King James Version

What Does Luke 8:38 Mean?

Luke 8:38 in the King James Version says “Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 8:38 · KJV

Context

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.

40

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

Read Luke 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, The healed demoniac's response contrasts sharply with the crowd's rejection. "Now the man out of whom the devils were departed" (edēito de autou ho anēr aph' hou exelēlythei ta daimonia, ἐδεῖτο δὲ αὐτοῦ ὁ ἀνὴρ ἀφ' οὗ ἐξεληλύθει τὰ δαιμόνια) identifies him by his deliverance—his defining characteristic is now freedom from demons, not possession by them. "Besought him that he might be with him" (edēito autou einai syn autō, ἐδεῖτο αὐτοῦ εἶναι σὺν αὐτῷ) expresses intense desire for discipleship, to remain in Jesus' company permanently.

His request seems reasonable—why shouldn't the most dramatically delivered person become Jesus' follower? Yet "Jesus sent him away" (apelysen auton, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτὸν) redirects his calling. The verb apelysen (sent away, dismissed, released) indicates authoritative commission to different service. Not every delivered person is called to follow Jesus geographically; some are commissioned to testify where they are. The man wanted to be with Jesus; Jesus wanted him to be His witness in the Decapolis.

This passage teaches that deliverance creates obligation to testify. The man's dramatic transformation—from naked, violent, demon-possessed tomb-dweller to clothed, peaceful, sound-minded disciple—gave him unique credibility as a witness. His testimony among people who knew his previous condition would be more powerful than an unknown itinerant preacher's words. Jesus strategically deploys witnesses where they'll have maximum impact. Sometimes discipleship means staying home and testifying, not leaving everything to follow geographically.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Decapolis was predominantly Gentile territory where Jesus had limited ministry during His earthly life. His primary focus was "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24), though He occasionally ministered to Gentiles (Centurion's servant, Syrophoenician woman, Gadarene demoniac). By commissioning the healed man to testify in Decapolis, Jesus planted gospel seeds in Gentile soil that would bear fruit in Acts as the church expanded beyond Jewish boundaries.

Mark 5:20 records the man's obedience: "he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel." The verb "publish" (κηρύσσω) means to proclaim as a herald—formal, public announcement. His testimony prepared the region for later ministry. When Jesus returned to Decapolis (Mark 7:31-37), crowds brought the deaf and mute for healing, suggesting the healed demoniac's witness had created receptivity.

Early church missionary strategy often followed this pattern: convert individuals, commission them to witness in their communities, return later to build on established awareness. Paul's missionary journeys demonstrate this methodology—initial evangelism, commission local believers to testify, return to strengthen churches. The healed demoniac becomes the first Gentile missionary, commissioned to evangelize his own people using the powerful testimony of personal transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus' refusal of the man's request to follow Him teach about different callings and forms of discipleship?
  2. How does personal testimony about transformation often carry more weight than external preaching in reaching skeptical communities?
  3. In what ways does Jesus strategically deploy witnesses where they'll have maximum impact rather than keeping all delivered people near Him?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ἐδέετο1 of 19

“besought”

G1189

to beg (as binding oneself), i.e., petition

δὲ2 of 19

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτὸν3 of 19

“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

ὁ4 of 19
G3588

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

ἀνὴρ5 of 19

“the man”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

ἀφ'6 of 19

“out of”

G575

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

οὗ7 of 19

“whom”

G3739

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

ἐξεληλύθει8 of 19

“were departed”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

τὰ9 of 19
G3588

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

δαιμόνια10 of 19

“the devils”

G1140

a daemonic being; by extension a deity

εἶναι11 of 19

“him that he might be”

G1511

to exist

σὺν12 of 19

“with”

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

αὐτὸν13 of 19

“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

ἀπέλυσεν14 of 19

“away”

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

δὲ15 of 19

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτὸν16 of 19

“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

ὁ17 of 19
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς,18 of 19

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

λέγων19 of 19

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

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 8:38 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 8:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 5:18-20Acts 9:13-16Psalms 145:3-12Luke 8:28Deuteronomy 10:20-21Psalms 71:17-18

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 8 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes