King James Version

What Does Luke 8:32 Mean?

Luke 8:32 in the King James Version says “And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to en...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.”

Luke 8:32 · KJV

Context

30

And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

31

And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

32

And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.

33

Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

34

When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. The presence of "an herd of many swine" (agelē choirōn hikanōn, ἀγέλη χοίρων ἱκανῶν) confirms Gentile territory—Jews considered pigs unclean (Leviticus 11:7, Deuteronomy 14:8) and would never raise them. "Many swine" indicates a large commercial herd, suggesting significant economic value. "Feeding on the mountain" (boskomenē en tō orei, βοσκομένη ἐν τῷ ὄρει) places them on hillsides near the sea—the precise geography where swine could rush down steep slopes into water.

"They besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them" (parekaloun auton hina epitrepsē autois eis ekeinous eiselthein, παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν ἵνα ἐπιτρέψῃ αὐτοῖς εἰς ἐκείνους εἰσελθεῖν)—the demons negotiate for alternative housing. That Christ permits this ("he suffered them," epetrepsen autois, ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτοῖς) raises questions. Why allow demons to destroy valuable property and kill animals? Several answers emerge: (1) This demonstrates Christ's authority—even demons' alternative plans require His permission; (2) The swine's destruction provides visible proof of deliverance; (3) Economic loss pales compared to one man's salvation; (4) God's sovereignty extends even over demonic activity.

The verse also reveals demonic nature—they must inhabit something, whether human, animal, or (per Matthew 12:43-45) wander seeking rest. Their preference for even temporary swine-habitation over the abyss shows desperation to avoid judgment. Christ's permission demonstrates that Satan operates only within divinely-permitted boundaries (Job 1:12, 2:6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pigs were extensively raised in Gentile territories for food and commerce. The Decapolis, being predominantly Greek and Roman in culture, had no Jewish dietary restrictions against pork. A large herd represented significant wealth—Mark 5:13 numbers them at about 2,000, suggesting commercial-scale farming. The economic loss was substantial, explaining the owners' subsequent plea for Jesus to leave (v. 37).

Jewish readers would see symbolic significance in demons entering unclean animals. Pigs epitomized Gentile impurity in Jewish thinking. That demons would inhabit pigs confirms their unclean nature. Some scholars suggest the account contains anti-Roman political symbolism—the Legion (Rome's military might) destroyed in unclean animals that drown, echoing Pharaoh's army drowning in the Red Sea (Exodus 14-15). Whether intentional or not, such imagery would resonate with oppressed peoples.

The swineherds' witness to what occurred (v. 34) becomes crucial—they saw demons leave the man, enter pigs, and watched 2,000 animals rush to destruction. This public, witnessed miracle prevented later denial. Early church apologists (Justin Martyr, Tertullian) cited eyewitness testimony to miracles as evidence for Christianity's truth claims. The multiple witnesses to this spectacular deliverance strengthened the account's credibility.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus' willingness to destroy valuable property to save one soul reveal about the relative value of human beings versus material wealth?
  2. How does Christ's permission being required even for demons' alternative plans demonstrate divine sovereignty over all spiritual forces?
  3. What symbolic significance might the destruction of 2,000 pigs (unclean animals) containing Legion (Roman military term) hold for oppressed peoples?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ἦν1 of 22

“there was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

δὲ2 of 22

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐκεῖ3 of 22

“there”

G1563

there; by extension, thither

ἀγέλη4 of 22

“an herd”

G34

a drove

χοίρων5 of 22

“swine”

G5519

a hog

ἱκανῶν6 of 22

“of many”

G2425

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

βοσκομένων7 of 22

“feeding”

G1006

to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze

ἐν8 of 22

“on”

G1722

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

τῷ9 of 22
G3588

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

ὄρει·10 of 22

“the mountain”

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

καὶ11 of 22

“And”

G2532

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

παρεκάλουν12 of 22

“they besought”

G3870

to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

αὐτοῖς13 of 22

“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

ἵνα14 of 22

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἐπέτρεψεν15 of 22

“he suffered”

G2010

to turn over (transfer), i.e., allow

αὐτοῖς16 of 22

“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

εἰς17 of 22

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἐκείνους18 of 22

“them”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

εἰσελθεῖν·19 of 22

“to enter”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

καὶ20 of 22

“And”

G2532

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

ἐπέτρεψεν21 of 22

“he suffered”

G2010

to turn over (transfer), i.e., allow

αὐτοῖς22 of 22

“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

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 8:32 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 8:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 65:4Isaiah 66:31 John 4:4Job 1:10Revelation 20:7Job 1:12

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