Matthew 8:29

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 8:29 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
Matthew 8:29 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And behold they cried out, saying, etc.] This is an instance and proof, of the wonderful power of Christ over the devils; and has therefore the note of admiration, “behold!” prefixed to it, that the devils themselves who had took possession of these men, and made them so fierce and cruel, and outrageous, that there was no passing the way for them; yet upon the sight of Christ, and especially at hearing his orders to come out from them, not only say, but cry out, as being in great consternation, horror, and fear, and with the utmost subjection to him, what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? They had nothing indeed to do with him; they had no interest in his grace, blood,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The same account of the demoniacs substantially is found in Mark 5:1-20, and Luke 8:26-38. Matthew 8:28 The other side - The other side of the Sea of Tiberias. Country of the Gergesenes - Mark Mark 5:1 says that he came into the country of the “Gadarenes.” This difference is only apparent. “Gadara” was a city not far from the Lake Gennesareth, one of the ten cities that were called “Decapolis.” See the notes at Matthew 4:25. “Gergesa” was a city about 12 miles to the southeast of Gadara, and about 20 miles to the east of the Jordan. There is no contradiction, therefore, in the evangelists. He came into the region in which the two cities were situated, and one evangelist mentioned one, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“What have we to do with thee - This is a Hebrew phrase, which signifies. Why do you concern yourself about us? Sa2 16:10. Before the time - The great day. Matthew 8:30”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:29 Those controlled by Satan immediately recognized Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God (see Mark 1:24) and answered the question asked by Jesus’ disciples when he had calmed the storm (Matt 8:27). Elsewhere, Jesus’ true nature and identity are acknowledged by the Father (3:17; 17:5), Satan (4:3, 6), humans (14:33; 16:16; 27:54), and Christ himself (11:27; 24:36; 28:19). • God’s appointed time is the final, eternal damnation of all who oppose God (see Jude 1:6; Rev 20:10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“What: Sa2 16:10, Sa2 19:22; Joe 3:4; Mar 1:24, Mar 5:7; Luk 4:34, Luk 8:28; Joh 2:4 thou Son: Mat 4:3; Mar 3:11; Luk 4:41; Act 16:17; Jam 2:19 torment: Pe2 2:4; Jde 1:6 Matthew 8:30”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification