Demons Entering a Herd of Swine

St. John Chrysostom says that our Savior permitted the devils to enter the swine,
not for their own sakes, but for our instruction. 1. That we might know how very
desirous the enemy of our salvation is to bring upon us the greatest evils. 2. That the
devil has not any power, even over swine, without the permission of God. And, 3. That
these cruel fiends would, if the Almighty allowed them, inflict still more grievous
torments on their unhappy slaves. (Hom. xxix.) Jesus Christ here confutes the
Sadducean doctrine, which denies the existence of spirits, good or bad. (Haydock)

Demons Entering a Herd of Swine

8:28. And when he was come on the other side of the water,
into the country of the Gerasens, there met him two that
were possessed with devils, coming out of the sepulchres,
exceeding fierce, so that none could pass by that way.

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

8:30. And there was, not far from them, a herd of many
swine feeding.

8:31. And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us
out hence, send us into the herd of swine.

8:32. And he said to them: Go. But they going out went into
the swine, and behold the whole herd ran violently down a
steep place into the sea: and they perished in the waters.

8:33. And they that kept them fled: and coming into the
city, told every thing, and concerning them that had been
possessed by the devils.

8:34. And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and
when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart
from their coast.
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