Devine Scripture

Matthew 8:33

What does Matthew 8:33 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 8:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 8:33 means

The swineherds, witnessing the immediate and catastrophic destruction of the entire herd, flee in terror. They promptly go into the nearby city and report everything that had occurred, including the details of the demon-possessed men's dramatic transformation. Their eyewitness account serves to widely publicize Jesus’ powerful deed, spreading the news of His incredible authority throughout the region and sparking a community-wide reaction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And their keepers went in flight to the town and gave an account of everything, and of the men who had the evil spirits.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and those feeding did flee, and, having gone to the city, they declared all, and the matter of the demoniacs.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they that kept them fled: and coming into the city, told every thing, and concerning them that had been possessed by the devils.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But they that fed them fled, and went away into the city and related everything, and what had happened as to those possessed by demons.

Context

This verse details the flight of the herdsmen and their report to the city, serving as the immediate consequence of the swine's destruction. This crucial dissemination of information sets the stage for the reaction of the entire city, leading directly into their encounter with Jesus and their unexpected request for Him to leave.

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.

v.33This passage

v.34And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their borders.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 19:15

    And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

  • Mark 5:14

    And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came to see what it was that had come to pass.

  • Luke 8:34

    And when they that fed them saw what had come to pass, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.

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