Luke 8:32

Luke 8:32, in plain English

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs instead, and He gave them permission.

Why it's here

Jesus had complete control of this situation. The demons could not do anything without His say-so. Even their next move required His permission, showing just how total His authority was.

Who's speaking

The demons make their request and Jesus responds.

Where it sits in the story

Spotting a herd of pigs on the hill, the demons begged Jesus to let them enter the animals. He said yes, setting the stage for a dramatic demonstration of the evil that had been inside the man.

The scholarly reading

A large agelē choirōn ('herd of pigs') on the hillside becomes the demons' requested alternative destination. Jesus epitrepsen ('permitted') them to enter the pigs, demonstrating both His sovereign authority and His willingness to grant the request, while the pigs' presence confirms the Gentile setting.

Language and setting

Pigs were ritually unclean animals under Jewish law (Leviticus 11:7), making their presence a clear marker of Gentile territory. Jesus' permission to enter the pigs raises theological questions about the relative value of human versus animal life and property.

Voice

Luke narrates the demons' request and Jesus' response.

Significance

The demons spotted a large herd of pigs on a nearby hillside and begged Jesus to let them enter the animals instead of being sent to the Abyss. Jesus granted their request.

30“What is your name?” Jesus asked.

31And the demons kept begging Jesus not to order them to go into the Abyss.

32There on the hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.

33Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

34When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside.

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.