Luke 8:37 (WEB)
All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. Then he entered into the boat and returned.
Catechism · 1
“They anticipate Jesus' great victory over "the ruler of this world".” — Catechism footnote: Jn 12:31; cf. Lk 8:26-39.
Fathers and councils · 41
Augustine of Hippo
“…who were possessed with the fierce devil, and who brake their bands and were driven into the wilderness,—are given also in like manner by Mark and Luke.” — editor's note: Mark iv. 36; Luke viii. 22–37.
Read the whole comment“…the incidents of the ship in which Jesus was asleep, and the miracle performed in the expulsion of the devils in the country of the Gerasenes,—two events which Matthew has already recalled and introduced at an earlier stage of his record.” — editor's note: Mark iv. 35, v. 17; Luke viii. 22–37. [On the variations in the name, see critical editions of Greek text. Comp. Revised Version. The Latin versions generally…
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Ambrose of Milan
“The Gerasenes could not bear the presence of Christ; these, worse than the Gerasenes, cannot endure the praises of Christ.” — editor's note: S. Luke viii. 37.
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
The Saviour, as He sailed with His disciples, came to a port, as it is said, And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
Read the whole comment - Titus of BostraCatena Aurea on Luke
Many accurate copies have neither “Gerazenes” nor “Gadarenes,” but “Gergezenes.” For Gadara is a city in Judæa, but neither lake nor sea is found at it; and Geraza is a city of Arabia, having neither lake nor sea…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
For Geraza is a famous city of Arabia, on the other side of the Jordan, close to the mountain of Galaad, which was possessed by the tribe of Manasseh, and not far from the lake of Tiberias, into which the swine were…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
But as soon as our Lord had departed from the sea, He meets with another more awful wonder. For the demoniac, like an evil slave, when he sees Him confirms his bondage, as it follows, And when he went forth to land,…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Whereas Matthew says, that there were two possessed, but Mark and Luke mention only one; you must understand one of them to be a more distinguished and famous person, for whom that neighbourhood was chiefly…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Or, Luke selected from the two the one who was most savage. Hence he gives the most melancholy account of his calamity, adding, And he wore no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. But the evil…
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
Now his going naked among the tombs of the dead was a mark of demoniacal wildness. But God permits some in His providence to become subject to evil spirits, that we may ascertain through them of what kind the evil…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
But because the people acknowledged Him to be man, the devils came publishing His divinity, which even the sea had proclaimed by its calmness. Hence it follows, When he saw Jesus he fell down before him, and with a…
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
Mark here the combination of fear with boldness and great desperation, for it is a sign of devilish despair to speak out boldly, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? but of fear when they…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Therefore since no one could hold the possessed, Christ goes to him and addresses him. It follows, And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name?
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
He enquires not his name as ignorant of it, but that when the demoniac had confessed the plague which he endured, the power of the Healer might shine forth more welcome to him. But the priests also of our time, who…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
Certain evil spirits imitating the heavenly hosts and the legions of Angels say that they are legions. As also their prince says that he will exalt his throne above the stars that he may be like to the Most High.…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
But when the Lord had overcome the evil spirits which disturbed His creatures, they thought that because of the enormity of those things which had been done, He would not wait the time of their punishment, and…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Which indeed the devils demand, wishing yet longer to mix with mankind.
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
And hence it is plain that the rebel hosts against the Divine Majesty were thrust down to hell by the unspeakable power of the Saviour.
Read the whole comment - Maximus the ConfessorCatena Aurea on Luke
Now the Lord ordains for each class of sinners an appropriate punishment. The fire of Hell unquenchable for fleshly burnings, gnashing of teeth for wanton mirth, intolerable thirst for pleasure and revelry, the worm…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
The words of Mark, that there was a herd of swine nigh unto the mountains, and of Luke, on the mountains, do not differ from one another. For the herd of swine was so large, that they might be part on the mountain,…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
But the devils could not endure the clearness of the light of heaven, as those who have weak eyes can not bear the sun’s rays.
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
The multitude of unclean spirits seek therefore to be sent into the herd of unclean swine, like to themselves, for it follows, And they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them.
Read the whole comment - Athanasius of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
But if they have no power over swine, the evil spirits have much less against men who are made after the image of God. We ought then to fear God alone, but despise them.
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
But the Lord granted them permission, that this might be among other things to us an occasion of benefit, and the confidence of our safety. It follows, And he suffered them. We must therefore consider that the evil…
Read the whole comment - Titus of BostraCatena Aurea on Luke
But the shepherds take flight, lest they should perish with the swine. Hence it follows, When they that fed them saw what was done they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country, and excited the like…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
They feared lest they should again suffer some loss, as they had suffered in the drowning of the swine.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
But observe the humility of Christ; for when after conferring so great benefits upon them they sent Him away, He offers no obstacle, but departs, leaving those who had proclaimed themselves unworthy of His teaching.…
Read the whole comment - Titus of BostraCatena Aurea on Luke
But as He was departing, the man who had been afflicted will not part from his Saviour, for it follows, Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him.
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
For as one who had been tried by experience, he feared, lest perhaps when far from Jesus he should again become the prey of evil spirits. But the Lord shews him, that though He is not present with him, He can protect…
Read the whole comment - Titus of BostraCatena Aurea on Luke
He does not however turn aside from the law of truth, for whatever the Son doth the Father doth. But why does He, who every where charged those who were delivered to tell no one, say to this man who was delivered…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
And so abandoning those who had proclaimed themselves unworthy of His teaching, He appoints as their teacher the man who had been released from the evil spirits.
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
Now mystically; Gerasa signifies the Gentile nations, whom after His passion and resurrection Christ visited in His preachers. Hence Gerasa or Gergesa, as some say, is by interpretation “casting out an inhabitant,”…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Now although the number of those healed by Christ is different in Luke and Matthew, yet the mystery is one and the same. For as he who had a devil is the figure of the Gentile people, the two also in like manner take…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
He abode in no house, that is, he had no rest in his conscience; he dwelt among the tombs, because he delighted in dead works in his sins.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Or what are the bodies of the unbelieving but kinds of tombs in which the word of God abides not?
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Now that he was bound by brazen fetters and chains, signifies the harsh and severe laws of the Gentiles, by which also in their states offences are restrained. But, that having burst these chains he was driven by the…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
But by their being sent down violently into the lake, it is meant that the Church has been purified, and now that the Gentiles are delivered from the dominion of evil spirits, those who refuse to believe in Christ,…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
They are carried violently down, for they are reclaimed not by the contemplation of any good deed, but thrust as from a higher place to a lower, along the downward path of iniquity, they perish amidst the waves of…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Or, by the herdsmen of the swine flying and telling these things, He represents certain rulers of the wicked, who though they evade the law of Christianity, yet proclaim it among the nations by their astonishment and…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Or there seems to have been a kind of synagogue in the city of the Gerasenes who besought our Lord to depart, because they were seized with great fear. For the weak mind receives not the word of God, nor can it…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
But that he, now that he is healed, desires to be with Christ, and it is said to him, Return to thy house, and tell what great things God has done for thee, implies that each should understand, that after the…
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