Swine or Souls: A Gadarene Lesson

When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

Matthew 8:28-34

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Restoration at a Price

After calming the stormy seas, Jesus arrives in the Gadarenes’ Gentile region to confront the inner tempests of two demoniacs. Dwelling among tombs, their existence reflected their souls’ desolation. Their savagery isolated them, deterring travelers from that desolate road.

As Jesus approaches, the demons shriek, “What have you to do with us, Son of God?” Acknowledging his authority, they beg to enter a nearby swine herd. Unable to torment God’s image-bearers further, they seek to provoke chaos by destroying the townspeople’s livelihood. Jesus consents—“Go then!”—and the herd stampedes into the sea and drowns.

Alarmed by the loss of their swine, the townspeople plead for Jesus to leave, heedless of the men’s miraculous healing. For years, absorbed in their daily toil, they ignored the demoniacs’ cries, mirroring the complacency of modern hearts numbed to the poor’s plight. This episode exposes earthly priorities that value material wealth over the infinite worth of human souls.

The sea, like the Flood waters that saved Noah’s family (1 Peter 3:20-21), symbolizes baptism’s destruction of evil, foreshadowing Christ’s victory over sin. This Gospel story calls us to examine our hearts: Do we prioritize God and neighbor, as Christ commands, or cling to comfort, deaf to the suffering around us?

Traditional Chinese Translation

《豬或靈魂：加大拉的教訓》
以豬的代價治癒了兩個人
卻激怒了一個城鎮，
鎮民要趕走具神性的基督。