8:28
This is an interesting incident, both from what happened and from the emphases of the different gospel writers. Matthew gives a much shorter account than we find in Mark (5:1-17) and Luke (8:26-37). Matthew also mentions two men, Mark and Luke only one. Tombs and evil spirits, demon possession, as it still the case today. It is possible that there were two demon possessed men, but Mark and Luke are focusing on the one who was at the forefront of the matter. Note that Matthew pays hardly any attention to the men themselves. Instead, his focus is on the demons, how Jesus dealt with them and the reaction of the town’s people. The region is variously called Gadarenes, Gergesenes or Gerasenes. The two men were so violent that no one dared have anything to do with them.
8:29
The demons want to know if Jesus has come to torture them. It is clear from this and other incidents in the gospels that demons know who Jesus is (cf James 2:19). They even seem to know that there is a day of judgement said aside for them. This perhaps tells us something about heaven and hell and the age old question about how can a God of love send people to hell. These demons know the truth, they know that God is God, they know they are destined for judgement, yet they continue in their evil behaviour. The “if only I knew”, or “if only God had made it clearer” defence does not hold any water. For the problem is not with our knowledge, it is with our hearts.
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