King James Version

What Does Luke 8:33 Mean?

Luke 8:33 in the King James Version says “Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the ...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 8:33 · KJV

Context

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.

35

Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The deliverance occurs instantly and completely. "Then went the devils out of the man" (exelthonta de ta daimonia apo tou anthrōpou, ἐξελθόντα δὲ τὰ δαιμόνια ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) describes immediate exodus—no prolonged struggle, no gradual process. Christ's authority effects instant liberation. "And entered into the swine" (eisēlthon eis tous choirous, εἰσῆλθον εἰς τοὺς χοίρους) shows demons must go somewhere—they cannot simply cease to exist or remain disembodied comfortably.

"The herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake" (hōrmēsen hē agelē kata tou krēmnou eis tēn limnēn, ὥρμησεν ἡ ἀγέλη κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν λίμνην) describes mass demonic-induced destruction. The verb "ran violently" (ὥρμησεν) indicates rushing stampede, uncontrolled frenzy. "Down a steep place" (κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ) fits the geography of the eastern shore where cliffs descend sharply to the Sea of Galilee. "And were choked" (apepnigē, ἀπεπνίγη) means drowned, suffocated. Pigs can swim, but 2,000 frenzied animals in rushing stampede would trample and drown one another.

This spectacular destruction serves multiple purposes: (1) Visible proof of deliverance—the man's transformation is confirmed by 2,000 dead pigs; (2) Demonstrates demonic destructiveness—given opportunity, demons destroy whatever they inhabit; (3) Reveals Satan's true nature—he comes to "steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10); (4) Prefigures demons' ultimate fate—as the swine perished in water, demons will perish in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The geography of the eastern Galilee shore features steep limestone cliffs descending directly into the water—precisely the terrain described. Archaeological surveys confirm habitation in this region during the first century, with evidence of Gentile settlements. The Decapolis cities were prosperous commercial centers where pig farming was economically significant.

Mark 5:13 specifies "about two thousand" swine, indicating the herd's considerable size and value. At typical first-century prices, this represented catastrophic financial loss—perhaps 100,000 denarii (over 250 years' wages for a laborer). This explains why the region's people begged Jesus to leave (v. 37)—His presence, though bringing spiritual deliverance, cost them dearly economically. The tension between spiritual blessing and material cost recurs throughout Christian history.

Early Christian writers saw in this account a warning about demonic destructiveness. Origen noted that demons destroy whatever they possess—the demoniac's dignity, the swine's lives, the community's wealth. Augustine observed that Satan's ultimate goal is total destruction, but God limits demonic activity to serve His redemptive purposes. The swine's destruction, though tragic, pales compared to one man's deliverance from Legion—a vivid demonstration that people matter infinitely more than possessions.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the immediate mass destruction of the swine reveal about the demons' true nature and intentions?
  2. How does the loss of 2,000 pigs for one man's deliverance challenge our valuation of souls versus material wealth?
  3. What does this dramatic visible proof of deliverance teach about God's willingness to provide evidence for skeptics?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ἐξελθόντα1 of 23

“went”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

δὲ2 of 23

“Then”

G1161

but, and, etc

τὰ3 of 23
G3588

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

δαιμόνια4 of 23

“the devils”

G1140

a daemonic being; by extension a deity

ἀπὸ5 of 23

“out of”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ6 of 23
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπου7 of 23

“the man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

εἰσῆλθεν8 of 23

“and entered”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς9 of 23

“into”

G1519

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

τοὺς10 of 23
G3588

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

χοίρους11 of 23

“the swine”

G5519

a hog

καὶ12 of 23

“and”

G2532

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

ὥρμησεν13 of 23

“ran”

G3729

to start, spur or urge on, i.e., (reflexively) to dash or plunge

ἡ14 of 23
G3588

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

ἀγέλη15 of 23

“the herd”

G34

a drove

κατὰ16 of 23

“violently down”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τοῦ17 of 23
G3588

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

κρημνοῦ18 of 23

“a steep”

G2911

overhanging, i.e., a precipice

εἰς19 of 23

“into”

G1519

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

τὴν20 of 23
G3588

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

λίμνην21 of 23

“the lake”

G3041

a pond (large or small)

καὶ22 of 23

“and”

G2532

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

ἀπεπνίγη23 of 23

“were choked”

G638

to stifle (by drowning or overgrowth)

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 8:33 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 8:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 8:44Luke 8:22-231 Peter 5:8Revelation 9:11

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