Tag Archives: Matthew 8:31

Οἱ δὲ δαίμονες παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· Εἰ ἐκβάλλεις ἡμᾶς, ἐπίτρεψον ἡμῖν ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ἀγέλην τῶν χοίρων. (Matthew 8:31)

But the demons were begging him, saying: If you cast us out, permit us to go into the herd of pigs.

The Setting of the Request

In Matthew 8:31, the demons, confronted by Jesus’ authority, beg for permission: οἱ δὲ δαίμονες παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· Εἰ ἐκβάλλεις ἡμᾶς, ἐπίτρεψον ἡμῖν ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ἀγέλην τῶν χοίρων. The syntax of this verse communicates both desperation and subordination. Their plea is couched in a conditional structure (εἰ ἐκβάλλεις) combined with an aorist imperative (ἐπίτρεψον), creating a striking scene of powerless spirits bargaining before the Son of God.… Learn Koine Greek