Matthew 8:30
And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
4 of 9
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 9
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
Cross References
Mark 5:11Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.Deuteronomy 14:8And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.Leviticus 11:7And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
Historical Context
Pigs were raised primarily for Gentile consumption in the Decapolis region. The presence of a large herd (Mark 5:13 says about 2000) indicates significant commercial operation. The herdsmen's livelihood would be destroyed by what follows, explaining their hostile reaction to Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the demons' preference for embodiment in pigs over disembodiment reveal about the misery of their judged condition?
- How does the subsequent destruction of the pigs demonstrate that demonic power always leads to destruction and chaos?
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Analysis & Commentary
The presence of 'a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding' confirms this is Gentile territory, as Jews considered swine unclean and wouldn't raise them. The detail sets up the demons' request to enter the pigs, demonstrating both Christ's absolute authority over demons and the destructive nature of demonic power. That demons prefer embodiment in unclean animals to disembodiment shows the horror of their existence under God's judgment.