Christian Art | Demoniacs In The Country Of The Gergesenes
Matthew 8: 28-34 – Week 13 Ordinary Time, Wednesday (King James Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
28 ¶ And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
29 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?
30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
32 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.
33 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.
34 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.
Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee, entering into Gentile territory. The King James Version speaks of the country of the Gergesenes, however ‘Gaderenes’ or ‘Gerasenes’ are more usually spoken of in other ancient sources. The two main towns in the area were Gerasa and Gadara. The events reported in these Gospel verses could have happened close to both of the towns.
As Jesus demonstrates his power over Satan, there is a strong sense in these verses of the universality of Christ’s saving teaching and gift of himself for our salvation. This is quite alien territory. The presence of the herd of swine, an unclean animal for the Jews, serves to emphasize this. We may think of the region as being composed of different cultural groups living in relative proximity, yet separately, with suspicion and animosity characterizing any mutual relationships. It is too a threatening space. The two men possessed by devils are extremely fierce, such that no-one was able to come near them.
Jesus, though, moves freely all around the regions of Galilee. There is an opening up of space, such as is found by all who follow Jesus, together with the conquest of evil. The demons recognize Jesus’ power and authority. They are impotent in Jesus’ presence, only able to beg Jesus to be cast into the herd of swine. The two evils of the demons and of the unclean animals are thereby expelled from the scene. From a Jewish perspective, the space is cleansed. The healing miracle is not so perceived by those of the city. They come to meet Jesus, as a multitude encountering something strange, and they beg him to go away. They see a threat to their livelihood, which prevents them from hoping for salvation in Jesus. We are aware of those who alienate themselves from Christian faith.
See also: Mark 5-17 | The Man Possessed by Devils and the Herd of Swine | In the Country of the Gadarenes
Miracle | Prayer | Healing
Concluding Prayer
Lord, holy Father, faithful to your promise,
you sent your Spirit
to bring together a people divided by sin.
Give us grace to foster unity and peace among men.
Through Christ our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
The Devils Know Who Jesus Is
In Matthew 8:28-34, we read about an encounter between Jesus and two demon-possessed men. These men were so consumed by evil spirits that they were living among the tombs, frightening those who passed by. When Jesus arrived, the demons recognized Jesus immediately and cried out: ‘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)
The demons knew exactly who Jesus was, referring to Him as ‘the Son of God’. In the Bible, we see that demons recognize and fear the power of God. James 2:19 says: ‘Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.’
The fact that the demons knew Jesus’ identity is a testament to Jesus’ power and authority. Jesus didn’t need to announce who he was or demonstrate his power to these demons; they already knew him.
Christians have reflected on the significance of the demons’ recognition of Jesus. Saint Augustine of Hippo, prominent theologian in the early church, wrote: ‘The demons believe, and tremble, and do not deny; they know Christ, and acknowledge Him to be the Son of God.’ Augustine’s words echo James’ statement that demons believe in God and recognize Jesus’ authority.
In more recent times, Protestant theologian J.I. Packer wrote in his book, Knowing God: ‘The demons believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and tremble at the thought.’ Packer emphasizes the power of Jesus’ identity, noting that even demons are afraid of Him.
The demons’ recognition of Jesus highlights the spiritual battle that Christians face. As Ephesians 6:12 says: ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ The demonic possession of the two men in Matthew 8 is a vivid example of the reality of spiritual warfare.
The story demonstrates Jesus’ power over evil. Jesus commands the demons to leave the men, and they obey him. The men are completely transformed, no longer living among the tombs but rather sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in their right minds.
The encounter with the demon-possessed men raises questions about the nature of evil and the role of demons in the world. While some have attributed demonic possession to mental illness, others maintain that there is a supernatural element at play. C.S. Lewis, a prominent Christian author, wrote in his wonderful book The Screwtape Letters: ‘There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.’
Up until this point, Luke has told us several times that Jesus taught the people, but he has not told us what Jesus was teaching. This is the first time that Luke in his Gospel shares with us the teachings of Jesus. Jesus gives four blessings, four Beatitudes, and four curses. We are drawn to the heart of Jesus’ teaching, and must sharply reflect on what we are taught here [ … ]
Some people are so simple that they do not know what uprightness is. Theirs is not the true simplicity of the innocent: they are as far from that as they are far from rising to the virtue of uprightness. As long as they do not know how to guard their steps by walking in uprightness, they can never remain innocent merely by walking in simplicity. This is why Saint Paul warns his disciples I hope that you are also wise in what is good, and innocent of what is bad but also Brothers, you are not to be childish in your outlook, though you can be babies as far as wickedness is concerned. Thus Christ our Truth enjoins his disciples with the words Be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves. In giving them this admonition, he had to join the two together, so that both the simplicity of the dove might be instructed by the craftiness of the serpent, and the craftiness of the serpent might be attempered by the simplicity of the dove [ … ]
Christian Art | Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible KJV The Gospel Of Saint John 14: 1-7 | King James Audio Bible YouTube: Connection With The Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible The Gospels are not just a collection of stories or teachings, but a window into the life of Jesus. By reading and reflecting on the Gospels, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was and what he came to do. As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus was a man of great compassion and love. Jesus showed mercy to the outcasts and the marginalized, and he offered healing and hope to those who were in need. He also taught with authority, challenging the religious leaders of his day and offering a new way of living based on love and service. But the Gospels are not just a history lesson. They are also an invitation for us to enter into a relationship with Jesus. By reading and meditating on the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus more personally and deeply. We can learn from his example and seek to follow in his footsteps. So we may be encouraged to read the Gospels, perhaps starting with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, as we read paying attention to how Jesus interacted with others and how he responded to different situations. We may ask ourselves what you can learn from his words and actions, and how we can apply them to our own lives. And as we read, we can allow ourselves to be drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus. There truly is an historical Jesus. May the Gospels be a source of guidance, inspiration, and transformation for us all. How Much In The Gospels Is Historical, And How Much Is Myth, Legend, Trope, Figurative Thinking? It is difficult to say with certainty how much of the Gospels is historical in the modern sense of the word and how much is myth, legend, trope, or figurative thinking. The Gospels were written some years after the events they describe, and they were written from the perspective of the early Christian community. This means that the Gospels may contain a mix of historical facts and interpretation, as well as elements of myth, legend, and figurative thinking. That being said, scholars believe that the Gospels contain a good deal of historical information. For example, the Gospels describe specific places and events, such as the places where Jesus preached and the events of his trial and Crucifixion. These details suggest that the writers of the Gospels had access to historical information and intended to provide an accurate account of what happened. On the other hand, the Gospels also contain elements that are not seen by all as historical, howsoever this goes to the root of the faith, such as the miracles performed by Jesus and the accounts of his resurrection. Some see these as legends or myths that were added to the Gospels to help convey the message of the early Christian community. The question of how much of the Gospels is historical and how much is myth, legend, or figurative thinking is complex. What is important is that we approach the Gospels with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the stories and teachings they contain. We are in the Gospels in conversation with God – and with the many people who have had such faith and conversations – as with the historical Jesus. Why Do The Gospels Say Were People Afraid Of Jesus? There are several reasons why people may have been afraid of Jesus, according to the Gospels. One reason is that Jesus was a powerful and charismatic figure who challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He spoke out against corruption and injustice, and he called on people to repent and turn to God. This type of behaviour was seen as threatening by those in positions of power, and they may have been afraid of losing their influence or authority. Another reason is that Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and casting out demons. These miracles were seen as evidence of his divine power, and they may have made people afraid of him. Some people may have been afraid of being healed or possessed by Jesus, while others may have been afraid of what would happen if they did not believe in him. Finally, some people may have been afraid of Jesus because of the prophecies and expectations of the coming of a messiah. The Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for a saviour who would deliver them from oppression and establish a kingdom of God on earth. When Jesus arrived on the scene, he may have been seen as a threat to the status quo, and some people may have been afraid of what he might do. Might The Fear Be Related To The Fear Of God – The Injunction To Fear God? Yes, it is possible that the fear of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels may be related to the fear of God. In the Old Testament, the fear of God is often used to describe a deep reverence and awe for God, as well as a sense of humility and obedience in the face of his greatness. This fear of God is seen as a positive and necessary quality for a faithful believer, and it is often linked to the idea of fearing God’s punishment or judgement. In the New Testament, the fear of God is also mentioned, but it is often portrayed in a more positive light. For example, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who can destroy both body and soul (Luke 12:4-5). This suggests that the fear of God is not just about punishment, but about a deep respect for […]
