King James Version

What Does Luke 8:27 Mean?

Luke 8:27 in the King James Version says “And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clo... — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

Luke 8:27 · KJV


Context

25

And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another , What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

26

And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

27

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

28

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

29

(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. Luke's detailed description reveals the man's utter degradation. The phrase "there met him" (hypēntēsen autō, ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ) suggests the demoniac ran toward Jesus—a confrontation initiated by the demons recognizing Christ's authority. "A certain man" (anēr tis, ἀνήρ τις) emphasizes his humanity—though utterly possessed, he remained a person made in God's image, capable of restoration.

"Which had devils long time" (echōn daimonia ek chronōn hikanōn, ἔχων δαιμόνια ἐκ χρόνων ἱκανῶν) indicates prolonged possession—not recent affliction but chronic torment spanning years. The plural "devils" (δαιμόνια) previews verse 30's revelation that "Legion" possessed him. "Ware no clothes" (himation ouk enedidysketo, ἱμάτιον οὐκ ἐνεδιδύσκετο) describes shameful nakedness, complete loss of human dignity and self-awareness. In Jewish culture, public nakedness was extreme degradation (Genesis 3:7, Isaiah 20:2-4).

"Neither abode in any house, but in the tombs" (en oikia ouk emenen all' en tois mnēmasin, ἐν οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔμενεν ἀλλ' ἐν τοῖς μνήμασιν) completes the picture of total alienation. Houses represent civilization, family, community; tombs represent death, uncleanness, isolation. That he dwelt among tombs made him ceremonially unclean and socially untouchable. This man embodied complete satanic destruction—stripped of clothing, family, sanity, community, and hope. Yet Jesus came specifically for him, demonstrating that no one is beyond redemption's reach.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Jewish understanding viewed demon possession as real spiritual affliction, not merely psychological disorder. Tombs were typically caves carved into hillsides, considered ritually unclean (Numbers 19:16). That the man lived there compounded his isolation—no Jew would approach such places. His nakedness violated Jewish modesty standards (Exodus 20:26) and signified loss of humanity's distinctive characteristic (Genesis 3:21).

The Decapolis region, being predominantly Gentile, had different views on demon possession than Jewish Palestine. Greek and Roman cultures acknowledged demonic activity but lacked Judaism's theological framework for understanding spiritual warfare. Archaeological evidence from the region reveals pagan temples and shrines where demon worship occurred, possibly explaining the overt demonic activity.

Mark's Gospel provides additional details—the man had superhuman strength, broke chains, cut himself with stones (Mark 5:3-5). His condition made him dangerous and pitiable simultaneously. Society's only solution was restraint and isolation. That Jesus went to such lengths—crossing treacherous waters, entering defiling territory—to reach one demon-possessed Gentile demonstrates the gospel's radical inclusivity and Christ's compassion for the utterly lost.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the demoniac's complete degradation illustrate Satan's ultimate goal for human beings?
  2. What does Jesus' intentional journey to reach this one man teach about the value of individual souls?
  3. How should the reality of demonic oppression shape Christian ministry and compassion for the severely afflicted?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
ἐξελθόντι1 of 32

when he went forth

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

δὲ2 of 32

And

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτῷ3 of 32

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐπὶ4 of 32

to

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὴν5 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆν6 of 32

land

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

ὑπήντησεν7 of 32

there met

G5221

to go opposite (meet) under (quietly), i.e., to encounter, fall in with

αὐτῷ8 of 32

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀνήρ9 of 32

man

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

τις10 of 32

a certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐκ11 of 32

long

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς12 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλεως13 of 32

the city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

ὅς14 of 32

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

εἶχέν15 of 32

had

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

δαιμόνια16 of 32

devils

G1140

a daemonic being; by extension a deity

ἐκ17 of 32

long

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

χρόνων18 of 32

time

G5550

a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a

ἱκανῶν19 of 32
G2425

competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)

καὶ20 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἱμάτιον21 of 32

clothes

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)

οὐκ22 of 32

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐνεδιδύσκετο,23 of 32

ware

G1737

to invest (with a garment)

καὶ24 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν25 of 32

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

οἰκίᾳ26 of 32

any house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

οὐκ27 of 32

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔμενεν28 of 32

abode

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

ἀλλ'29 of 32

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐν30 of 32

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τοῖς31 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μνήμασιν32 of 32

the tombs

G3418

a memorial, i.e., sepulchral monument (burial-place)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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