Devine Scripture

Luke 8:30

What does Luke 8:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 8:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 8:30 means

Luke 8:30 records Jesus asking the demon its name; the response is “Legion,” because many demons had entered the man. The name reveals the multitude and organized nature of the possession, evoking a Roman military term for a large force. This disclosure dramatizes the severity of the spiritual oppression and suggests the adversary’s attempt to assert power. Jesus’ question also exposes the reality behind the man’s condition and frames the upcoming exchange about where the spirits may go, clarifying that this is a contest of authority.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus said to him, What is your name? And he said, Legion; for a number of spirits had gone into him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus questioned him, saying, `What is thy name?' and he said, `Legion,' (because many demons were entered into him,)

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus asked him, saying: What is thy name? But he said: Legion. Because many devils were entered into him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus asked him saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: for many demons had entered into him.

Context

Following the account of the man’s repeated seizures, this verse moves the exchange into a probing interrogation. Naming the demons “Legion” raises the stakes by highlighting the great number involved and prepares for the demons’ request to be sent elsewhere—a request that will reveal human and communal reactions to Jesus’ work.

v.29For he was commanding the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the demon into the deserts.

v.30This passage

v.31And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 5:9

    And he asked him, What is thy name? And he saith unto him, My name is Legion; for we are many.

  • Luke 8:2

    and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

  • Matthew 8:29

    And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

  • Mark 16:9

    Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

  • Matthew 26:53

    Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?

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