Devine Scripture

Matthew 8:32

What does Matthew 8:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 8:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 8:32 means

Jesus simply commands the demons, "Go." With this authoritative word, the demons immediately comply, exiting the men and entering the herd of swine. The result is catastrophic: the entire herd, now possessed, rushes violently down a steep bank and drowns in the sea. This rapid, destructive outcome demonstrates the intense power and malevolent nature of the expelled demons, underscoring the severity of the spiritual affliction the men had endured and the absolute authority Jesus wields even over evil spirits.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Go. And they came out, and went into the pigs; and the herd went rushing down a sharp slope into the sea and came to their end in the water.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he saith to them, `Go.' And having come forth, they went to the herd of the swine, and lo, the whole herd of the swine rushed down the steep, to the sea, and died in the waters,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them: Go. But they going out went into the swine, and behold the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea: and they perished in the waters.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, Go. And they, going out, departed into the herd of swine; and lo, the whole herd [of swine] rushed down the steep slope into the sea, and died in the waters.

Context

This verse describes the immediate and dramatic consequence of Jesus' command, fulfilling the demons’ request and leading to the destruction of the swine. It demonstrates Jesus’ absolute authority over demonic forces, providing a powerful display of His power. This event immediately precedes the reaction of the herdsmen and the townspeople, highlighting the impact of Jesus’ presence.

v.31And the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.

v.32This passage

v.33And they that fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to them that were possessed with demons.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 5:13

    And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, in number about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea.

  • Revelation 20:7

    And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

  • Job 2:3

    And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

  • Acts 4:28

    to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass.

  • Job 1:10

    Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

  • Luke 8:33

    And the demons came out from the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were drowned.

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