What is the story of Jesus casting demons into pigs?

The story of Jesus casting demons into pigs is one of the most dramatic and intriguing accounts in the New Testament. This event is recorded in three of the four Gospels: Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, and Luke 8:26-39. Each account provides a slightly different perspective, but they all convey the same powerful message about Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm.

In the Gospel of Mark, which provides the most detailed account, the story begins with Jesus and His disciples arriving by boat to the region of the Gerasenes, which is located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. As soon as Jesus steps out of the boat, He is confronted by a man possessed by an unclean spirit. This man had been living among the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. He had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills, he would cry out and cut himself with stones (Mark 5:3-5).

When the man sees Jesus from a distance, he runs and falls on his knees in front of Him. He shouts at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!" (Mark 5:7). This reaction reveals the recognition of Jesus' divine authority by the demons within the man. The demons know who Jesus is and understand His power over them.

Jesus then asks the man, "What is your name?" The man replies, "My name is Legion, for we are many" (Mark 5:9). A Roman legion consisted of about 6,000 soldiers, indicating that the man was possessed by a large number of demons. The demons beg Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of the area.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons beg Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them" (Mark 5:12). Jesus gives them permission, and the impure spirits come out of the man and go into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushes down the steep bank into the lake and drown (Mark 5:13).

The herdsmen, who were tending the pigs, run off and report this in the town and countryside. People come out to see what had happened. When they come to Jesus, they see the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they are afraid (Mark 5:15). Those who had seen it tell the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and tell about the pigs as well. Then the people begin to plead with Jesus to leave their region (Mark 5:16-17).

As Jesus is getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begs to go with Him. Jesus does not let him but says, "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you" (Mark 5:19). So, the man goes away and begins to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people are amazed (Mark 5:20).

This story is rich with theological significance and offers several important lessons:

1. Jesus' Authority Over Demons: The story underscores Jesus' supreme authority over the spiritual realm. The demons recognize Jesus and are subject to His command. This demonstrates that Jesus is the Son of God with power over all creation, including the forces of evil.

2. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: The account provides a vivid picture of the reality of spiritual warfare. The presence of demons and their destructive influence on the man’s life illustrate the reality of evil and the need for divine intervention. The New Testament frequently speaks of the spiritual battle that believers face (Ephesians 6:12), and this story is a powerful reminder of that truth.

3. The Transformative Power of Jesus: The dramatic transformation of the demon-possessed man highlights the transformative power of Jesus. The man goes from being a tormented outcast to being clothed and in his right mind. This change is a testament to the healing and restoring power of Jesus. It also serves as a metaphor for the spiritual transformation that Jesus brings to all who come to Him in faith (2 Corinthians 5:17).

4. The Response of the People: The reaction of the townspeople is also noteworthy. Instead of rejoicing over the man’s deliverance, they are afraid and ask Jesus to leave. This response may reflect their fear of the unknown and the disruption of their livelihood (the loss of the pigs). It serves as a cautionary tale about the human tendency to resist divine intervention when it challenges our comfort and status quo.

5. The Commission to Witness: Finally, Jesus’ instruction to the healed man to go and tell his story underscores the importance of personal testimony. The man becomes a witness to the power and mercy of Jesus in the Decapolis, a largely Gentile region. His testimony prepares the way for future ministry in that area. This emphasizes the role of every believer to share their personal experience of Jesus’ transformative power with others (Acts 1:8).

The story of Jesus casting demons into pigs is a powerful narrative that reveals His divine authority, the reality of spiritual warfare, the transformative power of His grace, the varied human responses to His intervention, and the call to witness. It stands as a testament to the comprehensive scope of Jesus’ mission to bring healing, deliverance, and salvation to a broken world.