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Explanation for:
Matthew
8
:
34
And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their coasts.
13
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Their request for Him to leave their territory is not rooted in pride, as many might assume, but rather in a sense of humility. They view themselves as unfit for the Lord’s presence, much like Peter, who, while fishing, fell at the feet of the Savior and proclaimed, ‘Come away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man’ (Luke 5:8)."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Wherever His name was recognized, He did not reveal Himself abundantly; however, in places where He remained unknown and the people were spiritually blind, He worked magnificent wonders to lead them to an understanding of His divine nature. The lack of awareness among the residents of that town is evident from the conclusion of the narrative. Rather than worshipping Christ and being amazed by His might, they rejected Him and requested that He leave their vicinity. Observe the humility of Jesus Christ coupled with His authority! When the people of that region, whom He had elevated, insisted on His departure, He left without protest, allowing those unworthy of His teachings to part ways with Him. He appointed those once troubled by demons to be their guides, and the swineherds, witnessing the events, were left to learn about all that occurred. As He departed, fear gripped their hearts. The significant loss sparked widespread reports of the incident, capturing the attention of many. Accounts of the remarkable miracle circulated widely, shared by both the healed individuals and the owners and keepers of the pigs that perished."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Gergesenes drove away from their town the One who had the authority to deliver them from demonic oppression. As the Healer was kept from entering, their distress grew, for they hindered the arrival of their Savior. If the Compassionate One is indeed the Son of a different God, how could He have caused the pigs, regarded as unclean creatures made by the Creator, to drown? He granted the demons what they desired and inflicted considerable loss upon the owner of the swine. Furthermore, why did the evil spirits acknowledge their Deliverer?"},{"author-name":"Chromatius of Aquileia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a3df6d7a747a33b4f4a_Chromatius%20of%20Aquileia.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The city where the people encountered the Lord and requested Him to leave is symbolic of the synagogue, which rejected the Lord and Savior of humanity, even in the presence of His divine might. Consequently, He returned to His own city; having been rejected by the synagogue, He came to His Church, rightly referred to as the city of Christ. Yet again, they implored the Lord to leave their territory. We must be vigilant not to allow anyone among us, with an unbelieving heart, to drive the Lord away from the confines of their spirit. For, as it is stated, the Holy Spirit withdraws from those who teach falsely and does not dwell in a soul consumed by sin."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Deeply distressed and fearing even greater anguish in the days to come, they plead with Him to take action. Understand that in places where the essence of swine exists, it is not Christ who dwells there, but rather demonic forces."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"They approached Him as He entered the city, which included all its residents. They were in sorrow over the loss of the pigs and filled with fear, as noted in Luke 8:35; their concern was that the expelled demons might cause them harm. Christ responded without hesitation, recognizing their need for His instruction. Nevertheless, He appointed teachers among them—those who had been liberated from demons and were tending to the pigs."},{"author-name":"Dimitri of Rostov","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b083687b06aec81fcf3_Dimitri%20of%20Rostov.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":17,"exegesis-text":"It is unwise for individuals to distance themselves from the Lord Jesus. It is irrational for those who refuse to embrace Christ and ask Him to leave: \\"Pray that He may pass from their bounds.\\" It is foolish for people to reject God’s presence among them. My dear one, you are aware of the Gospel story recounted in our liturgies, where Our Lord arrived in the territory of Gergesa or Gadara, healing two individuals possessed by demons, who had been troubling the entire region. These wicked beings resided among the tombs, roamed the mountains and deserts, and terrorized travelers, inciting fear among all who crossed their path (Matthew 8:28). Yet, the compassionate Lord liberated these afflicted souls, removing the demons and breaking the chains of fear from the land. He permitted the demons to enter the swine when they pleaded, saying, \\"If you cast us out, command us to go into the herd of swine\\" (Matthew 8:31), demonstrating that even demons cannot exercise power without divine consent and revealing their brutality, as they do not spare anyone under their influence. The demons subsequently entered the pigs and caused their drowning in the sea, but rather than rejoicing in the Lord's arrival and the liberation from the legion of demons, the residents mourned their lost swine and beseeched Jesus to leave. \\"Do not remain with us; do not expel our demons or drown our pigs; go away!\\" they implored. \\"Pray that He may pass from their bounds\\" (Matthew 8:34). Oh, what folly! Do you value demons more than God? Are swine more cherished than Christ? Would you prefer to witness your fellow countrymen tormented by demons rather than restored to health? Oh, Gadarenes, who are more irrational than the Galatians! You fail to discern what is truly harmful and beneficial, leading to your own destruction!\\n\\nAt this moment, I wish to convey to you the profound misfortune of being deprived of God's presence, of not having Him in our sight, of pushing Him away and failing to desire His closeness. How great is this folly and destruction! But you should listen carefully to my words. Where God is present, all things are good; outside of His presence, all is evil. A person who harbors God within does good, and all good comes through them; conversely, one devoid of God can only act wickedly. \\"But if God be with us, none can stand against us\\" (Romans 8:31). In His absence, we find all our enemies rise against us and prevail. When God is with us, a mere spider's web can serve as a sturdy barrier; without Him, even a solid wall becomes as fragile as a web, affording no protection. It is well with those who are with God, while those without Him are doomed. Who is with God and who is without Him? This question is easy to answer: the righteous are filled with God, while the wicked lack His presence. Truthfully, God's omnipotent influence is upon every individual, both the righteous and the unrighteous, for \\"He is everywhere and fills all things. As the sun shines upon the good and evil alike, so does He sustain them all\\" (Matthew 5:45). Yet, His special grace—compassionate, saving, and protective—resides only with those who turn to Him with reverence and love, perceiving Him as ever-present. As King David declared, \\"I see my Lord before me\\"—for all things done in His presence, motivated by fear and love, are performed in a godly and upright manner. Those who live as if constantly before the eyes of God, often repeating Elijah's and Elisha's words: \\"The Lord lives, before whom I stand\\" (1 Kings 17:1), are marked by virtue. \\n\\nConsider this: if a person envisions God in this way, He draws near to them, for \\"He is with those who draw near to Him.\\" If someone turns away, they likewise turn their face from Him. The Lord mirrors us; if we peer into the mirror, we see the reflection. If we turn away, we likewise lose sight of that reflection. So, God regards those who consider Him, but He turns away from those who dismiss Him and refuse to acknowledge His presence. \\n\\nNow, let us reflect on the great evil and misery stemming from the absence of God. Before Christ arrived, the land of the Gergesenes was overrun with demons and swine, as a legion of demons plagued one individual. A legion, by some accounts, is as many as 5,000, and others estimate even more; the key is that it implies a multitude. Consider the devastation: if one demon, granted divine permission, can wreak havoc, what about countless demons? Truly, the region suffered immensely due to this demonic horde. Some sources claim there were merely 2,000 pigs, yet even one demon could have drowned the entire herd; so what havoc could a legion unleash with divine allowance?\\n\\nAs we return to our discussion, recognize that where God's presence is absent, only demons and swine multiply—symbolizing demonic malice and baseness. In such places, humanity loses its distinction, becoming indistinguishable from demons or possessed swine, consumed by a destructive abyss. Judas Iscariot lost the Lord's presence within himself; he extinguished his love for God, for God ceased to be before him. Though he saw Christ with his physical eyes, his spiritual vision was blind, turning instead to the crowds among the Jews to betray Him: \\"What will you give me, and I will deliver Him to you?\\" (Matthew 26:15). He no longer regarded God and feared Him. What then became of Judas? The adversary entered him, and he, like a demon, became one with evil. Just as “he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:17), so, too, the one who unites with the demon shares in its spirit. A wicked person, through their bond with evil, becomes indistinguishable from it. Should a person cease to look to God, neglect to revere him, and act as though He does not exist, they slip into a godless existence. Abandoning divine fear, such individuals may engage in corrupt enterprises, seeking unjust gains, reaching out to the base and unholy, even stealing from their neighbors. \\n\\nDuring this time, they become nothing but manifestations of evil, for Satan infiltrates them, as he did with Judas, creating a common spirit with him. Oh, the depths of despair found in lacking God before one’s gaze! The prodigal son, turning away from his father, strayed far, ultimately ending up among the swine, yearning to fill himself with what the pigs ate (Luke 15:16). Likewise, anyone who drifts from God through their sinful actions gradually becomes like a pig, immersed in filth and heading towards eternal ruin. \\n\\nWhere the Lord is not present, where individuals fail to keep Him in view, one finds only swine and demons—an existence steeped in ruin, culminating not just in simple misfortune but in a fiery abyss. Pharaoh, in his rage, scorned God's counsel and refused to set Israel free. The consequence? He plunged into the Red Sea with his body and into hell with his soul. The inhabitants of Sodom indulged in a base lifestyle, succumbing to abominable sins, and what became of them? They suffered an end worse than that of the swine, drawn down in raging flames from heaven. The root of these tragedies was their failure to acknowledge God's presence—without fearing or recognizing Him. Pharaoh’s declaration, \\"I will not see your God, nor will I let Israel go\\" (Exodus 5:2), reflects blindness and madness. Likewise, the Sodomites, caught in wicked passions, turned a blind eye, oblivious to God's coming judgment. \\n\\nGod speaks to Abraham about their transgression: \\"The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grave; I will go down to see…” (Genesis 18:20-21). He states this not because He is unaware—His all-seeing eyes observe all things from eternity. Rather, He emphasizes their guilt, highlighting their impending destruction due to their refusal to regard Him. Thus, when He declares, “I will go down to see,” it signals their rejection of Him and a coming reckoning for their transgressions. \\n\\nOh, the magnitude of the evil and distress caused by not keeping God in sight! David rightly observes, “There is no God before him; his ways are always corrupt” (Psalms 9:25, 26); revealing the link between a sinner's defiled path and their lack of divine awareness. Why do individuals disregard God's sacred commandments? Because God is not before them. Why do people inflict harm on others? Because God is absent from their thoughts. Why do thieves steal and murderers kill? Because God is not in sight. Why do the dishonest act deceitfully? It is because they do not remember God; they lack fear of Him and disregard the afterlife, having no expectations of His kingdom: “There is no God before them.” \\n\\nIf sinners maintained God in their vision, recollecting the coming judgment and punishment, they would hesitate to offend Him, their Judge. Recall the tale of chaste Susanna and the two corrupt elders who sought to ruin her. What spurred their malicious intent was their lack of reverence for God; they thought, “The doors are shut, and no one sees us” (Daniel 13:20). How mistaken they were! \\n\\nOh, shameless judges! What gives you the impression that no one observes your actions? Can you hide from the gaze of the Almighty? No matter the barriers, can any earthly construct obstruct the omniscience of God? It is written, “The eyes of the Lord are as bright as the sun, observing all human ways and secrets” (Sirach 23:27, 28). Again, “Nothing escapes the eyes of God; all things are plain before Him” (Sirach 39:25). You think, “No one sees us,” yet this delusion led you to sin, to forget God’s presence and to willfully stray. \\n\\nWhat delivered the virtuous Susanna from sin? Simply, she kept God before her. \\"For me, who has not committed sin, it is better to perish at your hands than to sin against God\\" (Daniel 13:23). In her heart, she perceived His omnipresence, instilling true fear of God, for He knows and judges all our deeds. Better to face injustice than betray God. \\n\\nWhat a model of piety! Those who remember God in everything they do will not falter and will never offend Him. Should a person stumble, keeping God in view will prompt them to rise again, fulfilling the Psalmist’s words: “Even if he falls, he will not be broken, for the Lord supports him” (Psalm 36:24). \\n\\nYet those who lack God’s gaze, like the Gergesenes, sought to push Him further away: \\"They prayed that He might pass from their bounds.\\" The Gergesenes were not entirely evil—they simply did not desire Christ in their midst and, voluntarily, sought to rid themselves of Him. In contrast, we sinful humans often do far worse—we compel and dishonor our Lord. \\n\\nTo the one who claims, \\"I have never cast Christ away or dishonored Him,\\" I say: consider how you persecute Him in your neighbor and dishonor Him in your own life. Each act, good or evil, towards others reflects back upon Christ, as He reaffirmed: “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to Me” (Matthew 25:40). When you aid the needy, you serve Christ; by withholding assistance, you harm Him as well: “For you did not do it to one of the least, neither did you do it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). \\n\\nPonder how often you not only neglect to help others but may even compound their suffering. You do not merely lack compassion, but actively encourage cruelty. Consider all the acts of malice inflicted upon the innocent; every offense against them is an offense against Christ. As many times as you wrong your neighbor, you wrong Him, for as He stated, “Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least, you did not do it unto Me.” \\n\\nThis is how you persecute Christ in others! But how about the dishonor wrought upon Him within yourself? Remember the apostle's words: \\"Do you not know that your bodies are the members of Christ?\\" (1 Corinthians 6:15). How could one who belongs to Him engage in sinful acts? Surely, it must not be so! \\n\\nYour lips are no longer solely your own; they belong to Christ, for He created and redeemed them through His precious blood. Each time you defile your words through sin, you bring shame to Christ, transmuting His lips into a conduit for wickedness. \\n\\nWhile I hesitate to delve deep into such matters, mindful of the shame they incur, I leave it to your conscience to consider how egregiously our actions exceed those of the Gergesenes toward Christ. They only asked Him to depart, while we actively compel and dishonor our Christ, undermining Him through our actions. \\n\\nAnd consider what happened to the Gergesenes as a result. Following Christ's resurrection and ascension, shortly thereafter the inhabitants of Jerusalem instigated treachery against the Roman authorities under Nero’s rule, rebelling against those in power, culminating in violent confrontations against the Gergesenes that left many dead. This was their retribution for pushing Christ away and refusing Him shelter.\\n\\nYet, this was just the first act of divine vengeance. In due course, under the command of Caesar Vespasian, Annius led an army into Judea, targeting Gergesa and executing the rebels, rendering the area desolate, leaving behind a thousand dead bodies. Thus, came the second judgment against the Gergesenes. Eventually, a Saracen king from Damascus rebuilt the city of Gergesa, but Baldwin, a noble from the West, later invaded and decimated the region, slaying the Saracens and sealing its fate in desolation.\\n\\nAnd might there be a fourth judgment awaiting that land on the final day of reckoning? Consider how many times judgment has befallen this place due to its unwillingness to receive Christ. In contrast, we repel Him with coercion and dishonor. What can we anticipate following such offenses? \\n\\nJust as I mentioned at the start: where God is present, goodness abounds; absent Him, evil prevails. How can we discern whether God dwells within us? The Scriptures tell us unequivocally: where love exists, so does God; where there is charity, holiness, self-control, and reverence, God is likewise there. Simply put, where genuine faith and righteous deeds flourish, there God resides. \\n\\nSo let us examine ourselves: have we not banished love from our hearts? Today, we witness a love bereft of sincerity, merely a facade of goodwill masked by our malicious hearts. The scripture's prophecy resonates true: “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). True love is practically extinct, as we have insisted on excluding it alongside God Himself.\\n\\nLet us not presume to seek truth. Wrongdoings abound; the reality is beyond our despair. We’ve exiled truth, and thus expelled God. No longer do we even understand what mercy entails; cruelty permeates our actions as we inflict unkindness upon others. Conclusively, if we forsake mercy, we have forsaken God. \\n\\nIn terms of purity, moderation, and chastity, are we not reminiscent of Sodom and Gomorrah? Our intoxication knows no bounds, and any notion of fearing God eludes us entirely. We have cast aside every virtue, thereby dismissing God. \\n\\nI need not expound upon matters of faith leading to division, but recall the words of St. Luke: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). Regarding good deeds, it is clear we have banished them, along with God Himself. Without His goodness, mercy, protection, or support, what is to become of us? Reflect and judge for yourselves! \\n\\nI summarize with the example of the Gergesenes: oh, how great is the evil found in being deprived of God's presence, of not beholding Him, and of consciously casting Him away through our sinful actions! Such behavior embodies folly and madness. May Christ our Lord deliver us from such a fate! Amen."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Can you perceive the level of intrigue sparked by the miraculous event? The Evangelist observes that all the inhabitants of the region of the Gergesenes—men, women, youths, elders, and individuals of all ages and statuses—left their city to approach Jesus Christ, clearly eager to witness the events that had captured their attention. “And they went out,” the holy Mark writes, echoing Luke, “to see what had happened” (Mark 5:14; Luke 8:35). However, upon discovering the miracle, gazing upon Jesus Christ, encountering the formerly possessed who had regained their senses and were clothed, and confirming the destruction of the swine, what was their response? Did they revere the Miracle Worker? Did they express gratitude to the Benefactor? Did they desire to hear the teachings of the Master? None of this occurred; instead, they implored Him to leave the vicinity of their town. What accounts for such a reaction? Why do they reject the Benefactor? The Evangelist Luke provides insight: “for great fear seized them” (Luke 8:37). Indeed, overwhelming fear clouds the mind and, like other passions, leads to ungratefulness and folly. Yet the gentle Jesus, upon hearing their request, calmly boarded the ship and crossed the sea to return to His own city."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"They requested Him to leave their land: the shepherds also shared news in the town about the healing of the possessed man, a miraculous event; however, the townspeople asked the Miracle Worker to go away. They may have been fearful of His immense power and worried that He might punish them with something worse than losing their herd of pigs, or they could have been so consumed by their attachment to their belongings that they did not wish to keep the one who had taken away part of their wealth among them any longer. Both of these reactions reflect poorly on the moral character of the residents of that region, who chose not to welcome the Miracle Worker, the healer of the possessed. “Know from this, that where swine live, there lives not Christ, but demons live” (Theophilus)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The entire community, both the small and the great, gathered to encounter Jesus. It is hard to imagine they would not come to witness such a miracle worker. Perhaps if their swine had not perished, their response might have been different. Other Gospel writers mention that the people of Gergesa observed the man possessed by demons, or possibly both afflicted individuals, restored at the feet of Christ: they were clothed, of sound mind, and receptive to His teachings. One would think that the Gergesenes, astonished by the miracle, would invite the Lord Jesus to remain with them, much like the wise Samaritans who later requested Him to heal their sick and guide them in true faith. Yet, their sole request was for the Miracle Worker to depart from their region… AND WHEN THEY SAW HIM, THEY BEGGED HIM TO LEAVE THEIR TERRITORY. There was no joy for them in witnessing the healing of the demon-possessed; their sorrow lay with the loss of their pigs. The blessed Theophylact observes, “Where the lives of pigs are valued, there is no place for Christ, only demons.” The Apostle Peter once exclaimed, “Depart from me, Lord! For I am a sinful man” (Lk. 5:8), a testament to his humble faith and reverent fear stemming from a recognition of his frailty. However, the Gergesenes did not share such fear; their reasoning suggested that this Wonderworker was a threat, and they preferred distance from Him; they desired to continue living as they had, indulging in their sins. Consequently, the Lord withdrew from them, honoring their request. At times, God, in His righteous anger, may heed the pleas of His adversaries, ignoring those who cherish Him. We should not judge the Gergesenes too harshly; they were Gentiles. But is this not also reflective of us, sinners, during moments of divine visitation amid worldly afflictions? For instance, when a grave, deadly illness strikes and death gathers around us, our hearts tremble with dread, causing us to plead with the Lord to let His righteous anger pass us by... Yet, do our sincere desires and vows before God—in which we commit to turn away from our past sins and embrace a new life living by His commandments—hold true? Or do we secretly wish to return to our former, sinful existence as soon as the fear of death dissipates...? “Let us observe the meekness of Jesus Christ,” remarks St. Chrysostom, “perfectly balanced with power. When the inhabitants of that region, so honored by Him, drove Him away, He departed without resistance, leaving behind those who were unworthy of His teachings, instructing them through the healed man and the swine, so they might learn from the events that transpired.” This serves as a profound lesson for those who do good deeds for their neighbors, yet do not receive gratitude in return. The less acknowledgment you receive for your kindness, the more invaluable it remains in the eyes of God. To seek gratitude from others defines one not as a benefactor, but merely as a debtor or a merchant. “And you will be blessed,” proclaims the Lord, “for they cannot repay you; you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14). St. Luke shares that the man freed from demon possession pleaded with the Lord not to be separated from Him. Perhaps he feared the demons would return in the absence of the Lord, or out of deep gratitude, he yearned to remain a devoted disciple to his Healer. However, the Lord entrusted him with a significant and sacred mission: “Return to your home,” He instructed, “and declare what God has done for you” (Luke 8:39). Although the Gerasenes proved unworthy of His presence, the Lord did not depart without leaving a testimony among them—a witness to proclaim the grace and power of the Lord, capable of healing the all who suffer spiritually, just as He had liberated the demon-infested man. This man faithfully executed the Lord’s command: “He went and proclaimed” not only throughout his own city but across all of Ten, “what Jesus had accomplished for him” (Luke 8:39), and all were astonished by the miracle of God performed in him. “It is permissible for anyone,” states Chrysostom, “to perceive this narrative in a deeper manner. Those who mirror the pigs in their sinful passions are ensnared by demons and plunged into ruin. Therefore, when one becomes captivated solely by earthly beauty, they become no different than the possessed man. Who can restrain and control such a person, who is perpetually lost? What can we say of the lover of money? Is he not similar? Who could ever restrain him? The demons, though they may scorn humanity, obeyed Christ’s command and departed immediately. Yet, these others do not heed His command, despite hearing His words daily: ‘You cannot serve God and mammon’ (Matt. 6:24).”"},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The residents of those areas came to investigate what had transpired; they approached Jesus and discovered the man who had previously been fierce and instilled fear within them, now sitting peacefully at Jesus' feet, clothed and in a sound state of mind. The possessed man, who had previously broken chains and shackles, was certainly without clothing, as noted; if the locals saw him now dressed, it is clear that the disciples of Jesus were responsible for this. Those who arrived found him in a sound mind; their conversation with him confirmed this assessment. The shepherds who had returned also joined in the discussion, serving as witnesses to the events they had witnessed. Many people from the vicinity of Gerasenes came, as mentioned in Luke. However, these individuals were unrefined; their hardened hearts and minds could not comprehend the significance of what had occurred; they were overwhelmed with fear and awe. This fear compelled them to worry that something even more dreadful could befall them if the unknown Man and His followers remained in their midst. Thus, feeling unable to act violently towards the unexpected guests, they implored Jesus to leave them, thus preferring to remain in their prior state of spiritual ignorance. Jesus complied with their request, but not in its entirety: by leaving, He freed them from the influence of demonic spirits. The man, thankful for his deliverance, desired to accompany Jesus, but since he was meant to testify about the miracle he had experienced, Christ instructed him, “Go home to your own people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”"},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In awe of this remarkable occurrence, the shepherds quickly spread the news throughout the towns and villages, drawing people from all directions to witness the extraordinary guest in their neglected region. They discovered that a significant transformation had occurred in the tormented man who once instilled fear in everyone. The divine visitor had healed him, bringing him a serenity akin to that of a child. A compassionate hand draped a garment over his bare and soiled body, and he sat at the feet of Jesus Christ, fully restored in his mind. On witnessing this, they were filled with astonishment. However, their shock was not solely due to such a profound miracle, but rather from the grievous loss they encountered as a result: two thousand pigs had perished. Since these swine were valued more than humanity and the potential blessings promised by the divine Visitor, they collectively implored Christ to leave their region in shameful agreement. Jesus had previously taught His disciples not to offer sacred things to dogs, nor to cast pearls before swine, “lest they trample them with their feet and turn again and rend you.” Therefore, He chose to depart from the unwelcoming land, yet to ensure that the gospel of the kingdom of heaven was not entirely withdrawn, He appointed the healed man to proclaim the glory of God in that area. “Go home,” instructed the Savior, “and tell them what the Lord has done for you and how He has shown you mercy.” Thus, the formerly demon-possessed Gadarene became the first evangelist of God's kingdom in that region, known as Tithegradia, and his message was affirmed by the wondrous miracle he had personally experienced."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"These accounts filled them with even greater dread; they feared suffering an even worse fate and, lamenting their loss, they turned away from the presence of the Lord. The entire community of the Gadarene region, including the townspeople, pleaded with Him to leave their territory. Thus, when the residents of that area, who had been recipients of His kindness, compelled Him to go, He departed quietly, leaving behind those who had proven unworthy of His teachings. He boarded a boat to return home. As He was leaving, a man possessed by demons, who had been restored, approached Him and asked to accompany Him. It is unclear whether his immediate motive was a heartfelt gratitude towards the Healer or a fear that he might lose this blessing after the Lord's departure. Jesus, however, did not grant his request but instead sent him back to share his experience with others, instructing him to return to his family and report what the Lord had done for him and how He had shown him mercy. The man obeyed, proclaiming the works of Christ in his town and to his relatives, and eventually throughout the entire region of the Ten Cities. Those who heard him were astonished by his testimony, which may have laid a foundation for faith among the people of that partially pagan land."}]}
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