seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Matthew 8:28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
It strikes me funny, now that I think about it, the people were raising pigs. These are supposed to be good Jewish folk. They don't eat pigs because the hoof of a pig is split, and God told them anything with a split hoof was not good for them to eat. They didn't sacrifice pigs either.... I think it was because pigs are too fatty.... and would affect the fire.... but that is far from Biblical... that's just my opinion.
I read a commentary that said the region of Gadarenes was on the eastern side of the Jordan.... so, there weren't a lot of Jewish families living there.
I read another commentary that said these were feral pigs living near the cliff side. They weren't being herded... but the sheep herders figured if Jesus didn't leave, the sheep would be next.
Yet another article said the pigs were kosher.... ah ha ha.
There were two men who were looney toons.... and they were extremely violent. Jesus sent them over the cliff. Back a couple chapters ago.... family in Nazareth wanted to send Jesus over a cliff because they thought He was insane. He was claiming to be the Son of God.... "Who does that?"
Sometimes I think the original language doesn't convert easily to modern English.
I mean... the waves stopped when Jesus told them to.... and the people were upset about pigs? I figure there was quite a discussion when the towns people came out to meet Jesus.... and invite Him to leave. I'm pretty sure the people of the town knew that Jesus was on a mission, and they were lucky the pigs were there for the violence to go into, by the time the argument was over.
This is about a big fight over pigs!
