Devine Scripture

Matthew 8:31

What does Matthew 8:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 8:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 8:31 means

The demons, acknowledging Jesus' power to cast them out, humble themselves and ask for permission to enter the large herd of swine if they are to be expelled from the men. This request reveals their desire to continue their destructive work, even if it means inhabiting animals, and implicitly recognizes Jesus’ complete authority over where they can and cannot go. They cannot act without His explicit permission.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the evil spirits made strong prayers to him, saying, If you send us out, let us go into the herd of pigs.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the demons were calling on him, saying, `If thou dost cast us forth, permit us to go away to the herd of the swine;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us out hence, send us into the herd of swine.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.

Context

Building on the previous verse, this verse presents the demons' specific request to Jesus to enter the swine, demonstrating their submission to His authority. It immediately follows the presence of the pigs being noted and directly precedes Jesus’ command, highlighting the direct spiritual struggle and the demons' desperation before their forceful expulsion.

v.30Now there was afar off from them a herd of many swine feeding.

v.31This passage

v.32And he said unto them, Go. And they came out, and went into the swine: and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep into the sea, and perished in the waters.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 20:1

    And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.

  • Mark 5:12

    And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

  • Revelation 12:12

    Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.

  • Luke 8:30

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

  • Mark 5:7

    and crying out with a loud voice, he saith, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment me not.

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