Luke § 38

And they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. Gerasa is a notable city of Arabia beyond the Jordan, adjacent to the mountain Gilead, which was held by the tribe of Manasseh, not far from the lake of Tiberias, into which the swine were cast down. However, it signifies the nation of the Gentiles, which, after the sleep of the Passion and the glory of His Resurrection, the Savior deemed worthy to visit by sending preachers. Hence, it is fitting that Gerasa or Gergesa (as some read) is interpreted as 'casting out the colonist' or 'the stranger approaching.' Specifically indicating that the people of the Gentiles both cast out from their hearts the enemy who wickedly occupied it, and those who were far off were made near by the blood of Christ.

For Geraza is a famous city of Arabia, on the other side of the Jordan, close to the mountain of Galaad, which was possessed by the tribe of Manasseh, and not far from the lake of Tiberias, into which the swine were cast headlong.

Now mystically; Gerasa signifies the Gentile nations, whom after His passion and resurrection Christ visited in His preachers. Hence Gerasa or Gergesa, as some say, is by interpretation "casting out an inhabitant," that is, the devil by whom it was before possessed, or, "a stranger approaching," who before was afar off.

And they sailed to the region, etc. After the Evangelist first showed that Christ has dominion over corporeal creation, here secondly he shows that he has dominion over spiritual creation in the admirable expulsion of the demonic legion. Hence the Evangelist intends in this part to explain the marvelous liberation of the demoniac accomplished through the power of Christ. For the explanation of this miracle, four things are introduced. The first is the violence of the besieging demon; the second is the omnipotence of the Lord who liberates, which is treated there: And they begged him not to command them, etc.; the third is the reverence of the people coming to meet him, there: When those who were feeding them saw what had happened, etc.; the fourth is the benevolence of the cured man obeying, there: And the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him, etc.

The violence of the besieging devil is shown from four things, namely from the roaring of fury, from the clamor of outcry, from the assault of strength, and from the accompaniment of multitude.

First, therefore, regarding the roaring of fury in the demoniac running to meet the Lord as he arrived, it is said: And they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes. "Gerasa, as Bede says, is a city of Arabia"; in which it is shown that after the miracles performed among the Jews, divine dispensation requires that they be performed among the Gentiles; according to what is said in Acts thirteen: "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles," as if in contempt of the rebellious. Hence he adds: Which is opposite Galilee, which refers to the city understood through that people, which is called Gerasa. He sailed there to show the power of his might through miracles and to draw them to himself. For Gerasa is interpreted, as the Gloss says, as "sojourner"; and therefore it designates the Gentiles, according to Ephesians two: "Remember that at one time you were Gentiles, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, having no hope of the promise and without God in this world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near." Hence in this it is clear that "the same Lord of all is rich toward all who call upon him," Romans ten. "For everyone, whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."

It is shown, therefore, that from the aforesaid, according to the literal sense, seven notable points can be gathered: first, that the power of Christ's word alone exceeds the strength of infinite thousands of demons; second, that the fury of demons with respect to the human race is very great; third, that their fear with respect to the man Christ is very great; fourth, that demons are incorporeal, since so many were in one man; fifth, that they can do nothing even over brute animals unless permitted; sixth, that men in possessing these temporal things are nothing but stewards of Christ; seventh, that God showed that the salvation of one man is to be preferred to infinite brute animals.

The Saviour, as He sailed with His disciples, came to a port, as it is said, And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

Many accurate copies have neither "Gerazenes" nor "Gadarenes," but "Gergezenes." For Gadara is a city in Judæa, but neither lake nor sea is found at it; and Geraza is a city of Arabia, having neither lake nor sea near. But Gergeza, from which the Gergezenes are called, is an ancient city near the lake of Tiberias, above which is a rock hanging over the lake, into which they say the swine were dashed down by the devils. But since Gadara and Geraza border upon the land of the Gergezenes, it is probable that the swine were led from thence to their parts.

We know that in the Gospel according to Matthew, two men attacked by demons met Christ in the country of the Gerasenes. Here St. Luke introduces one such man as naked. Whoever has lost the covering of his nature and virtue is naked. I think that we should not idly disregard but seek the reason why the Evangelists seem to disagree about the number. Although the number disagrees, the mystery agrees. A man who has an evil spirit is a figure of the Gentile people, covered in vices, naked to error, vulnerable to sin.

Now although the number of those healed by Christ is different in Luke and Matthew, yet the mystery is one and the same. For as he who had a devil is the figure of the Gentile people, the two also in like manner take the figure of the Gentiles. For whereas Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japhet; the family of Shem only was called to the possession of God, and from the other two the people of different nations were descended. He (as Luke says) had devils long time, inasmuch as the Gentile people was vexed from the deluge down to our Lord's coming. But he was naked, because the Gentiles lost the garment of their nature and virtue.

Or what are the bodies of the unbelieving but kinds of tombs in which the word of God abides not?

(Cons. Ev. ut sup.) Whereas Matthew says, that there were two possessed, but Mark and Luke mention only one; you must understand one of them to be a more distinguished and famous person, for whom that neighbourhood was chiefly distressed, and in whose restoration they were greatly interested. Wishing to signify this, the two Evangelists thought right to mention him alone, concerning whom the report of this miracle had been most extensively noised abroad.

(de Quaest. Ev. l. ii. q. 13.) He abode in no house, that is, he had no rest in his conscience; he dwelt among the tombs, because he delighted in dead works in his sins.

And when He had come out onto the land, a certain man who had a demon for a long time met Him. This man represents the people of the Gentiles, who for many times, that is, from nearly the very beginning of the world's birth, were vexed by a furious madness.

And he was not clothed with a garment. Because he lost the covering of his nature and virtue. For, indeed, our first parents, after sinning, are read to have been stripped of the garment of faith and charity. The prodigal son was clothed with this first robe after he returned repentant to the father.

Nor did he stay in a house, but in tombs. Because he did not rest in his conscience but delighted in dead works, that is, in sins. For what indeed are the bodies of the faithless if not certain sepulchers of the dead, in which not the word of God dwells, but the soul, dead in sins, is enclosed?

Therefore it is added: And when he had gone out onto the land, there met him a certain man, so that just as he had worked wonders on the sea, so also on the land. And through this it is apparent that he is the one of whom it is said in the Psalm: "Whatever the Lord willed, he did in heaven and on earth, in the sea and in all the depths." And he shows this in this man, who is rightly called a certain man of singular suffering, who was a notable person and was notably and miserably possessed. And therefore, although two came to meet him, according to what is said in Matthew 8, Luke nevertheless records only the encounter with one, whose notable torment he specifies by the length of time.

On account of which he says: Who had had a devil now for a long time, so that it had already claimed him for itself as a possession, such that there could be said of him that word of Isaiah 34: "It shall be the lair of dragons and the pasture of ostriches, and demons shall meet, the onocentaur"; this concerns those fully possessed by the devil.

It is aggravated also by the unseemliness of appearance: whence it is also added: And he wore no garment; which was very unseemly, according to what the Lord threatens in Ezekiel 16: "They shall strip you of your garments and take away the ornaments of your beauty." And in this the fury of the demon is apparent, who not only tormented the members of the body but also tore apart the garments, as is said of that one in Acts 19: "When the most wicked demon had prevailed against the two sons of Sceva the Jew, they fled naked and wounded from the house."

It is aggravated also by the horror of the place: therefore he adds: Neither did he abide in a house, but in the tombs, where is a very horrible place. And the princes of darkness seek such places; Job 30: "They dwell in the deserts of the mountains and in the caverns of the earth"; and yet from these the Lord delivers, according to that word of the Psalm: "Who brings forth the bound in might, likewise those who provoke, who dwell in the tombs."

In great misery and nakedness, he wandered among the graves of the dead. He was in utter wretchedness, leading a disgraceful life. He was a proof of the cruelty of the demons and a plain demonstration of their impurity.… Whoever they possess and subject to their power, at once they make him an example of great misery, deprived of every blessing, destitute of all sobriety, and entirely deprived even of reason.Some say, "Why do they possess people?" I answer those who wish to have this explained that the reason of these things is very deep. Somewhere one of his saints addressed God by saying, "Your judgments are a vast abyss." As long as we bear this in mind, we will perhaps not miss the mark. The God of all purposely permits some to fall into their power. He does not do this so that they may suffer but that we may learn by their example how the demons treat us and may avoid the desire of being subject to them. The suffering of one edifies many.

Now his going naked among the tombs of the dead was a mark of demoniacal wildness. But God permits some in His providence to become subject to evil spirits, that we may ascertain through them of what kind the evil spirits are towards us, in order that we may refuse to be made subject unto them, and so by the suffering of one many may be edified.

(Hom. 28. in Matt.) But as soon as our Lord had departed from the sea, He meets with another more awful wonder. For the demoniac, like an evil slave, when he sees Him confirms his bondage, as it follows, And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, &c.

(Hom. 28. in Matt.) Or, Luke selected from the two the one who was most savage. Hence he gives the most melancholy account of his calamity, adding, And he wore no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. But the evil spirits visit the tombs of the dead, to instil into men that dangerous notion, that the souls of the dead become evil spirits.

But the devils could not endure the clearness of the light of heaven, as those who have weak eyes can not bear the sun's rays.

In his sepulchral prison the savage demon had broken. Fetters of iron that bound him; he darts forth and kneels before Jesus. But the Lord sets the man free and orders the devil to madden. Herds of the swine and to plunge with them into the depths of the vast sea.

When he saw Jesus, he fell down before Him and cried out with a loud voice, saying, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" How great is the madness of Arius to believe that Jesus is a creature and not God, when even the demons believe and tremble at Him as the Son of the Most High God! What impiety of the Jews to say that He cast out demons by the prince of demons, when the demons themselves confess that He has nothing in common with them? Moreover, that which they then clamored in fury through the demoniac, they do not cease to say and confess afterwards in the shrines of idols, namely, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Most High God, and that they have nothing of peace or association with Him.

"I beg you, do not torment me." For He commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him. The enemy of human salvation considers it no small torment to cease harming the man; the longer he has possessed him, the more difficult it is to agree to let him go. Hence, we must strive with the utmost effort that if ever we are overcome by the devil, we immediately strive to avoid his snares, lest if we resist his rule too late, he might be expelled more laboriously at some point.

Secondly, with regard to the tumult of the outcry, as the demon cries aloud and the Lord commands, it is added: When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him. And thus is verified that word of the Psalm: "Before him the Ethiopians shall fall down"; and that word of Isaiah 60: "They who detracted you shall come to you and shall adore the footsteps of your feet," "that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth," Philippians 2. This, however, he did not do out of the humility of devotion, but with murmuring and clamor of outcry.

And therefore he adds: And crying out with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? This he did not display out of reverence, but rather he abhorred his presence with a cry, through which he showed groaning and pain in his heart, according to that passage of the penultimate chapter of Isaiah: "You shall cry out for pain of heart, and for crushing of spirit you shall howl." Moreover, he cries out and grieves at his presence because there was no agreement with Christ; Second Corinthians 6: "What accord has Christ with Belial? What fellowship has light with darkness, justice with iniquity?" And Ecclesiasticus 13: "What will the wolf share with the lamb? Or what communion has a holy man with a dog?"

And note that in this confession he refutes a twofold error: one of the Jews, who said that Christ had a demon, John 8, and that he cast out demons by Beelzebub, Matthew 12. Whence Bede says: "The Jews say that he casts out demons by the prince of demons — he whom the demons deny to have anything in common with themselves."

He refutes another error of the Arians, who say that Christ is a mere creature, whereas the demon calls him the Son of the Most High God, according to that passage of Ecclesiasticus 24: "I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, the firstborn before every creature." But the demon confesses this not by venerating his dominion, but by dreading his command, according to that passage of James 2: "The demons believe and tremble."

And therefore it is added: I beseech you, do not torment me, namely by that power of which Wisdom 11 says: "Absent and present alike were tormented." Therefore he wanted to confess Christ so that at least by confessing he might find an opportunity of escaping, because, Wisdom 16, "the wicked who denied knowing you were scourged by the strength of your arm."

The Gerasene, or rather the herd of demons lying concealed within him, fell down before Christ's feet, saying, "What is there between me and you, Jesus, Son of God Most High? I beseech you, do not torment me." I ask you to observe here the mixture of fear with great audacity and conceited pride. The words which he is forced to shout are coupled with inflated haughtiness! It is a proof of the pride of the enemy that he ventures to say, "What is there between me and you, Jesus, Son of God Most High?" You certainly know that he is the Son of God Most High.…I beseech you to again observe the incomparable majesty of Christ who transcends all. With irresistible might and unequalled authority he crushes Satan by simply willing that it should be.

Mark here the combination of fear with boldness and great desperation, for it is a sign of devilish despair to speak out boldly, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? but of fear when they pray, I beseech thee not to cast me out. But if thou knowest Him to be the Son of God most high, thou confessest Him to be the God of heaven and earth, and of all things that are contained in them. How then dost thou make use not of thy own but His words, saying, What have I to do with thee? But what earthly prince will altogether endure to have his subjects tormented by barbarians? Hence it follows, For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of him. And He shows the necessity of the command, adding, For oftentimes it had caught him, &c.

And hence it is plain that the rebel hosts against the Divine Majesty were thrust down to hell by the unspeakable power of the Saviour.

Did not the devils know the real nature of this name? It is fitting that the heretics should be found guilty, not by the teachings of the apostles but by the mouth of demons. The latter often exclaim, "What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" The truth drew out this reluctant confession, and being forced to obey, their grief testifies to the strength of this nature. This power overcomes them, since they abandon bodies that they have possessed for a long time. They pay their tribute of honor when they acknowledge the nature of Christ. In the meantime, Christ testifies that he is the Son by his miracles as well as by his name. O heretic, where do you find the name of a creature or the favor of an adoption among those words by which the demons admit who he is?

In his sepulchral prison the savage demon had broken Fetters of iron that bound him; he darts forth and kneels before Jesus. But the Lord sets the man free and orders the devil to madden Herds of the swine and to plunge with them into the depths of the vast sea.

For with the last enemy death did He fight, and through the trophy of the cross He triumphed. Now of what God did the Legion testify that Jesus was the Son? No doubt, of that God whose torments and abyss they knew and dreaded.

(ubi sup.) Now that he was bound by brazen fetters and chains, signifies the harsh and severe laws of the Gentiles, by which also in their states offences are restrained. But, that having burst these chains he was driven by the evil spirit into the wilderness, means that having broken through these laws, he was also led by lust to those crimes which exceeded the ordinary life of men. By the expression that there was in him a legion of devils, the nations are signified who served many devils. But the fact that the devils were permitted to go into the swine, which fed on the mountains, signifies also the unclean and proud men over whom the evil spirits have dominion, because of their worship of idols. For the swine are they who, after the manner of unclean animals without speech and reason, have defiled the grace of their natural virtues by the filthy actions of their life.

And he was bound with chains and shackles. Chains and shackles signify the severe and harsh laws of the Gentiles, by which in their republic sins are also restrained.

And having broken the bonds, he was driven by the demon into the desert. For having even transgressed those laws, he was led by desire to such crimes as already exceeded common custom.

But this supplication availed him little, for it was not voluntary but coerced; therefore it is added: For he was commanding the unclean spirit to go out from the man, a command which it could not resist, according to that passage of Wisdom 19: "Every creature served your commands, that your children might be kept unharmed." Moreover, it feared this command because it is a comfort to the unclean spirit to possess a man and to inflict torment upon him, according to that passage below in chapter 11: "When the unclean spirit has gone out from a man, it walks through waterless places, seeking rest"; and Bede in the Gloss says: "It is a torment for the devil to cease from harming a man, and the longer he possesses, the more reluctantly he lets go. Let him who is harmed by the devil therefore take heed to break the yoke quickly." — But in this petition the demon did not merit to be heard, because it was not from a disposition of devotion, but from impatience and the clamor of outcry; the Psalm: "They cried out, and there was none to save them."

Third, as regards the assault of strength in the demon resisting human binding, it is added: For many times he would seize him, namely by an assault of strength which the possessed man could not resist: according to what is said of Saul in 1 Kings 18, that "the evil spirit of the Lord seized Saul." But with this man it was otherwise than with Saul, because the latter was soothed by the harp, but this man could not be restrained by a chain.

Whence it is added: And he was bound with chains, as regards the hands, guarded with fetters, as regards the feet, which was a very strong restraint, according to that of the Psalm: "To bind their kings in fetters and their nobles in iron manacles."

And although it was so strong, he could not withstand the assault of diabolical strength: on account of which it adds: And breaking the bonds, he was driven by the demon into the desert. In this is shown the pride and audacity of the devil, who could be held back by no restraints, according to that of Jeremiah 2: "From of old you have broken my yoke, you have burst my bonds." Thus indeed do the proud imitators of the devil, against whom Jeremiah, in chapter 5, speaking of the princes: "They have broken the yoke, they have burst the bonds," namely of the divine precepts; although it is said in Ecclesiasticus 6: "Put your foot into his fetters, and be not weary of his bonds." But it is more tolerable for a sinner possessed by the devil to be driven about in the desert than to be bound by these fetters: Job 30: "They dwelt in the deserts of torrents and in the caves of the earth, who rejoiced in such things and counted it delightful to be under thorns."

For these thankless men saw, and by means of His miracles handled the wonder-working God, and yet remained in unbelief. They saw a man, blind from his birth, proclaiming to them the God who had restored his sight. They saw a paralytic, who had grown up, as it were, and become one with his infirmity, at His bidding loosed from his disease. They saw Lazarus, who was made an exile from the region of death. They heard that He had walked on the sea. They heard of the wine that, without previous culture, was ministered; of the bread that was eaten at that spontaneous banquet; they heard that the demons had been put to flight; the sick restored to health. Their very streets proclaimed His deeds of wonder; their roads declared His healing power to those who journeyed on them. All Judea was filled with His benefit; yet now, when they hear the divine praises, they inquire, Who is this?

And they begged him not to order them to go into the abyss. The demons knew that eventually, through the advent of the Lord, they would be sent into the abyss, not by foretelling the future themselves, but by recalling the words of the prophets spoken about them, and thus they thought that the Lord's advent, whose glory they marveled at, would tend to their own destruction.

And they besought him etc. After the violence of the besieging demon, the Evangelist here subjoins the omnipotence of the Lord who liberates. Now in this part Christ is shown to be powerful in every way, namely powerful in commanding, powerful in permitting, powerful in saving, and powerful in destroying.

First, then, he is shown to be powerful in commanding harsh things, in that it says: And they besought him, namely the demons, that he would not command them to go into the abyss: because they could not transgress his command, according to that verse of the Psalm: "He has established a decree, and it shall not pass away." Therefore they besought him, because they knew that he was that Angel of whom Revelation 20 says: "I saw an Angel descending from heaven, having the key of the abyss," that is, the power of sending into the abyss by his just judgment, as he did to the Egyptians: Exodus 15: "The depths covered them, they descended into the deep like a stone"; and Revelation 20: "Judgment was rendered upon each one according to their works. And hell and death were cast into the lake of fire." The demons feared that this judgment would be hastened upon them by the command of Christ, not as ones foreknowing the future, but on account of the sayings of the Prophets. Whence Ambrose says: "The demons knew that by the coming of Christ they would at some time be plunged into the abyss, not because they themselves were foretelling the future, but because they were recalling what the Prophets had said concerning them."

(Ep. ad Georgium.) Now the Lord ordains for each class of sinners an appropriate punishment. The fire of Hell unquenchable for fleshly burnings, gnashing of teeth for wanton mirth, intolerable thirst for pleasure and revelry, the worm that dieth not for a crooked and malignant heart, everlasting darkness for ignorance and deceit, the bottomless pit for pride. Hence the deep is assigned to the devils as unto the proud, it follows, And there was there an herd of swine, &c.

People are the authors of their own tribulation. If someone did not live like a swine, the devil would never have received power over him. If he did receive power, it would be power not to destroy but to test him. After the Lord's coming, the devil could already not corrupt the good, so perhaps he now does not seek the destruction of all people but only of the fickle. A mugger does not lie in wait for armed men but for the defenseless. He who understands that the strong will despise him or the powerful destroy him troubles only the weak with wrongs. Someone says, "Why does God permit this to the devil?" I say, "So that good people may be tested and the wicked punished, for this is the punishment of sin." This is also according to the law, because the Lord sends fever, trembling, evil spirits, blindness, and all scourges according to the punishment of sinners.

They are carried violently down, for they are reclaimed not by the contemplation of any good deed, but thrust as from a higher place to a lower, along the downward path of iniquity, they perish amidst the waves of this world, shut out from the approach of air. For they who are carried to and fro by the rapid tide of pleasure cannot receive the communication of the Spirit; we see then that man himself is the author of his own misery. For unless a man lived like the swine, the devil would never have received power over him, or received it, not to destroy but to prove him. And perhaps the devil, who after the coming of our Lord can no longer steal away the good, seeks not the destruction of all men, but only the wanton, as the robber lies in wait not for armed men, but the unarmed.

(de vita Anton.) But if they have no power over swine, the evil spirits have much less against men who are made after the image of God. We ought then to fear God alone, but despise them.

(de Con. Ev. l. ii. 24.) The words of Mark, that there was a herd of swine nigh unto the mountains, and of Luke, on the mountains, do not differ from one another. For the herd of swine was so large, that they might be part on the mountain, part near it. For there were two thousand swine, as Mark has stated. (Mark 5:13.)

Now there was there a herd of many pigs, feeding on the mountain, and they begged him to permit them to enter them: and he allowed them. He permitted this because he granted the demons' request, so that the destruction of the pigs would provide an occasion for salvation to humans. For the shepherds, seeing these things, immediately reported them to the city. Let the Manichaean be ashamed. If the souls of men and beasts were of the same substance and from the same author, how could two thousand pigs be drowned for the salvation of a single man? Nonetheless, in their destruction, unclean men are figuratively represented, who lack voice and reason, who feed on the mountain of pride, and delight in filthy acts. Indeed, demons can dominate such individuals through the worship of idols. For unless someone lives like a pig, the devil will never gain power over him, or even if he receives it, it will only be for testing, not for destruction.

Second, he is said to be powerful in permitting losses, in that it is added: And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain, into which, although they are brute animals, the demons had no power except by divine permission. For of Christ it was said in the Psalm: "You have subjected all things under his feet"; and afterward: "moreover also the cattle of the field." Whence into this herd they could do nothing except by the permission of God, according to that passage of Matthew 10: "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father," that is, without the power of the Father.

And therefore it is added: And they besought him that he would permit them to enter into them; in which the demons display Christ's power and their own powerlessness, because they can do nothing against beasts unless permitted, much less therefore against a human being. Whence in Job 1 satan said: "Lord, stretch forth your hand and touch all that he possesses." On account of which also in the tribulation that the devil is to inflict upon the Church, the divine permission precedes, according to that passage of Revelation 9: "The four angels were loosed, who were prepared for the hour and the day"; and in chapter 20 it is said that "satan shall be loosed."

And because the Lord by his just judgment permits them many things, it is added: And he permitted them; in which permission he shows himself to be lord not only restraining the demons but possessing the swine, according to that verse of the Psalm: "Mine are all the beasts of the forests, the cattle on the mountains and the oxen." But the owners were merely stewards of the Lord Jesus, and therefore in no way did he do them an injury.

The Lord also showed that He loves the salvation of one man more than thousands of brute animals: First Corinthians 9: "Does God have care for oxen?" Wisdom 11: "But You spare all things, O Lord, because they are Yours, You who love souls." — Again, in this the Lord showed that carnal men, who are designated by the swine, are by the just judgment of God exposed to demons; Romans 8: "If you live according to the flesh, you shall die." Whence in First Corinthians 5 the Apostle says of that carnal man that "he judged to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh." He also did this so that not only His power of saving but also of killing might be made known to the men of that land, according to that passage of Deuteronomy 32: "I will kill and I will make alive, I will strike and I will heal: and there is none who can deliver from My hand."

The multitude of unclean spirits seek therefore to be sent into the herd of unclean swine, like to themselves, for it follows, And they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them.

The Gadarenes established a ruling for themselves that they would not come out or view the signs of our Lord. Consequently he drowned their swine so that they would have to come out against their will. "Legion," which had been chastened, is a symbol of the world. He commanded the demons to enter the swine and not the man. He, concerning whom they had said, "It is by Beelzebub that he casts out," engaged in battle against Satan on the mountain and against Legion, the chief of his force. When they entered the swine, he drowned them at that very moment. The force of the merciful One who was keeping watch over this man was known by this. They were begging him not to send them out of that region and not to send them to Gehenna.

This ("substance"), accordingly, he "squandered; "having been cast by his moral habits far from the Lord, amid the errors and allurements and appetites of the world, where, compelled by hunger after truth, he handed himself over to the prince of this age. He set him over "swine," to feed that flock familiar to demons, where he would not be master of a supply of vital food, and at the same time would see others (engaged) in a divine work, having abundance of heavenly bread.

Which indeed the devils demand, wishing yet longer to mix with mankind.

(ubi sup.) But by their being sent down violently into the lake, it is meant that the Church has been purified, and now that the Gentiles are delivered from the dominion of evil spirits, those who refuse to believe in Christ, carry on their unholy rites in hidden places with dark and secret watchings.

Therefore, the demons went out from the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. This signifies that with the Church now glorified, and the people of the Gentiles liberated from the dominion of demons, they who refuse to believe in Christ conduct their sacrilegious rites in hidden places, submerged in blind and profound curiosity. And it should be noted that the unclean spirits would not have gone even into the pigs unless the kind Savior himself had granted their petition, who certainly could have sent them into the abyss. He wanted to teach us a necessary lesson, namely that we should know that they can harm humans even less by their own power, who could not even harm any animals. However, this power, the just and good God can give to us with hidden justice, but not unjustly.

Third, He is shown to be powerful in saving the infirm in that which is added: The demons therefore went out from the man and entered into the swine: by which departure the man was freed. They went out by the command of divine power, according to that passage of Zechariah 13: "I will cast the unclean spirit out of the land." This was said by Him who says of Himself below in chapter 13: "Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I am consummated." For they went out by the power of Christ, in whose name they were cast out by His disciples, according to what is said in Acts 16, that "Paul said to the pythonic spirit: I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to go out from her; and it went out the same hour." But departing from the man, they enter into the swine, because the unclean spirit seeks unclean dwelling places: Job 37: "The beast shall enter its lair and shall dwell in its cave"; and of Behemoth it is said in Job 40: "He sleeps under the shadow, in the covert of the reed, in moist places." He says this with regard to carnal men, who seek nothing else but shadow and wantonness, like swine.

Fourth, He is shown to be powerful in casting down the proud in that which follows: And the herd rushed headlong over the precipice into the lake and was drowned; in which the Lord's extraordinary power is shown, which did not permit them to enter the swine for rest, but for drowning, so that thus might be fulfilled in them that passage of Exodus 15: "Your spirit blew, and the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters"; in which the submersion of sins is spiritually designated, according to that prophetic passage of Micah, the last chapter: "He will put down all our iniquities and will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

We may also learn this from what befell the herd of swine. Wicked demons are cruel, mischievous, hurtful and treacherous to those who are in their power. The fact clearly proves this, because they hurried the swine over a precipice and drowned them in the waters. Christ granted their request that we might learn from what happened that their disposition is ruthless, bestial, incapable of being softened, and solely intent on doing evil to those whom they can get into their power.If there is anyone among us who is wanton, swinish, filth loving, impure and willingly contaminated with the abominations of sin, God permits such a one to fall into their power and sink into the abyss of damnation. It will never happen that those who love Christ will become subject to them. It will never happen to us as long as we walk in his footsteps, avoid negligence in the performance of what is right, desire those things which are honorable, and belong to that virtuous and praiseworthy lifestyle that Christ has marked out for us by the precepts of the gospel.

But the Lord granted them permission, that this might be among other things to us an occasion of benefit, and the confidence of our safety. It follows, And he suffered them. We must therefore consider that the evil spirits are hostile to those which are subject to them, and this will be evident from their sending down the swine violently into the waters and choking them; as it follows, Then went the devils out of the man and entered into the swine, and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. And this Christ permitted to them which sought it, that it might appear from the event how cruel they are. It was also necessary to show that the Son of God has no less power to foresee than the Father, that equal glory might be manifested in each.

When those who kept the herd saw this they fled. For neither the teachers of philosophy nor the chief of the synagogue can bring a cure to perishing mankind. It is Christ alone who takes away the sins of the people.

(de Qu. Evan. l. ii. q. 13.) Or, by the herdsmen of the swine flying and telling these things, He represents certain rulers of the wicked, who though they evade the law of Christianity, yet proclaim it among the nations by their astonishment and wonder.

When they saw what had happened, those who were feeding the pigs fled and reported it in the city and in the villages. That the pig herders, fleeing, announced these things indicates that even some leaders of the impious, although they flee from the Christian law, nevertheless preach its power among the nations, in awe and wonder.

When they saw what was done etc. Here now thirdly the Evangelist shows the reverence of the people coming to meet him. Concerning the explanation of which four things are introduced, namely the announcement of the truth beheld, the investigation of the truth heard, the discovery of the truth sought, the veneration of the truth found, sought, and announced.

First, therefore, as regards the announcement of the truth beheld, it is said: When they saw what was done, those who were feeding them fled, namely out of fear, like hirelings; John 10: "But the hireling, and he who is not the shepherd, sees the wolf coming and flees"; and Zechariah 11: "O shepherd and idol, abandoning the flock"! Or they fled not from fear of human danger, but from fear of divine judgment, concerning which Job 19: "Flee from the face of the sword, for the sword is the avenger of iniquity, and know that there is judgment." But they fled not to hide, for in the Psalm it is written: "Where shall I go from your spirit, and where shall I flee from your face?" but so that they might quickly narrate what they had seen to those who were absent.

Whence it follows: And they told it in the city and in the villages, just as that messenger, Job 1: "I alone escaped, that I might tell you." And in this they had, as it were, the office of preachers, of whom in the Psalm: "They declared the works of God and understood his deeds"; Philippians 1: "Whether Christ be announced by occasion, in this also I rejoice, yea, and I will rejoice." Whence good things seen concerning Christ are not to be kept silent but to be announced, according to that passage of 4 Kings 7: "Those four lepers said: This is a day of good tidings. If we are silent and do not wish to announce it until morning, we shall be charged with wickedness. Come, let us go and announce it in the court of the king." But evil things are not to be announced; 2 Kings 1: "Do not announce it in Gath, nor announce it in the crossroads of Ashkelon."

Note here that according to the letter, four notable points can be drawn from what has been said. The first is that the Lord willed to be made known to others through lowly and humble persons, such as through swineherds and herdsmen.

Second, that not all are to be admitted to the state of perfection, but only those who are suitable.

Third, that those whom Christ cures from the vexation of the devil are not to be barred from preaching the name of Christ. — Fourth, that we ought to be most ready for the giving of thanks for benefits received, after the example of this demoniac, who announced the benefit of God to all.

(Vide Victor. Ant. in Mark 5.) But the shepherds take flight, lest they should perish with the swine. Hence it follows, When they that fed them saw what was done they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country, and excited the like alarm among the citizens.

Those who came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, at His feet, and they were afraid, etc. This signifies the multitude delighted with ancient sweetness, honoring indeed, but unwilling to endure the Christian law, while they say that they cannot fulfill it, yet admiring the faithful people healed from their formerly lost conduct. For to sit at the feet of the Lord is to gaze upon the footprints of the Savior, supported by the rational examination of someone's mind, which he should follow. To resume being clothed is to be adorned with the studies of virtues, which he had lost by being deceived.

Secondly, as regards the investigation of the truth heard, it is added: And they went out to see what was done, and they came to Jesus. They went out, I say, for inquiry; Song of Songs 3: "Go forth, daughters of Sion, and see king Solomon"; and in the Psalm: "Come and see the works of the Lord, what wonders he has placed upon the earth."

They went out moreover to Jesus, who is the Truth, that they might learn the truth. For, as the diligent inquirer Job says in the twenty-third chapter: "Who will grant me that I might know and find him and come even to his throne"? So the Samaritans, having heard the word of the woman, John 4: "The woman went away into the city and says to those men: Come and see the man who told me all things whatsoever I have done." "They went out therefore from the city and were coming to him."

And it is greatly to be noted that it is said that when they go out to see what had been done, they came to Jesus, because the thing made, when it is beheld, leads to the Maker; Romans 1: "The invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood through the things that have been made"; and Wisdom 13: "From the greatness of the beauty and of the creature, the Creator of these things may be knowably seen." And therefore Sirach 42: "How admirable are his works, and like a spark is what one may contemplate"! In this, however, it is apparent that one must not remain in the thing made, but must press on even to Jesus: Sirach 43: "Look upon the rainbow and bless him who made it"; and in the Psalm: "Out of the mouth of infants and sucklings you have perfected praise," etc.

Third, as regards the discovery of the truth sought, it is added: And they found the man sitting, from whom the demons had gone out; and thus in a fitting state, against restlessness, because he never rested when the devil possessed him: Isaiah 57: "The wicked are like a raging sea, which cannot rest." On the contrary, concerning him in whom the Spirit of the Lord dwells, it is said in Lamentations 3: "He shall sit solitary and shall be silent"; because, according to that passage of the Psalm, "in peace is his place made."

They found him also in fitting attire, against nakedness: on account of which it adds: Clothed. For such attire befits a man both bodily and spiritually: Revelation 16: "Blessed is he who keeps his garments, lest he walk naked." — They found him also in his right sense, against madness: on account of which it adds: And of sound mind: whence he could say that word of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4: "At that very time my understanding returned to me." Which understanding the devil takes away from those whom he possesses, by deranging their minds: Second Corinthians 4: "In whom the God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers."

They found him also in a fitting position, against disorder: on account of which is added: At his feet, as one attentive to his preaching, according to that passage in the penultimate chapter of Deuteronomy: "Those who approach his feet shall receive of his teaching"; and below in the tenth chapter: "Mary sitting at the feet of the Lord heard his word."

And by these signs they manifestly knew him to be set free, from their own sight. Now they had learned the manner and cause of the cure by hearing, because they had heard that this had been done through Christ. On account of which it is added: And they were afraid, namely of Christ, attending to his wondrous power and strength, according to that passage of Jeremiah 10: "Who shall not fear you, O King of the nations? For to you belongs glory; among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you."

But the severity of their loss led them to the Saviour; for it follows, Then they went out to see what was done, and came to Jesus; and here remark, that while God punishes men in their substance, He confers a blessing upon their souls. But when they had set out, they see him in his right mind who had been long vexed. It follows, And they found the man out of whom the devils had departed sitting at the feet of Jesus clothed, (whereas before he was naked,) and in his right mind. For he departed not from those feet, where he obtained safety; and so acknowledging the miracle, they were astonished at the cure of the malady, and marvelled at the event; for it follows, And they were afraid.

To this he adduces sure testimony, therefore he adds: And those who had seen it reported to them, namely the herdsmen. For such persons ought to bear witness; John 19: "And he who saw it bore witness."

How he had been made well from the legion, through Christ's command. Such testimony is to be believed; 1 John 1: "What we have seen and heard and perceived, we testify and announce to you"; the Psalm: "Declaring the praises of the Lord and his wondrous works which he has done"; because, Acts 4, "we cannot but speak what we have heard and seen."

But this thing they discover partly by sight, partly hearing it in words. It follows, They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

Or there seems to have been a kind of synagogue in the city of the Gerasenes who besought our Lord to depart, because they were seized with great fear. For the weak mind receives not the word of God, nor can it endure the burden of wisdom. And therefore He no longer troubled them, but ascends from the lower parts to the higher, from the Synagogue to the Church, and returned across the lake. For no one passes from the Church to the Synagogue without endangering his salvation. But whoever desires to pass from the Synagogue to the Church, let him take up his cross, that he may avoid the danger.

(de Qu. Evan. l. ii. q. 13.) But by the Gerasenes, when they knew what was done, asking Jesus to depart from them, for they were struck with great fear, he represents the multitude delighting in their old pleasures, honouring indeed, but unwilling to endure the Christian law, saying that they cannot fulfil it, while they still marvel at the faithful released from their former abandoned mode of life.

And all the multitude of the region of the Gerasenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. The Gerasenes, conscious of their fragility, judged themselves unworthy of the Lord's presence, not grasping the word of God, nor being able to sustain the weight of wisdom with their still infirm mind. This is also read to have happened to Peter himself, when he saw the miracle of the fish, and the widow of Zarephath, who perceived she was blessed by hosting the blessed Elijah, nonetheless thought herself burdened by his presence. "What have I to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquities to remembrance, and to kill my son?" (III Kings [I Kings] XVII).

But he himself, boarding the ship, returned. He had said above that the Lord, having left his parents, boarded the ship, and with the waves calmed together with the wind, immediately upon disembarking, he cured the demoniac who met him. By this, we taught that leaving behind the people of Judea, from which he took his origin according to the flesh, he provided for the salvation of the Gentiles after the storm of his passion had passed. Having done these things, he returned to his homeland, because blindness has happened in part to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in; and thus all Israel will be saved (Rom. XI). He boarded the ship, yet neither is he seized by sleep, nor is the ship struck by a storm, because Christ, rising from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has dominion over him (Rom. VI). However, his trophy of passion and the glory of resurrection will be proclaimed to the believing tribes of Judea, and when the preacher of his death, by which he conquered death with the standard, begins to be believed by the Hebrews, he will return to the homeland with the ship in which he had slept, as if repeating.

Fourth, indeed, as regards the veneration of the truth discovered, it is added: All the multitude of the region of the Gerasenes asked him. After they recognized the fearsome dominion of Majesty, they asked him to depart from them. Which indeed they did not say from the contempt of pride, as those of whom Job 21 says: "Who say to God: 'Depart from us; we do not desire the knowledge of your ways'"; but from reverential fear. Whence it is also added: Because they were held by great fear, as Peter, above in chapter 5: "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man"; and as the centurion, above in chapter 7: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof"; because, according to that passage of Sirach 13, "he who associates with one more honorable than himself takes a burden upon himself." Whence Ambrose says: "A weak mind does not grasp the word of God, nor can it sustain the weight of wisdom." And since they were less fit for divine cohabitation, therefore they were heard.

On account of which it is added: But he, boarding the boat, returned. The Lord did not wish to be burdensome to anyone; whence Matthew 10: "And whoever shall not receive you, going out, shake the dust from your feet"; and Matthew 7: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine." But the Samaritans had acted more prudently than these, of whom John 4 says: "When the Samaritans had come to him, they asked him to remain there. And he stayed with them two days." But astonishment had surrounded these people, just as it had Peter, above in chapter 5. Therefore they could say that passage of Job 31: "I always feared God as waves swelling over me, and I was unable to bear his weight."

In this also it is given to understand spiritually that the Lord, when rejected, departs; 1 Chronicles 28: "If you seek him, you shall find him; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever." It is also intimated that the Lord does not abandon us unless we first repel him, but rather presses himself upon us; whence Revelation 3: "I stand at the door and knock," etc.

They feared lest they should again suffer some loss, as they had suffered in the drowning of the swine.

But they ought to have besought the Lord not to depart from them, but to be the guardian of their country, that no evil spirits might come near them; but through fear they lost their own salvation, asking the Saviour to depart. It follows, Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from, them, for they were taken with great fear.

It says, "The herdsmen saw this and fled." Neither professors of philosophy nor leaders of the synagogue can offer any cure when people perish. Christ alone takes away the sins of the people, provided they do not refuse to submit to healing. He does not want to cure the unwilling and soon abandon the weak for whom it seems that his presence is a burden, like the peoples of the Gerasenes. They went out from that country, which appears to be an image of the synagogue, and begged him to depart from them, because they were very afraid.… Why does Christ not accept the healed man but advise him to return home? Perhaps this occurs to avoid a cause of boasting and give an example to unbelievers, although that home may be an inn by nature. Since he received the healing of his mind, Christ commanded him to depart from the tombs and the graves and to return to that spiritual home. He who had in him the grave of the mind became a temple of God.

(ubi sup.) But that he, now that he is healed, desires to be with Christ, and it is said to him, Return to thy house, and tell what great things God has done for thee, implies that each should understand, that after the remission of his sins he should return to a good conscience as to his home, and obey the Gospel for the salvation of others, in order that there he may rest with Christ, lest by too early wishing to be with Christ he neglect the ministry of preaching necessary for this redemption of his brethren.

And the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and tell how much God has done for you." These words can be rightly understood from the Apostle's sentiment when he says, "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is necessary on your account" (Philippians 1). Thus, one should understand that after the forgiveness of sins, he must return to a good conscience and serve the Gospel for the salvation of others as well, so that afterward he may rest with Christ. Otherwise, if someone wishes prematurely to be with Christ, he may neglect the ministry of preaching, suited for the redemption of his brothers.

As for Matthew saying that two were cured from the legion of demons, while Mark and Luke mention only one, understand that one of them was a more notable and famous person, whom that region especially grieved for and whose salvation they greatly desired. The two evangelists, wanting to signify this, judged that only this one should be commemorated because the fame of this deed had spread more widely and clearly. But even in the highest concord of allegory, it is concordant because just as one possessed by a demon represents the Jews, so also two represent the types of Gentile peoples not inappropriately. For while Noah had three sons, only one's family was taken into possession by God: from the other two, diverse nations who served idols were born.

And he besought him etc. Here fourthly is described the benevolence of the healed man in his obedience, which the Evangelist commends on four grounds, namely from the offering of service, from the condescension of the Physician, from the commission of office, and from the publication of the benefit, such that one disposes toward the other.

First, therefore, as to the offering of service, it is said: And the man from whom the demons had gone out besought him, namely the healed man besought the physician, that he might be with him, that is, that he might serve him as Lord and Savior, as Ittai the Gittite said to David in 2 Kings 15: "As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, in whatever place you shall be, whether in death or in life, there will your servant be." So Elisha to Elijah, in 4 Kings 2: "As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." Moreover, he wished to be with him so that he might be more secure, according to that saying of Ecclesiasticus 51: "I will call upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he may not forsake me in the day of my tribulation." Also that he might be more perfect: Psalm: "I will keep your justifications; do not utterly forsake me." Also that he might be more blessed: Philippians 1: "I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ"; and John 12: "I will, Father, that where I am, there also my minister may be." — Therefore he wished to dwell together on the way, so that he might dwell together in the homeland.

Secondly, as to the condescension of the Physician, it is added: But Jesus dismissed him, namely in complete freedom, not wishing to impose any other burden upon him, showing that service ought not to be accepted on account of a benefit conferred; whence Matthew 18: "The lord, having compassion on that servant, released him and forgave him the debt."

For as one who had been tried by experience, he feared, lest perhaps when far from Jesus he should again become the prey of evil spirits. But the Lord shows him, that though He is not present with him, He can protect by His grace, for it follows, But Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done for thee. But he said not, "how great things I have done for thee," giving us an example of humility, that we should attribute all our righteousness to God.

But as He was departing, the man who had been afflicted will not part from his Saviour, for it follows, Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him.