Luke 8:26–39: From Wild Man to God’s Man

July 30, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come. 

Luke's Gospel unfolds in three major movements: the year of popularity, the year of opposition, and the year of rejection. As we follow Jesus from the beginning of his ministry in Galilee to Jerusalem, we see him moving toward the mission he will ultimately fulfill—his death on the cross for our sin. Thus far, we have been following Jesus during his year of popularity.

In our passage today, Luke says that Jesus and the disciples "sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee." Jesus deliberately planned this trip. He had already shown the disciples his power over nature when he calmed a violent storm, and now he would reveal his power over the forces of Satan. 

The country of the Gerasenes was on the east side of the Sea of Galilee and was inhabited mostly by non-Jewish people. The presence of herds of pigs in the area confirms this, since pigs were abhorrent to the Jews. Normally, when Jesus arrived in an area, large crowds were waiting for him. But as Jesus stepped ashore this time, he was met by a demon-possessed man. 

The man appeared to be a madman. People had tried to restrain him with chains and shackles, but through demonic power he was always able to break free. The demons controlled his actions and drove him to live naked in caves outside the city, among the tombs. 

Upon seeing Jesus, the man "cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, 'What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me'" (Luke 8:28). 

The demons knew exactly who Jesus was—the Son of the Most High God. They recognized that Jesus was God in the flesh. They understood what he had come to do, and they knew that eternal punishment was coming.^[1] Here they were pleading for a temporary delay in their ultimate judgment. 

When Jesus asked for the demon's name, the answer was "Legion." A legion was a military unit of about 6,000 soldiers. This man was possessed by many demons who "begged [Jesus]  not to command them to depart into the abyss" (Luke 8:31). According to Bible scholar Trent Butler, the abyss was "a place where demons and evil spirits were kept in prison. Even demons want freedom."^[2] 

At the demons' request, Jesus allowed them to enter a herd of pigs, and the herd "rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned" (Luke 8:33). The herdsmen were amazed at what they saw and ran to tell everyone. "People went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed" (Luke 8:35–36). 

You would think the people would have been amazed by what had just taken place— a demon-possessed man had been freed from the evil spirits that controlled him. Instead, they seemed more concerned and upset about their loss of income from the destroyed herd. They told Jesus to leave them. They "were seized with great fear" (Luke 8:37) because of Jesus' power, and they had no desire to understand who he was. 

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the healed man, now clothed and in his right mind, begged to go with him and the apostles. But Jesus said to him, "'Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.' And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him" (Luke 8:39). 

When Jesus was among the Jews, he often told those he healed not to speak about his healing power. We'll see that again next time. But here, in Gentile territory, Jesus told the man who had been rescued from demon possession to spread the word. 

Consider this: a man once tormented by many demons became the first missionary to the Gentiles. Transformed by God, this former wild man boldly told everyone who would listen what Jesus had done for him. It's remarkable how God used him to prepare the way for others who would come after him, such as Paul, called the apostle to the Gentiles. 

Truly, the greatest miracle is a transformed life—and that is what this man displayed and shared with others. 

Read and reflect on Luke 8:26–39. Jesus told the healed man to "return to your home and declare how much God has done for you." Who in your circle of influence needs to hear how Christ has changed your life?

Talking to God: Ask God to show you who needs to hear your story and pray for the opportunity to share it. 

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