Mateus 8

Mateus 8

Vincent - The tombs. Chambers excavated in the mountain, which would afford a shelter to the demoniac. Chandler (“Travels in Asia Minor”) describes tombs with two square rooms, the lower containing the ashes, while in the upper, the friends performed funeral rites, and poured libations through a hole in the floor. Dr. Thomson (“Land and Book”) thus describes the rock-cut tombs in the region between Tyre and Sidon: “They are nearly all of the same form, having a small chamber in front, and a door leading from that into the tomb, which is about six feet square, With niches on three sides for the dead.” A propensity to take up the abode in the tombs is mentioned by ancient physicians as a characteristic of madmen. The Levitical uncleanness of the tombs would insure the wretches the solitude which they sought. Trench (“Notes on the Miracles”) cites the following incident from Warburton (“The Crescent and the Cross”): “On descending from these heights I found myself in a cemetery whose sculptured turbans showed me that the neighboring village was Muslim. The silence of night was now broken by fierce yells and howlings, which I discovered proceeded from a naked maniac who was fighting with some wild dogs for a bone. The moment he perceived me he left his canine comrades, and bounding along with rapid strides, seized my horse’s bridle, and almost forced him backward over the cliff.” Demon-possessed (1139) see note on daimonizomai. Met (5221)(hupantao from hupo = by, below + antao = to meet face to face with; antao is from anti = opposite) means to go to meet and may include an element of hostility or opposition as in Jesus' encounter with demon possession (Mt 8:28+; Mk 5:2+; Lk. 8:27+) and also in Lk 14:31+ meaning to meet to oppose in battle which is a good picture of what we see here - the Kingdom of darkness "meets" the Kingdom of light (the King of that kingdom). Compare the "hostile meeting" in Acts 16:16+. Tombs (3419)(mnemeion from mneme = memory, remembrance) literally means a memorial and then a monument to commemorate the dead (Mt 23:29), but most often referred to a tomb, grave or sepulcher. These burial chambers were commonly hewn out of rock hillsides or cliffs on the outskirts of a town or city. The first NT use describes "demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs" (Mt 8:28), the second Jesus' rebuke of the Jewish religious leaders who were "hypocrites" building "the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous" who they would have willingly murdered,(Mt 23:29, 30), the third describes the tombs opened and dead rising when Jesus died (Mt 27:52, 53), the fourth describes Jesus' burial tomb (Mt 27:60). Most uses refer to the tomb in which Jesus' dead body was laid - Mt 27:60; Mt 28:8; Mk 15:46; 16:2, 3, 5, 8; Lk 23:55; 24:1, 2, 9, 12, 22, 24; John 19:42; 20:1-4, 6, 8, 11 Acts 13:29. They were so extremely (lian) violent (hard to manage, intractable) that no one could pass by that way - So no one dared go this way because the man (apparently two men) was not only violent but strong and could not be subdued. At least one of the men was naked (Lk 8:27). Mark 5:3-5+ adds details not found in Matthew's account writing that "no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones." Violent (5467)(chalepos) means difficult, hard to bear, troublesome, hard, perilous an d when referring people means fierce, violent dangerous, savage. Simply being in the region near these men placed one's life in jeopardy because these demonized men were chalepos—harsh and harmful, presenting a high risk to anyone in the region. That's a description of of the last of the last days, for in the only other NTuse Paul says "realize this, that in the last days difficult (chalepos) times will come." (2 Ti 3:1+) Could (2480)(ischuo from ischus = might) means to be strong in body or in resources. Ischuo can speak of physical power as in Mk 5:4+ (cf Mk 2:17+ = "healthy", Mt 9:12+ = "healthy"). In Php 4:13+ Paul uses it to describe having the required personal resources to accomplish some objective. When Paul said that he could do all things, he meant all things which were God’s will for him to do. He had learned that the Lord’s commands are always the Lord’s enablements. Where the finger of God points, the hand of God provides the way. In a negative sense it speaks of that which is good for nothing (Mt 5:13+). Ischuo is the equivalent of to have efficacy, to avail or to have force. Uses in Mark - Mk. 2:17; Mk. 5:4; Mk. 9:18; Mk. 14:37 Related Resources: What are unclean spirits? Are unclean spirits demons? What does the Bible say about demon possession / demonic possession? What does the Bible say about demonic oppression? Wikipedia article on exorcism of Gadarene demoniac Can a Christian today perform an exorcism? What does the Bible say about casting out demons? Can a Christian be demon possessed? Questions about Angels & Demons MATTHEW 8:28–34 (cf. Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39)—Where were the demoniacs healed? PROBLEM: The first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) each give an account of Jesus healing demoniacs. Matthew states that the place where the healing took place was the country of the Gadarenes. However, Mark and Luke say it was in the country of the Gerasenes. SOLUTION: There is a textual problem here. The critical text of the Greek NT (Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies) renders Mark and Luke the same as Matthew, namely, in the country of the “Gadarenes.” However, some manuscripts give the name of the country as the Gerasenes. It is possible to account for the variant reading in these manuscripts as a scribal error. Gadara may have been the capital of the region, and Matthew therefore referred to the area as the “country of the Gadarenes” because the people of that region, whether they lived in Gadara or not, were identified as Gadarenes. Mark and Luke were perhaps giving a more general reference to the country of the Gerasenes, which was the wider area in which the incident occurred. However, a scribe, confusing the reference in Matthew as a reference to the town instead of the people of the region, may have attempted to correct the manuscripts and altered the references to make them uniform. It seems that the best textual evidence is in favor of Gadara, although there are varying opinions among commentators. There is no contradiction or error here, because the problem developed as a result of transcription, and there is no evidence to demonstrate that there was a conflict in the original manuscripts. (Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask) MATTHEW 8:28–34 (cf. Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39)—How many demoniacs were healed? PROBLEM: Matthew reports that two demoniacs came to Jesus, while Mark and Luke say that only one demoniac approached Him. This appears to be a contradiction. SOLUTION: There is a very fundamental mathematical law that reconciles this apparent contradiction—wherever there are two, there is always one. There are no exceptions! There were actually two demoniacs that came to Jesus. Perhaps Mark and Luke mentioned the one because he was more noticeable or prominent for some reason. However, the fact that Mark and Luke only mention one does not negate the fact that there were two as Matthew said. For wherever there is two, there is always one. It never fails. If Mark or Luke had said there was only one, then that would be a contradiction. But, the word “only” is not in the text. The critic has to change the text to make it contradict, in which case the problem is not with the Bible, but with the critic. (Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask) See also - Why are there two demon-possessed men in the Gerasene tombs in Matthew, but only one in Mark and Luke? EVIL: ITS NATURE AND REMEDY Matthew 8:28–33 - James Smith This incident has been sneeringly called “The pig affair.” But in these two demon-possessed men we have some of the most terrible and heart-humbling revelations that we have in all the Bible. Look at evil as personified in these wholly-possessed ones. I. Evil may be Closely Connected with Man. These men were “possessed” (v. 28). Evil takes possession of the sinner, controls his actions and thoughts, and completely masters his whole life. Sin is an awful tyrant, a perfect despot; it claims and affects every power and faculty of the being. II. Evil is Allied with Death. “They dwelt among the tombs” (v. 28). They preferred the company of the dead to that of the living. They loved darkness rather than the light. Such is the effect of an evil heart. The things that holy men dread are loved. The company of those who are dead in sin is chosen rather than the company of those who are alive unto God. They love death; separation from God. III. Evil is the Enemy of Liberty. “No man could pass that way” (v. 28). Sin always hinders true liberty. There are many still who are afraid to pass the tomb (grave) because of evil. As long as there is unforgiven sin in the heart there will be fear. Perfect love casteth out fear. IV. Evil Shuns the Presence of Christ. “What have we to do with Thee?” (v. 29). All living in sin, and satisfied with it, hate the holiness of God. They will have nothing to do with Christ, yet they are afraid of being tormented by Him. They can see no hope in the Holy One of God. V. Its Influence is only Toward Destruction. When the demons entered the swine they did with them what they were trying to do with the men—drove them quickly into destruction. Evil always chooses the shortest and steepest way to ruin. It is easy running downhill. VI. Its Power is too Great for Man. Those possessed ones had no power of resistance whatever; they could do nothing to save themselves. No more can ye. Sin, like a poison, becomes an integral part of the being; it cannot be shaken off like a viper. VII. Its only Cure is to be Cast Out. It cannot be tamed or reformed. Christ said to the demons, “Go.” The mighty, never-failing, cleansing Word of the Son of God alone can change the heart and separate the sin from the soul, as the demons were separated from the men. He speaks, and it is done. VIII. Its Conqueror is often Unwelcomed. “They besought Him to depart out of their coasts” (v. 34). Those who don’t want victory over their sins don’t want the Lord Jesus. If you want sin put away, receive the Lord Jesus. If you want to die in your sins, let Him depart, and He will go. Welcome the sin-separating Saviour. (Handfuls of Purpose) J C