Matthew 8:33

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 8:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they that fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to them that were possessed with demons.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they that fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to them that were possessed with demons.
Matthew 8:33 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
33And they that fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to them that were possessed with demons.

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 they that kept them fled, etc.] The hog herds, men of very low life, and whose employment was very infamous and reproachful, as has been observed. These, amazed at what they had seen, distressed with the loss of the swine, and so of their employment, and frightened also lest they should incur the blame and displeasure of their masters, ran away in great haste, fear, and astonishment; and went their way into the city; either of Gergesa, or Gadara. Mark and Luke say, they “went and told it in the city, and in the country”: in their fright and distress, some ran one way, and some another; some went into the city, others into the country, and so spread the affair far and near, and the fame…”
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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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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mar 5:14-16; Luk 8:34-36; Act 19:15-17 Matthew 8:34”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification