Matthew 8:34 kjv

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Matthew 8:34 nkjv

And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.

Matthew 8:34 niv

Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Matthew 8:34 esv

And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

Matthew 8:34 nlt

Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.

Matthew 8 verses

Matthew 8 34 Meaning

Matthew 8:34 describes the fearful and materialistic reaction of the entire city of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes) to Jesus' miracle of casting out demons into a herd of swine, resulting in the swine's destruction. Upon witnessing the overwhelming power of Jesus and the accompanying economic loss, the inhabitants emerged from their city and pleaded with Jesus to depart from their region, prioritizing their worldly concerns over His divine presence and saving work.

Matthew 8 34 Context

This verse concludes the narrative of Jesus's powerful encounter in the region of the Gerasenes (also referred to as Gadarenes in some manuscripts, located east of the Sea of Galilee, a largely Gentile area where keeping swine would be common). Prior to this, Jesus demonstrated His authority over nature by calming a furious storm (Mat 8:23-27). Immediately following, He casts out a legion of demons from two severely tormented men, and these demons, at their own request, enter a large herd of pigs. The herd then stampedes down a steep bank into the sea and drowns (Mat 8:28-33). The swineherds, witnessing this dramatic event, flee to the city and report everything, including the fate of the demon-possessed men and the pigs. Matthew 8:34 then describes the response of the entire city, indicating a widespread, communal reaction rooted in overwhelming fear and profound economic loss. Their immediate priority shifts from the liberation of the demon-possessed men to their material possessions and the perceived disruption Jesus brought.

Matthew 8 34 Word analysis

• Then (Καὶ ἰδοὺ - Kai idou): "And behold," or "And look!" It draws attention to an immediate, dramatic consequence, signaling a direct response to the previous events.
• behold (ἰδοὺ - idou): Used to introduce something sudden, new, or particularly important. It emphasizes the immediacy and surprising nature of the city's reaction.
• the whole city (πᾶσα ἡ πόλις - pasa hē polis): Signifies a collective, widespread response, not just a few individuals. This indicates the gravity of the event's impact on their community, encompassing their entire population and common mindset.
• came out (ἐξῆλθεν - exēlthen): Indicates active movement from within the security of their walls to confront this extraordinary presence. They are not merely observing but engaging.
• to meet Jesus (εἰς συνάντησιν τῷ Ἰησοῦ - eis synantēsin tō Iēsou): Suggests an intentional approach. They did not happen upon Him, but sought Him out, compelled by what they heard. This meeting is not one of welcome or worship, but of fear-driven negotiation.
• and when they saw Him (καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν - kai idontes auton): Implies visual confirmation of Jesus, perhaps confirming the strange reports from the herdsmen and solidifying their fear and concern.
• they begged Him (παρεκάλουν - parekaloun): This verb means "to implore," "exhort," or "entreat." It's a strong plea, not a casual request. It highlights the depth of their desperation and fear, even though it's directed at Jesus, the one who just brought miraculous freedom. The imploring is out of desire for His absence, not His continued presence.
• to depart (μεταβῆναι - metabēnai): "To go away from," "to pass over." A clear, direct demand for Him to leave. This isn't asking Him to stay or for more miracles; it's an outright request for Him to remove Himself.
• from their region (ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν - apo tōn horiōn autōn): "From their boundaries," or "from their borders/territory." It defines the spatial extent of their desired separation, wishing Jesus to be entirely outside their jurisdiction and influence, restoring their prior undisturbed existence.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Then behold, the whole city: Emphasizes a unified, immediate, and impactful community reaction, implying consensus born of fear and perceived loss. The 'behold' marks a significant turn in the narrative.
• came out to meet Jesus: This wasn't a passive observation but an active, confrontational, though supplicating, encounter. They initiated the interaction, indicating their profound disturbance and intent.
• they begged Him to depart from their region: This reveals their core motivation: their fear of the cost associated with Jesus's presence outweighed any awe at His power or compassion for the formerly possessed. They valued their peace, their economy, and their control over the implications of the Messiah's active intervention. Their plea shows a profound spiritual blindness, prioritizing swine over the Savior.

Matthew 8 34 Bonus section

• The stark contrast in reactions: The delivered men, now sane, undoubtedly wished to stay with Jesus and share their story (Mk 5:18-20, Lk 8:38-39). The city, however, rejected Him. This highlights how encountering the same divine power can elicit vastly different responses depending on the heart's posture.
• Jesus's respectful departure: Despite their unbelief and outright rejection, Jesus complied with their request and departed (Mat 9:1, Mk 5:18). This showcases His non-coercive nature, respecting human freedom even when exercised in unbelief, and underscores the principle that the gospel will not be forced upon those who reject it.
• Cultural context: The presence of a large herd of pigs in this predominantly Gentile region confirms it was not a Jewish settlement. Swine were ritually unclean for Jews (Lev 11:7). The economic value of these pigs to the Gerasenes underscores why their destruction would cause such panic and fear of financial ruin, prompting their plea for Jesus's departure. This reveals the significant collision between Jesus's ministry and pagan practices/economic realities.

Matthew 8 34 Commentary

Matthew 8:34 strikingly concludes the narrative of Jesus's power over demonic forces and natural elements by highlighting humanity's fallen response. The reaction of the Gerasenes is rooted in profound fear—fear of a divine power they cannot control and that disrupted their familiar world, and fear of economic loss. The death of the swine, while a minor loss in eternal perspective, represented a significant portion of their livelihood and perhaps social stability. This demonstrates a pervasive human tendency to prioritize material security and comfort over encountering divine truth and power, especially when that power challenges their established order or incurs a cost. Instead of being drawn to worship the deliverer, they were driven to push Him away. This response also serves as a polemic against materialistic attitudes and reveals the heart of those who refuse to believe despite undeniable evidence, because belief would demand a change and a yielding of control, which they were unwilling to concede. The event stands as a sober reminder that not all will welcome Christ, even when His power is manifested overtly, particularly if it disrupts their perceived self-interest.