Bible Strands
Matthew 8:30
In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records the scene at the moment the unclean spirits demand to leave the demon-possessed men and enter the animals. This occurs immediately after the spirits address Jesus as the Son of God and before they negotiate their transfer.
The words — The Greek phrase μακρὰν ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν (makran ap’ autōn) literally means "far off from them," establishing the physical separation between the spirits and the herd. The verb ἦν (ēn) functions as an imperfect "was feeding," indicating ongoing action.
The thread — Leviticus 11:7 and Deuteronomy 14:8 classify pigs as unclean animals, a dietary and ceremonial boundary that the Gospels repeatedly show Jesus transcending to demonstrate authority over the ritual and spiritual realms.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to note that Jesus permits defilement to enter unclean animals, forcing a choice between ritual purity codes and the reality of his sovereign command. It demands acknowledgment that spiritual authority overrides ceremonial restrictions.
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 there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 11:7 And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.
- Deuteronomy 14:8 as well as the pig; though it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. It is unclean for you. You must not eat its meat or touch its carcass.
- Isaiah 65:3 to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,
- Mark 5:11 There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding.
- Isaiah 66:3 Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.
- Luke 8:32 There on the hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.
- Luke 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.