Luke 8:32
What does Luke 8:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:32 means
Luke 8:32 records that there was a herd of swine feeding on the mountain, and the demons asked to be allowed to enter them; Jesus gave them leave. The request reveals demons’ preference for occupying animals rather than being confined. Jesus’ permission indicates his authoritative control over demons while also allowing consequences that will disclose reality to the local population. The swine—unclean animals for Jews—serve as a fitting receptacle in this Gentile region. The transfer will lead to visible destruction, prompting public reaction and theological questions about loss and salvation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they entreated him that he would give them leave to enter into them. And he gave them leave.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they entreated him that he would give them leave to enter into them. And he gave them leave.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now there was a great herd of pigs in that place, getting food on the mountain: and the evil spirits made a request to him that he would let them go into the pigs, and he let them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there was there a herd of many swine feeding in the mountain, and they were calling on him, that he might suffer them to enter into these, and he suffered them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain, and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into those; and he suffered them.
Context
This verse follows the demons’ plea and introduces a pivotal action: allowing them into swine. It connects the spiritual contest with tangible economic and communal effects. The narrative now moves to the swine’s destruction and the varied human responses—fear, curiosity, witness—which reveal different receptions of Jesus’ work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 8:30
Now there was afar off from them a herd of many swine feeding.
- Isaiah 66:3
He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth swine’s blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations:
- 1 Kings 22:22
And Jehovah said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so.
- 1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
- Mark 5:11
Now there was there on the mountain side a great herd of swine feeding.
- Leviticus 11:7
And the swine, because he parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, but cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you.
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