Matthew 8:34

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Matthew 8:34 (KJV)

Context

Matthew 8:34 closes the account of Jesus healing two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes, on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. Just before this verse, Jesus had commanded the demons to leave the men, and the demons entered a herd of swine that rushed down a steep place into the sea and drowned (Matthew 8:28-32). The people of the city, having heard what happened, came out to meet Jesus. The phrase “the whole city” is a collective expression meaning the greater part of the inhabitants, not necessarily every individual. Luke’s parallel account says “the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about” came out, indicating that the news spread widely and many people from the city and surrounding region gathered (Luke 8:37).

Meaning

When the people saw Jesus, they did not welcome Him or express gratitude for the deliverance of the two men. Instead, they “besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.” Their request was not motivated by love or respect for Jesus, nor by a desire to welcome Him into their city. Rather, they were likely motivated by curiosity to see such an extraordinary person, and by fear and distress over the loss of their herd of swine. The townspeople were more concerned with their material loss than with the miraculous demonstration of Jesus’ divine power and authority. Their request for Jesus to depart reveals a rejection of His presence and authority, preferring their earthly possessions over the presence of the Son of God.

Biblical connections

This event illustrates that encountering Jesus can provoke a response of fear and rejection, especially when His power disrupts worldly interests. The people’s reaction stands in stark contrast to the deliverance of the two men, who were freed from demonic bondage. The verse also shows that Jesus does not force His presence upon those who reject Him; He granted their request and departed (Matthew 9:1). This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of choosing material concerns over the kingdom of God.

Application

The response of the people highlights the contrast between fear and faith. While the people reacted in fear and asked Jesus to leave, we are called to respond to the presence of Christ with faith. Fear can hinder our relationship with God and prevent us from experiencing His transformative power in our lives. Let us strive to have faith, trust in Jesus, and welcome His presence in our hearts.

The incident with the swine teaches us about the importance of setting our priorities right. The people of Gadarenes prioritized their economic gain over the spiritual transformation Jesus offered. We should evaluate our own priorities and ensure that we do not value worldly possessions or interests above our relationship with God.

The people’s resistance to change serves as a reminder that encountering Jesus requires a willingness to let go of old habits, beliefs, and attitudes. When we encounter Christ, He calls us to a life of discipleship, which involves transformation and conforming to His will. Let us be open to change, allowing Jesus to work in our lives and mold us according to His purpose.

Reflection

Matthew 8:34 captures the response of the Gadarenes to Jesus’ miraculous power and reveals various aspects of human nature such as fear, misplaced priorities, and resistance to change. This verse serves as an invitation for us to examine our own hearts and respond to Jesus with faith, aligning our priorities with His and embracing the transformation He brings.