Luke 8:28

Luke 8:28, in plain English

When the man saw Jesus, he screamed, fell down before Him, and shouted, 'What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please do not torture me!'

Why it's here

Even the demons knew exactly who Jesus was. The irony is powerful: evil spirits confessed what many people could not see. They recognized His authority and trembled.

Who's speaking

The demons speak through the possessed man, addressing Jesus directly.

Where it sits in the story

The tormented man threw himself at Jesus' feet, and the demons inside him screamed out Jesus' true identity: Son of the Most High God. They knew who He was and they were terrified.

The scholarly reading

The demonized man cries out (anakraxas) and falls before Jesus, addressing Him as Iēsou huie tou theou tou hypsistou ('Jesus, Son of the Most High God'). The demons' recognition of Jesus' divine identity and their plea mē me basanisēs ('do not torture me') reveals supernatural awareness of His authority.

Language and setting

The title 'Most High God' (theos hypsistos) was used by both Jews and Gentiles for the supreme deity, fitting the Gentile setting. The demons' knowledge of Jesus' identity contrasts with human ignorance and echoes the messianic secret theme.

Voice

The demonized man, speaking under demonic influence, addresses Jesus with a supernatural confession.

Significance

Seeing Jesus, the man screamed and fell at His feet, with the demons inside him crying out Jesus' divine title and begging not to be tormented, revealing their terrified recognition of His authority.

26Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee.

27When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothing or lived in a house, but he stayed in the tombs.

28When the man saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, shouting in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You not to torture me!”

29For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and been driven by the demon into solitary places.

30“What is your name?” Jesus asked.

Read all of Luke 8 — A storm, a legion of demons, a bleeding woman, and a dead girl — Jesus moves through a world of chaos and brings order with a word or a touch.