The Demons and the Pigs

Jesus meets two violent demon-possessed men in the tombs, and the demons recognize him and plead about the timing of their judgment. At Jesus' word they enter the pigs, the herd perishes in the sea, the report spreads into town, and the region asks Jesus to leave.

W²⁸hen Jesus arrived on the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, He was met by two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs. 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?” ³⁰In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. ³¹So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” ³²“Go!” He told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters. ³³Those tending the pigs ran off into the town and reported all this, including the account of the demon-possessed men. ³⁴Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.