New Testament
Luke 8:37
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Then the entire population of the Gadarene region begged Jesus to leave, because they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and headed back.
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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: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
What Luke 8:37 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see the reaction of the people from the Gadarene region after witnessing a miraculous event. Jesus had just healed a man possessed by demons, which caused a significant change in the man's life. However, instead of welcoming Jesus, the people were filled with fear. They begged Him to leave their region, indicating that they were overwhelmed by the power He displayed. This fear may have stemmed from a lack of understanding of who Jesus was and what His presence meant for them. They preferred the familiar, even if it was troubling, over the unknown that Jesus represented. Consequently, Jesus respected their wishes and left, illustrating that He does not force Himself upon anyone. This moment highlights the tension between fear and faith, as well as the choice individuals have to accept or reject divine intervention in their lives.
How to apply Luke 8:37 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own responses to Jesus. Are we open to His transformative power, or do we let fear drive us away? Embracing faith can lead to healing and change, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Freeing a Man from Demons (Luke 8:26–39)
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Photo: Gary Todd (Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.), via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Source. Location: Southern end of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem Old City. Resized for the web.
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Plain Meaning
The people living around the Gadarene region asked Jesus to leave. They had just seen him cast a large number of demons out of one man, and the whole herd of pigs had rushed into the lake and drowned. That event filled them with great fear. So Jesus got back into the boat and crossed the water again.
Read It in Context
The people had come out to see what happened after the pig herders reported it. They found the formerly demon-possessed man sitting calmly at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind. Rather than welcoming Jesus, they were afraid and asked him to go.
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Keep studying Luke 8:37
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 8:37 mean?
Luke 8:37 describes how the people of the Gadarene region reacted with fear after witnessing Jesus' miraculous healing of a demon-possessed man. Instead of welcoming Him, they begged Him to leave, highlighting their fear of the unknown and the power He displayed.
Why did the people ask Jesus to leave in Luke 8:37?
The people asked Jesus to leave because they were seized with great fear after witnessing His miraculous power. Their fear likely stemmed from a lack of understanding of who Jesus was and what His presence meant for them.
What is the significance of fear in Luke 8:37?
Fear in Luke 8:37 signifies the tension between the miraculous power of Jesus and the people's discomfort with the unknown. It illustrates how fear can lead individuals to reject transformative experiences.
What does this verse reveal about the choice to accept or reject Jesus?
This verse shows that individuals have the choice to accept or reject Jesus and His transformative power. The Gadarene people's decision to ask Him to leave reflects their preference for the familiar over the unknown.
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