Luke 8:32

8:32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 1  and the demonic spirits 2  begged Jesus 3  to let them go into them. He gave them permission. 4 

Luke 22:25

22:25 So 5  Jesus 6  said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 7 

1 tn Grk “mountain,” but this might give the English reader the impression of a far higher summit.

2 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the demonic spirits) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

3 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

4 sn Many have discussed why Jesus gave them permission, since the animals were destroyed. However, this is another example of a miracle that is a visual lesson. The demons are destructive: They were destroying the man. They destroyed the pigs. They destroy whatever they touch. The point was to take demonic influence seriously, as well as Jesus’ power over it as a picture of the larger battle for human souls. There would be no doubt how the man’s transformation had taken place.

5 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the dispute among the apostles.

6 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

7 sn The title ‘benefactor,’ highlighting grace and meaning something like “helper of the people,” was even given to tyrants (2 Macc 4:2; 3 Macc 3:19; Josephus, J. W. 3.9.8 [3.459]).