Luke 8:31
What does Luke 8:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:31 means
Luke 8:31 notes that the demons begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss. The “abyss” is a place of confinement for evil spirits, and the demons fear it. Their plea shows their awareness of divine judgment and their desire to avoid final destruction or imprisonment. This verse highlights both their vulnerability before Jesus and the reality of eschatological punishment for demonic powers. It also sets up their next request—to enter swine—which will have tragic consequences for the herd and provoke local reaction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they made a request to him that he would not give them an order to go away into the deep.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he was calling on him, that he may not command them to go away to the abyss,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they besought him that he would not command them to go into the abyss.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they besought him that he would not command them to go away into the bottomless pit.
Context
Following the naming of the demons as Legion, their entreaty not to be sent to the abyss continues the negotiation. This moment heightens tension: demons seek a temporary refuge rather than annihilation, revealing their strategy. The chapter now moves toward the transfer into the swine and the town’s response to the dramatic outcome.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 9:1
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.
- Job 2:5
But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.
- Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
- Philippians 2:10
that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,
- Revelation 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.
- Job 1:11
But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face.
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