Matthew 8:28-34 · The Healing of Two Demon-possessed Men

28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"

30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."

32 He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

The Healing of Two Demon-possessed Men
Matthew 8:28-34
Understanding Series
by Robert H. Mounce
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A Ministry of Healing: Matthew summarized the public ministry of Jesus as teaching, preaching, and healing in chapter 4 (v. 23; repeated in 9:35). In chapters 5–7 we were introduced to the teaching ministry of Jesus. In chapters 8–9 we will learn of his ministry in deeds. This second main section of the Gospel comprises three series of acts of miraculous power. Each series has three miracles—one in the realm of nature (calming a storm, 8:23–27) and the other eight connected with some form of sickness. Between each set of three is a paragraph or two of material not about miracles (8:18–22; 9:9–17).

By isolating the account of the woman suffering from severe bleeding from the middle of the story of the Jewish official’s daughter who had just died (9:18–26; see vv. 20–22), some count ten mirac…

Baker Publishing Group, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series, by Robert H. Mounce