessing such a terrifying display of supernatural power. The sight was overwhelming.
• and (Greek: kai - καὶ): Another connective, showing the next action.
• went into (Greek: aperchomenoi eis - ἀπερχόμενοι εἰς): Lit. "going away into," emphasizing their purposeful departure from the site to a destination.
• the city (Greek: tēn polin - τὴν πόλιν): Likely Gadara or Gergesa, the main settlement closest to where these events took place, serving as the center for information dissemination.
• and (Greek: kai - καὶ): Connecting the act of going to the act of reporting.
• told (Greek: apēggeilan - ἀπήγγειλαν): From apaggellō, meaning "to announce," "report," "tell." This signifies a formal or thorough recounting of what they witnessed.
• everything (Greek: panta - πάντα): Accusative plural of pas, meaning "all things," "the whole." This highlights the comprehensiveness of their report. They held back nothing.
• especially (Greek: kai ta - καὶ τὰ...): Lit. "and the things..." This conjunction, followed by a genitive, serves to emphasize a particular part of their "everything" report. It elevates the subsequent information as being of paramount importance or focus.
• what had happened to the demon-possessed men (Greek: tōn daimonizomenōn - τῶν δαιμονιζομένων): Lit. "the things of the demonized ones" or "those who had been demonized." This is the core focus of their report – not just the loss of pigs, but the dramatic, life-altering transformation of these previously terrifying individuals. This aspect signifies the true miracle.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the herdsmen fled, and went into the city": This phrase emphasizes the urgency and fear driving their actions. They don't linger, but immediately seek to convey what they've seen. Their fleeing also distances them from the scene of Jesus' power, reflecting a human reaction to the uncanny and overwhelming.
• "and told everything": This underscores the reliability and completeness of their witness. The message relayed would be factual and not selectively presented. It ensured the city heard the full account.
• "especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men": This critical clause reveals the core of the astonishment and the true nature of the miracle. Despite the significant economic loss (the pigs), the astonishing recovery and deliverance of the men was the most impactful and noteworthy part of the entire event. It elevates the value of human spiritual freedom above material possessions, implicitly challenging the prevailing priorities of the world. It points directly to Jesus' redemptive power over darkness.

Matthew 8 33 Bonus section

The speed with which the news reached the city, through the herdsmen's urgent report, facilitated the whole city's rapid response mentioned in the very next verse. This incident serves as an early instance in Matthew's Gospel of Jesus' fame spreading into Gentile areas, showcasing His universal appeal and power not confined by Jewish boundaries or cultural norms regarding unclean animals. The fear exhibited by the herdsmen and subsequently the city reveals a common human response to raw divine power – often one of dread rather than immediate embrace, especially when accompanied by economic loss or perceived disruption. This demonstrates that confronting Jesus' true identity can be unsettling to those valuing comfort or the status quo more than divine intervention.

Matthew 8 33 Commentary

Matthew 8:33 succinctly captures the ripple effect of Jesus' miraculous display of authority in Gentile territory. The herdsmen, as primary witnesses to the expulsion of demons and the subsequent destruction of the swine, are filled with fear and quickly depart to report to the nearest city. Their flight is not just from the loss of their livelihood but from the sheer, overwhelming power manifested by Jesus—a power that dealt decisively with spiritual darkness yet also resulted in a dramatic material cost.

The report to "everything" emphasizes the transparency and comprehensiveness of their account, leaving no doubt as to the events. Crucially, their highlighting "what had happened to the demon-possessed men" underscores the true miracle. The focus is not primarily on the perished pigs but on the radical liberation of two severely afflicted human beings. This prioritization by the herdsmen implicitly testifies to the profound and beneficial impact of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating His purpose to free humanity from evil and spiritual bondage, a far greater value than worldly possessions. This detail foreshadows the conflict between those who prioritize material comfort and those who value divine deliverance and spiritual truth, which unfolds in the subsequent verse (Mt 8:34).