Luke 8:29

(For he had commanded the vncleane spirit to come out of the man: For oftentimes it had caught him, and he was kept bound with chaines, and in fetters: and he brake the bands, and was driuen of the deuil into the wildernesse.) Luke 8:29 (KJV)

“And he asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.” The passage containing this dialogue is found in Luke 8:26‑39, set in the region of the Gadarenes (or Gerasenes) on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus and His disciples arrive there and encounter a man tormented by a multitude of demons. By His authority Jesus commands the demons to leave, and they enter a herd of pigs, which then rush down a steep bank into the sea and drown.

In this verse Jesus asks the possessed man for his name, and the man replies, “Legion,” a term that denoted a Roman military unit of thousands. The response makes clear that a great number of evil spirits were inhabiting the man.

The scene highlights several key truths. First, it displays the power of Jesus over the spiritual realm; even the forces of darkness submit to His command. Second, the presence of many demons underscores the severe and oppressive nature of demonic possession. Third, by asking for the man’s name, Jesus shows concern for the individual behind the affliction, affirming the person’s identity and worth. Finally, the transfer of the demons into the pigs and their subsequent destruction illustrates the destructive character of evil spirits and provides a vivid visual of the man’s liberation.

Application follows naturally. The power of Christ that expelled the demons is the same power that can break every spiritual bondage we face today. Jesus’ attention to the man’s name reminds us that each believer is known personally by God and valued as a unique individual. The man’s deliverance points to the freedom available to all who trust in Christ, offering restoration and new life. Moreover, the episode reminds believers that a spiritual battle rages in the world; we are called to be vigilant and to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10‑18) to resist the enemy.

In summary, Luke 8:29 (and its surrounding context) reveals Jesus’ supreme authority over evil spirits, exposes the destructive nature of demonic oppression, affirms individual worth, and urges believers to seek deliverance and stand firm in spiritual warfare.