King James Version

What Does Matthew 8:34 Mean?

Matthew 8:34 in the King James Version says “And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.”

Matthew 8:34 · KJV

Context

32

And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

33

And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

34

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The City's Rejection of Jesus: This verse describes the Gadarenes' shocking response after Jesus liberated two demon-possessed men by casting demons into a herd of swine (Matthew 8:28-32). The Greek phrase "the whole city" (pasa hē polis, πᾶσα ἡ πόλις) emphasizes communal action—this wasn't a few individuals but corporate rejection. They "came out to meet" (exēlthen eis hypantēsin, ἐξῆλθεν εἰς ὑπάντησιν) Jesus, initially suggesting welcome, but their purpose was hostile: they "besought him to depart" (parekaleson hopōs metabē, παρεκάλεσον ὅπως μεταβῇ), urgently requesting His departure from "their coasts" or borders.

Economics Over Deliverance: The Gadarenes' request reveals tragic priorities. They witnessed an extraordinary miracle—two violently insane men (so fierce "no man could pass by that way," v. 28) were completely restored to sanity. Yet rather than celebrating liberation or seeking Jesus' teaching, they focused on economic loss (the drowned swine herd, likely numbering around 2,000 according to Mark 5:13). Material prosperity trumped spiritual deliverance, demonstrating how love of money blinds people to divine visitation. They preferred profitable pigs over the presence of God incarnate.

A Pattern of Rejection: This incident foreshadows Israel's broader rejection of Messiah and the gospel's turning to Gentiles. Jesus didn't force His presence on those who rejected Him—He departed as requested (Matthew 8:34 records He "entered into a ship and passed over"). Throughout the Gospels, Jesus honors human will even when it chooses against salvation. The Gadarenes' rejection contrasts sharply with the healed demoniac's response in Mark 5:18-20—he begged to follow Jesus and instead became a missionary to his own people. This illustrates that divine encounter produces either radical acceptance or rejection, but never neutrality.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This miracle occurred in the "country of the Gergesenes" (Matthew 8:28), identified with Gadara, one of the Decapolis cities—ten Greco-Roman cities east of the Sea of Galilee with predominantly Gentile populations. Archaeological excavations at Gadara (modern Umm Qais in Jordan) have uncovered extensive Hellenistic and Roman ruins, confirming its prosperity through agriculture and trade during the first century AD.

The presence of a large swine herd indicates Gentile territory, as pigs were unclean to Jews (Leviticus 11:7). Pork was a dietary staple and economic commodity in Greco-Roman culture. The herd's destruction represented significant financial loss, explaining the city's distress. However, their response reveals skewed values—they cared more about economic stability than the oppressed men's freedom or spiritual truth.

Gadara lay about six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, though the demon-possessed men met Jesus near the shore where steep hills descend to the water—the location where the swine rushed into the sea (Mark 5:13). This region was Jesus' only recorded ministry in predominantly Gentile territory during His earthly ministry, anticipating the gospel's eventual spread beyond Israel. Early church father Origen (3rd century AD) and later Jerome (4th-5th century) discussed the geographical details of this account, confirming ancient awareness of Gadara's location and Gentile character. The Gadarenes' rejection mirrors persistent human tendency to resist divine intervention that threatens comfort or prosperity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Gadarenes' choice of economics over spiritual deliverance reveal about human nature's priorities?
  2. How should Christians respond when God's work in their lives or communities requires material sacrifice or disrupts comfortable patterns?
  3. What is the significance of Jesus respecting the Gadarenes' request to depart rather than forcing His presence upon them?
  4. How does this incident anticipate the gospel's movement from Israel to the Gentiles when many Jews rejected Jesus?
  5. In what ways might modern believers similarly request Jesus to 'depart' from areas of life that His presence would disrupt or cost us economically or socially?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
καὶ1 of 20

“And”

G2532

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

ἰδού,2 of 20

“behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

πᾶσα3 of 20

“the whole”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἡ4 of 20
G3588

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

πόλις5 of 20

“city”

G4172

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

ἐξῆλθεν6 of 20

“came out”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

εἰς7 of 20

“to”

G1519

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

συνάντησιν8 of 20

“meet”

G4877

a meeting with

τῷ9 of 20
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦ10 of 20

“Jesus”

G2424

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

καὶ11 of 20

“And”

G2532

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

ἰδόντες12 of 20

“when they saw”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

αὐτῶν13 of 20

“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

παρεκάλεσαν14 of 20

“they besought”

G3870

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

ὅπως15 of 20

“him that”

G3704

what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)

μεταβῇ16 of 20

“he would depart”

G3327

to change place

ἀπὸ17 of 20

“out of”

G575

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

τῶν18 of 20
G3588

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

ὁρίων19 of 20

“their coasts”

G3725

a boundary-line, i.e., (by implication) a frontier (region)

αὐτῶν20 of 20

“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 Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 8:34 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 Matthew 8:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 16:39Luke 5:8Luke 8:37-39Job 21:14Mark 5:17-18Job 22:17

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