Matthew 8:28
And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐλθόντι
was come
G2064
ἐλθόντι
was come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 30
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 30
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
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 30
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πέραν
the other side
G4008
πέραν
the other side
Strong's:
G4008
Word #:
6 of 30
through (as adverb or preposition), i.e., across
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 30
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χώραν
the country
G5561
χώραν
the country
Strong's:
G5561
Word #:
9 of 30
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γεργεσηνῶν,
of the Gergesenes
G1086
Γεργεσηνῶν,
of the Gergesenes
Strong's:
G1086
Word #:
11 of 30
a gergesene (i.e., girgashite) or one of the people from palestine
ὑπήντησαν
there met
G5221
ὑπήντησαν
there met
Strong's:
G5221
Word #:
12 of 30
to go opposite (meet) under (quietly), i.e., to encounter, fall in with
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 30
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
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
16 of 30
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημείων
the tombs
G3419
μνημείων
the tombs
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
18 of 30
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
χαλεποὶ
fierce
G5467
χαλεποὶ
fierce
Strong's:
G5467
Word #:
20 of 30
difficult, i.e., dangerous, or (by implication) furious
ὥστε
so that
G5620
ὥστε
so that
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
22 of 30
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
23 of 30
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἰσχύειν
might
G2480
ἰσχύειν
might
Strong's:
G2480
Word #:
24 of 30
to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)
παρελθεῖν
pass
G3928
παρελθεῖν
pass
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
26 of 30
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
27 of 30
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.Matthew 4:24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Historical Context
The Gergesenes (also called Gadarenes or Gerasenes in parallel accounts) lived in the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile region east of Galilee. The presence of pigs (verse 30) confirms the Gentile setting, as Jews considered swine unclean. This mission to Gentile territory prefigures the gospel's expansion beyond Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the demoniacs' condition teach about Satan's goal of dehumanizing and destroying those under his power?
- How does this Gentile exorcism demonstrate that Christ's power extends beyond ethnic Israel to all nations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The mention of 'two possessed with devils' in the country of the Gergesenes introduces the dramatic exorcism that follows. Matthew mentions two demoniacs while Mark and Luke focus on one (perhaps the more prominent). Their dwelling among tombs and exceeding fierceness demonstrates the dehumanizing effects of demonic possession—isolation from community, dwelling with death, and violence. This illustrates Satan's work of theft, killing, and destruction (John 10:10).