King James Version

What Does Luke 8:37 Mean?

Luke 8:37 in the King James Version says “Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were tak...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.”

Luke 8:37 · King James Version

Fear & Courage

Context

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.

36

They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

37

Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

38

Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39

Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

Read Luke 8 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. The community's response is tragic rejection. "Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about" (kai ērōtēsen auton hapan to plēthos tēs perichōrou tōn Gerasēnōn, καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἅπαν τὸ πλῆθος τῆς περιχώρου τῶν Γερασηνῶν) indicates widespread, unified rejection—not merely pig owners but the entire region. "Besought him to depart" (ērōtēsen auton apelthein, ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἀπελθεῖν) uses strong language—they urgently requested, begged Him to leave.

"For they were taken with great fear" (hoti phobō megalō synēichonto, ὅτι φόβῳ μεγάλῳ συνείχοντο) explains their rejection. The verb "were taken" (συνείχοντο) means seized, gripped, held fast—fear overpowered them. "Great fear" (φόβῳ μεγάλῳ) was intense terror. They feared Jesus' power more than they valued the demoniac's deliverance. Economic loss (2,000 swine) combined with supernatural fear drove them to reject the very One who could save them. They preferred their comfortable paganism over disturbing holiness.

"And he went up into the ship, and returned back again" (embas de eis ploion hypestrepsen, ἐμβὰς δὲ εἰς πλοῖον ὑπέστρεψεν)—Jesus honored their choice. He doesn't force Himself on the unwilling. Divine grace can be resisted; Christ's offer can be rejected. This sobering truth warns that miraculous evidence doesn't guarantee faith. Many witnessed undeniable proof of Jesus' authority yet chose economic security over spiritual salvation. Their rejection prefigures Israel's rejection of Messiah and humanity's ongoing rejection of Christ despite overwhelming evidence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Gadarenes' rejection illustrates the conflict between material interests and spiritual truth. The destroyed swine herd represented significant wealth—Mark 5:13 numbers them at 2,000, worth perhaps 100,000 denarii (over 250 years' wages). The region's economy likely depended heavily on pig farming, making Jesus' presence economically threatening. They chose mammon over Messiah, commerce over Christ.

First-century Greco-Roman culture valued prosperity and stability. Mystery religions and pagan worship didn't demand moral transformation or economic sacrifice. Jesus' presence brought disturbing upheaval—supernatural power that destroyed property, challenged demons, exposed spiritual realities. The comfortable status quo was threatened. Rather than embrace costly discipleship, they rejected Jesus entirely.

Early church history records similar patterns. Roman persecution intensified when Christianity threatened economic interests (Acts 16:16-24, 19:23-41). The gospel confronts not only personal sin but systemic evil embedded in economic and social structures. The Gadarenes' choice—preferring economic security over one man's salvation and Christ's presence—reveals the human tendency to value temporal wealth over eternal souls. Their rejection stands as perpetual warning against allowing material concerns to determine spiritual choices.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Gadarenes' choice to value 2,000 pigs over one man's salvation and Jesus' presence reveal about human priorities?
  2. How does Jesus' willing departure demonstrate respect for human free will and the possibility of rejecting grace?
  3. In what ways do economic interests and material comfort continue to cause people to reject Christ despite clear evidence of His power?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
καὶ1 of 24

“Then”

G2532

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

ἠρώτησαν2 of 24

“besought”

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

αὐτὸς3 of 24

“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

ἅπαν4 of 24

“the whole”

G537

absolutely all or (singular) every one

τὸ5 of 24
G3588

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

πλῆθος6 of 24

“multitude”

G4128

a fulness, i.e., a large number, throng, populace

τῆς7 of 24
G3588

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

περιχώρου8 of 24

“of the country”

G4066

around the region, i.e., circumjacent (as noun, with g1093 implied vicinity)

τῶν9 of 24
G3588

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

Γαδαρηνῶν10 of 24

“of the Gadarenes”

G1046

a gadarene or inhabitant of gadara

ἀπελθεῖν11 of 24

“to depart”

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

ἀπ'12 of 24

“from”

G575

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

αὐτὸς13 of 24

“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

ὅτι14 of 24

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

φόβῳ15 of 24

“fear”

G5401

alarm or fright

μεγάλῳ16 of 24

“with great”

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

συνείχοντο·17 of 24

“they were taken”

G4912

to hold together, i.e., to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy

αὐτὸς18 of 24

“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

δὲ19 of 24

“and”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐμβὰς20 of 24

“he went up”

G1684

to walk on, i.e., embark (aboard a vessel), reach (a pool)

εἰς21 of 24

“into”

G1519

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

τὸ22 of 24
G3588

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

πλοῖον23 of 24

“the ship”

G4143

a sailer, i.e., vessel

ὑπέστρεψεν24 of 24

“and returned back again”

G5290

to turn under (behind), i.e., to return (literally or figuratively)

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 8:37 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 8:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 16:39Luke 8:28Luke 10:10-111 Kings 17:181 Samuel 6:20Luke 9:56

Places in This Verse

GerasaSettlement · Modern: Jerash · 32.27°N, 35.89°E3 verses across 2 books
View all places in Luke 8 →

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