Matthew 8:34
And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The city residents didn't beg Jesus to leave because they were inherently evil; rather, they prioritized their economic livelihood—their swine—over the spiritual well-being and healing that Jesus offered. Their fear wasn't just about losing property, but a deeper fear that Jesus' presence would disrupt their comfort and bring further, unknown consequences, revealing a profound preference for worldly security over divine grace.
After Jesus powerfully delivered two men from demonic possession, an entire crowd from the nearby city came to meet him. However, instead of welcoming him, they were so afraid of further disruption and loss, particularly of their valuable herds of pigs, that they begged him to leave their region entirely.
Imagine seeing undeniable proof of God's power, a miracle that frees someone from torment. What would your reaction be? For the people of Gadara, it wasn't awe, but fear and a desperate plea for Jesus to leave.
The people of the city rushed out to meet Jesus, but their motivation wasn't admiration or a desire for more miracles. Instead, they were driven by a mix of fear and greed.
Fear of the Unknown
News of the dramatic deliverance of the demon-possessed men, especially the destruction of their valuable herd of swine, had clearly spread. This display of power, while miraculous, was also disruptive and frightening. They likely feared that further encounters with Jesus would bring more losses and upheaval to their lives.
The Grip of Greed
Commentaries suggest that the primary reason for their request was the financial loss they suffered from the destruction of the swine. They valued their property, their livelihood, more than the presence of the one who could bring true healing and wholeness. This highlights a deep-seated love for worldly possessions over spiritual blessings.
This response shows how easily fear and attachment to material things can blind us to God's presence and work.
Jesus offered a glimpse of God's kingdom, a chance for a spiritual awakening. But the people of Gadara chose differently, sending Him away. What does this rejection signify?
The people's request for Jesus to depart wasn't just a polite dismissal; it was a rejection of the divine and an embrace of the status quo.
The Cost of Rejection
By asking Jesus to leave, they chose to remain in their spiritual state, untouched by the transformative power that had just been displayed. They preferred their familiar, albeit broken, way of life over the potentially challenging but ultimately redemptive presence of Christ.
A Missed Invitation
Understand the original words
Iesoun · Greek Proper Noun
The incarnate Son of God, the Messiah and Savior who possesses divine authority over the physical and spiritual realms, including nature, sickness, and the demonic world.
horion · Greek Noun
A geographical or political territory; in the New Testament, it often refers to a district or region, sometimes carrying the connotation of a place where a particular influence or mindset prevails.
This encounter highlights a stark contrast: Jesus delivers a man from overwhelming demonic possession, yet the very people who witness this miraculous act prioritize their material possessions (swine) over the presence of the divine healer, revealing a deep spiritual blindness and fear of disruption.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus travels through the Decapolis
Jesus enters the Decapolis region, a predominantly Gentile area east of the Jordan River, where he encounters and heals the two demon-possessed men.
c. 1st century AD
Destruction of the Gerasene swine
After Jesus permits the demons to enter a herd of swine, the animals rush into the sea and drown. This event deeply distresses the local economy.
c. 1st century AD
The Gerasenes fear Jesus
Terrified by the power Jesus displayed and the economic loss of their swine, the inhabitants of the city beg Jesus to leave their region.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus departs the region
Jesus complies with their request and leaves the territory of the Gerasenes, sailing back across the Sea of Galilee.
Peter's reaction to Jesus' power is a stark contrast, as he, recognizing his own sinfulness, begs Jesus to depart out of humility, not fear or greed like the Gadarenes.
John 3:19-20This passage explains the core reason for the Gadarenes' request: they loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil, making Jesus' presence a discomfort and a judgment.
Hosea 10:14-15This Old Testament prophecy describes a similar response to God's judgment and power, where people would rather face destruction than confront the Lord, mirroring the Gadarenes' preference for their property over Jesus.
Matthew 13:57-58Jesus faced similar rejection in His hometown, where His familiarity bred contempt and a lack of faith, showing that encountering Jesus doesn't always lead to welcome, especially when it challenges people's comfort.
barnesMatthew 8:34: "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."
The whole city came out - The people of the city probably came with a view of arresting him for the injury done to the property; but, seeing him, and being awed by his presence, they only besought him to leave them. Out of their coasts - Out of their country. This shows: 1. That the design of Satan is to prejudice people against the Saviour, and…
clarkeMatthew 8:34: "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."
The whole city came out - Probably with the intention to destroy Jesus for having destroyed their swine; but, having seen him, they were awed by his presence; and only besought him to depart from their borders. Many rather chose to lose Jesus Christ than those temporal goods by which they gratify their passions at the expense of their souls. They…
The city residents didn't beg Jesus to leave because they were inherently evil; rather, they prioritized their economic livelihood—their swine—over the spiritual well-being and healing that Jesus offered. Their fear wasn't just about losing property, but a deeper fear that Jesus' presence would disrupt their comfort and bring further, unknown consequences, revealing a profound preference for worldly security over divine grace.
After Jesus powerfully delivered two men from demonic possession, an entire crowd from the nearby city came to meet him. However, instead of welcoming him, they were so afraid of further disruption and loss, particularly of their valuable herds of pigs, that they begged him to leave their region entirely.
After Jesus powerfully delivered two men from demonic possession, an entire crowd from the nearby city came to meet him. However, instead of welcoming him, they were so afraid of further disruption and loss, particularly of their valuable herds of pigs, that they begged him to leave their region entirely.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 8:34 is available in the Sola app.
This event serves as a stark reminder that Jesus' offer of salvation is not always met with open arms. Sometimes, people prefer the comfort of their sins or the security of their worldly possessions over the demands and blessings of following Christ. Their fear and attachment to their property led them to reject the very one who could have brought them true peace and deliverance from deeper spiritual bondage.
c. 1st century AD
The healed man becomes an evangelist
One of the men freed from the demons is commissioned by Jesus to return home and proclaim God's mercy, becoming an early witness to the Gospel in the Decapolis.
"And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region." — The city residents didn't beg Jesus to leave because they were inherently evil; rather, they prioritized their economic livelihood—their swine—over the spiritual well-being and healing that Jesus off…
