Luke 8:30
New International Version
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

New Living Translation
Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons.

English Standard Version
Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.

Berean Standard Bible
“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

Berean Literal Bible
And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons were entered into him.

King James Bible
And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

New King James Version
Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.

New American Standard Bible
And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; because many demons had entered him.

NASB 1995
And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion"; for many demons had entered him.

NASB 1977
And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.

Amplified Bible
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, “Legion”; because many demons had entered him.

Christian Standard Bible
“What is your name? ” Jesus asked him. “Legion,” he said, because many demons had entered him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“What is your name?” Jesus asked him.” Legion,” he said—because many demons had entered him.

American Standard Version
And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus asked the man, "What is your name?" He answered, "My name is Lots." He said this because there were "lots" of demons in him.

English Revised Version
And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many devils were entered into him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He answered, "Legion [Six Thousand]." (Many demons had entered him.)

Good News Translation
Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is 'Mob,'" he answered--because many demons had gone into him.

International Standard Version
Jesus asked the man, "What's your name?" He answered, "Legion," because many demons had gone into him.

Majority Standard Bible
?What is your name?? Jesus asked. ?Legion,? he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

NET Bible
Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.

New Heart English Bible
Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion," for many demons had entered into him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many demons had entered into him.

Weymouth New Testament
"What is your name?" Jesus asked him. "Legion," he replied--because a great number of demons had entered into him;

World English Bible
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered into him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jesus questioned him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons were entered into him,

Berean Literal Bible
And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons were entered into him.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jesus questioned him, saying, 'What is thy name?' and he said, 'Legion,' (because many demons were entered into him,)

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jesus asked him, saying, What is the name to thee? And he said, Legion: for many demons came into him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jesus asked him, saying: What is thy name? But he said: Legion; because many devils were entered into him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jesus questioned him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered into him.

New American Bible
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus asked him, What is your name? He said, Legion, because many demons had entered into him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Yeshua asked him, “What is your name?” But he said to him, “Legion”, because many demons had entered him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Jesus asked him, saying: What is your name? He answered, Legion; for many demons had entered into him.

Godbey New Testament
And Jesus asked him saying, What is thy name? And he said Legion; because many demons entered into him.

Haweis New Testament
Then Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? and he said, Legion: for many devils were entered into him.

Mace New Testament
upon Jesus's saying to him, what is your name? he answer'd, legion, (for many demons were enter'd into him.)

Weymouth New Testament
"What is your name?" Jesus asked him. "Legion," he replied--because a great number of demons had entered into him;

Worrell New Testament
And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," (because many demons entered into him).

Worsley New Testament
And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? and he said, Legion: because many demons were entred into him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Demons and the Pigs
29For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And the demons kept begging Jesus not to order them to go into the Abyss.…

Cross References
Mark 5:9
“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”

Matthew 8:29
“What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

Mark 1:24
“What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

Matthew 12:43-45
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. / Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. / Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”

Mark 3:11
And when the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, “You are the Son of God!”

Matthew 4:24
News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them.

Acts 19:15
But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”

James 2:19
You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 16:13-14
And I saw three unclean spirits that looked like frogs coming out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. / These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

1 John 4:1-3
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. / By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, / and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Daniel 10:13
However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

Isaiah 14:12-15
How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Jesus asked him, saying, What is your name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

Legion.

Matthew 26:53
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Mark 5:9
And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

many.

Luke 8:2
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

Matthew 8:29
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Mark 16:9
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

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Demons Devils Entered Great Jesus Legion Questioned Spirits
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Demons Devils Entered Great Jesus Legion Questioned Spirits
Luke 8
1. Women minister unto Jesus of their own means.
4. Jesus, after he had preached from place to place,
9. explains the parable of the sower,
16. and the candle;
19. declares who are his mother, and brothers;
22. rebukes the winds;
26. casts the legion of demons out of the man into the herd of pigs;
37. is rejected by the Gadarenes;
43. heals the woman of her bleeding;
49. and raises Jairus's daughter from death.














“What is your name?” Jesus asked.
This question from Jesus is significant in the context of exorcism narratives. In ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman traditions, knowing the name of a spirit or demon was believed to give one power over it. By asking for the demon's name, Jesus demonstrates His authority over the spiritual realm. This moment also highlights Jesus' compassion and personal engagement with individuals, even those possessed by evil spirits. The act of naming in the Bible often signifies authority and understanding, as seen in Genesis 2:19-20 when Adam names the animals.

“Legion,” he replied,
The term "Legion" is a reference to a Roman military unit, which typically consisted of about 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers. This indicates the vast number of demons possessing the man, emphasizing the severity of his condition. The use of a Roman military term also reflects the cultural and political context of the time, as Judea was under Roman occupation. This term underscores the oppressive and organized nature of the demonic forces, drawing a parallel to the Roman forces that occupied the land.

because many demons had gone into him.
This phrase confirms the multitude of demons afflicting the man, illustrating the depth of his torment and the power of evil. The presence of many demons highlights the spiritual warfare theme prevalent throughout the Gospels. It also sets the stage for the demonstration of Jesus' supreme authority over evil, as He is able to command and expel such a large number of demons. This event foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over all evil forces, as prophesied in passages like Genesis 3:15 and fulfilled in Revelation 20:10.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one who confronts the demon-possessed man. His authority over the spiritual realm is a key theme.

2. Legion
The name given by the demons possessing the man. A Roman legion consisted of thousands of soldiers, indicating the multitude of demons present.

3. Demon-Possessed Man
A man tormented by many demons, living among the tombs, and unable to be restrained by chains. His encounter with Jesus leads to his deliverance.

4. Gerasenes
The region where this event takes place, located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was a predominantly Gentile area.

5. Demons
Spiritual beings opposed to God, possessing the man and causing him great distress. Their interaction with Jesus highlights His power over evil.
Teaching Points
Authority of Jesus
Jesus has ultimate authority over the spiritual realm. Believers can trust in His power to overcome evil in their lives.

Recognition of Spiritual Warfare
The presence of demons in this passage reminds us of the reality of spiritual warfare. Christians are called to be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God.

Deliverance and Transformation
The transformation of the demon-possessed man illustrates the power of Jesus to deliver and restore. Believers can find hope in Christ for personal transformation.

Identity and Confession
The demons' confession of their name, "Legion," signifies the importance of recognizing and confessing the truth. In spiritual battles, acknowledging the truth is a step towards freedom.

Response to Jesus' Power
The townspeople's reaction to Jesus' miracle prompts reflection on how we respond to His work in our lives. Are we welcoming or resistant to His transformative power?(30) Legion.--Here again St. Mark and St. Luke agree.

Verse 30. - And Jesus asked him; saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him The Master vouchsafed no reply to the demons' prayer, but puts a quiet suggestive question to their unhappy victim. The Lord's words, as Dean Plumptre suggests, would serve "to recall to the man's mind that he had once a human name, with all its memories of human fellowship. It was a stage, even in spite of the paroxysm that followed, in the process of recovery, in so far as it helped to disentangle him from the confusion between himself and the demons which caused his misery. But, at first, the question seems only to increase the evil. 'My name is Legion, for we are many.' The irresistible might, the full array of the Roman legion, with its six thousand soldiers, seemed to the demoniac the one adequate symbol of the wild, uncontrollable impulses of passion and of dread that were sweeping through his soul."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“What
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

your
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

name?”
ὄνομά (onoma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

asked.
Ἐπηρώτησεν (Epērōtēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1905: To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.

“Legion,”
Λεγιών (Legiōn)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3003: Of Latin origin; a 'legion', i.e. Roman regiment.

he answered,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

many
πολλὰ (polla)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

demons
δαιμόνια (daimonia)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1140: An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.

had gone
εἰσῆλθεν (eisēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

him.
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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