Luke 8:36
They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
First-century legal and historical standards required eyewitness testimony for establishing facts. Jewish law mandated two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15, Matthew 18:16, 2 Corinthians 13:1). Roman legal proceedings similarly valued eyewitness accounts over hearsay. Luke, writing as historian (Luke 1:1-4), carefully documents multiple witnesses—swineherds, disciples, Jesus, the healed man himself, and "they which saw it."
The Greek term apēngeilan (reported, declared, announced) appears frequently in Luke-Acts describing testimony about Jesus' works (Luke 8:47, 9:36, Acts 4:23, 12:14). Luke emphasizes verifiable, testified facts—not myths or legends but documented events with named witnesses and specific details. This historical method builds confidence in the gospel's reliability.
Early church apologists (Justin Martyr, Origen, Eusebius) defended Christianity by appealing to eyewitness testimony documented in Gospels and Acts. They argued that Christianity, unlike pagan myths, was rooted in verifiable historical events witnessed by multiple people who testified publicly, often at cost of persecution or death. Modern apologetics continues using eyewitness testimony as evidence for resurrection and miracles. Luke's careful documentation provides foundation for this evidential approach.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the emphasis on multiple eyewitnesses strengthen confidence in the miracle's historical reliability?
- What does Luke's careful documentation of testimony teach about the relationship between faith and evidence?
- Why does God provide overwhelming evidence for His works, yet many still reject despite proof?
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Analysis & Commentary
They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Additional eyewitness testimony reinforces the miracle's credibility. "They also which saw it" (apēngeilan de autois hoi idontes, ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ αὐτοῖς οἱ ἰδόντες) identifies another group of witnesses beyond the swineherds—likely Jesus' disciples and others present at the exorcism. "Told them" (ἀπήγγειλαν) indicates formal testimony, official report. "By what means" (pōs, πῶς) shows they explained the process, methodology, sequence of events—not merely that healing occurred but how it happened.
"He that was possessed of the devils was healed" (esōthē ho daimonistheis, ἐσώθη ὁ δαιμονισθείς) uses the verb sōzō (σῴζω), meaning saved, healed, delivered—the same term used for eternal salvation. This physical deliverance from demons illustrates spiritual salvation from sin. The passive voice "was healed" emphasizes divine action—he didn't heal himself; Jesus healed him. The perfect passive participle "that was possessed" (ὁ δαιμονισθείς) indicates his previous condition: one who had been thoroughly demonized.
Luke's inclusion of this verse emphasizes the importance of testimony and evidence. The gospel rests on eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:1-4, Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 2 Peter 1:16, 1 John 1:1-3). Multiple witnesses observing and reporting the same event establishes reliability. This miracle wasn't performed in secret but publicly, with numerous observers able to verify every detail. Such evidence should compel belief, yet verse 37 shows many still reject despite overwhelming proof.