Bible Strands
Luke 8:30
“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus questions a demon-possessed man immediately after commanding the unclean spirit to leave him, following the man’s repeated breaking of chains and flight into solitary places.
The words — The Greek ἐπηρώτησεν (epērōtēsen) translates literally as “asked,” while λέγων (legōn) means “saying,” framing the exchange as a direct interrogation rather than a negotiation.
The thread — The military term “legion” reappears in Matthew 26:53 to describe angelic hosts, and the pattern of multiple demonic oppressions parallels Luke 8:2, where seven demons departed from Mary Magdalene.
Why it lands — The passage records Jesus’ factual inquiry and the demon’s explicit admission of multiplicity, requiring readers to acknowledge his sovereign authority over spiritual chaos and to cease fearing its influence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
- Luke 8:2 as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
- Matthew 8:29 “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
- Mark 16:9 Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons.
- Mark 5:9 “What is your name?” Jesus asked. “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”