Luke 8:35 Study Bible: Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

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So the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

Study Bible

So the people went out to see what had happened.

This phrase indicates a reaction from the local population to the events that had transpired. The context is the healing of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. The people’s curiosity and concern reflect a common human response to extraordinary events. In biblical times, news of miraculous occurrences would spread quickly, prompting people to investigate. This mirrors other instances in the Gospels where crowds gather to witness Jesus' works, such as in John 6:2, where a large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He performed on the sick.

Mrk 5:14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this…
Mat 8:34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus.…
Luk 24:12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb.…

They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left,

This part of the verse highlights the transformation of the demon-possessed man. Previously, he was uncontrollable and lived among the tombs, as described earlier in Luke 8:27. The phrase "whom the demons had left" signifies the complete deliverance and authority of Jesus over demonic forces. This is consistent with other Gospel accounts, such as Mark 1:34, where Jesus casts out many demons, demonstrating His power over the spiritual realm.

Mrk 5:15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man…
Luk 4:35 But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said.…
Mat 12:22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute…

sitting at Jesus’ feet,

The posture of sitting at Jesus' feet is significant. It indicates a position of learning and discipleship, as seen in Luke 10:39, where Mary sits at Jesus' feet to listen to His teaching. This transformation from a state of chaos to one of peace and learning underscores the restorative power of Jesus. It also reflects a cultural practice where disciples would sit at the feet of their rabbi to receive instruction.

Luk 10:39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet…
Deu 33:3 Surely You love the people; all the holy ones…
Act 22:3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city…

clothed and in his right mind;

The description of the man as "clothed and in his right mind" contrasts sharply with his previous state of nakedness and madness (Luke 8:27). Clothing in the Bible often symbolizes dignity and restoration, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:22). The phrase "in his right mind" indicates a return to mental and spiritual wholeness, a testament to the comprehensive nature of Jesus' healing.

Isa 61:10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult…
2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power…
Eph 4:23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

and they were afraid.

The reaction of fear from the people can be understood in several ways. It may reflect awe and reverence for the power of Jesus, similar to the disciples' fear after Jesus calms the storm in Mark 4:41. It could also indicate a fear of the unknown or a disruption of the status quo, as the presence of divine power often challenges human understanding and control. This fear is a common response to the divine encounters throughout Scripture, such as in Exodus 20:18-19, where the Israelites fear the presence of God on Mount Sinai.

Mrk 4:41 Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another,…
Luk 7:16 A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified…
Luk 5:8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees.…

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus
Central figure in the account, the one who performed the miracle of casting out demons.

2. The Demon-Possessed Man
Previously tormented by demons, now healed and transformed by Jesus.

3. The People
The local inhabitants who witnessed the aftermath of the miracle and reacted with fear.

4. The Region of the Gerasenes
The geographical setting where the event took place, a Gentile region across the Sea of Galilee.

5. The Demons
Spiritual entities that had possessed the man, now expelled by Jesus.

Teaching Points

Transformation through Christ
The man’s transformation from a state of torment to peace illustrates the power of Jesus to change lives completely.

Authority of Jesus
Jesus’ authority over demons demonstrates His divine power and sovereignty over all spiritual realms.

Fear of the Unknown
The people's fear upon witnessing the miracle reflects a common human reaction to the unknown or supernatural.

Sitting at Jesus’ Feet
The posture of the healed man, sitting at Jesus’ feet, symbolizes submission, discipleship, and a desire to learn from the Master.

Witnessing to Others
The man’s transformation serves as a testimony to others about the power and mercy of Jesus, encouraging believers to share their own accounts of transformation.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the transformation of the demon-possessed man illustrate the concept of becoming a new creation in Christ?

2. In what ways can we recognize and submit to the authority of Jesus in our own lives, especially in spiritual battles?

3. Why do you think the people reacted with fear instead of joy upon seeing the healed man? How can we overcome fear of the unknown in our spiritual journey?

4. What does sitting at Jesus’ feet mean for us today in terms of discipleship and learning from Him?

5. How can we use our personal testimonies of transformation to witness to others about the power of Jesus? What practical steps can we take to share our accounts?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Mark 5:1-20 and Matthew 8:28-34
These parallel accounts provide additional details about the demon-possessed man and the reaction of the people.

Acts 9:31
The transformation of Saul to Paul, similar to the transformation of the demon-possessed man, highlights the power of Jesus to change lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17
This verse speaks to the new creation in Christ, paralleling the transformation of the man who was once possessed.

Ephesians 6:12
This passage about spiritual warfare connects to the reality of demonic forces and the authority of Jesus over them.

Sermons

A Three-Fold Blessing	T. R. Stevenson.	Luke 8:35
Casting Out Devils	Expository Sermons on New Testament.	Luke 8:35
Changed by the Power of God	Dr. Talmage.	Luke 8:35
Conversion of a Sorceress		Luke 8:35
Friends of the Devil	Dr. Stephenson.	Luke 8:35
God's Power in Changing the Heart	C. H. Spurgeon.	Luke 8:35
Sitting At the Feet of Jesus	J. Henderson, D. D.	Luke 8:35
Testifying to the Power of God's Grace	M. G. Pearse.	Luke 8:35
The Demoniac At the Feet of Jesus	J. Allan.	Luke 8:35
The Demoniac Recovered	J. Parsons.	Luke 8:35
A Group of Miracles	R.M. Edga	Luke 8:22-56
A Chinese Demoniac	J. Smith.	Luke 8:27-40
A Genuine Case	A. A. Ramsey.	Luke 8:27-40
A Saviour and not a Tormentor	E. J. Hardy.	Luke 8:27-40
Destructive Power	J. Parker, D. D.	Luke 8:27-40
Hell on Earth	Charles Kingsley.	Luke 8:27-40
Insanity is Much Nearer the Kingdom of God than Worldly-Mindedness	A. B. Bruce, D. D.	Luke 8:27-40
Legion	Charles Kingsley.	Luke 8:27-40
Plain Words with the Careless	C. H. Spurgeon.	Luke 8:27-40
Spirits in Possession of a Man	A. A. Ramsey.	Luke 8:27-40
The Demoniac in the Tombs as He Resembles the Unconverted Sinner	J. J. Rew, M. A.	Luke 8:27-40
The Gadarene Demoniac	Norman Macleod, D. D.	Luke 8:27-40

People

Chuza, Herod, Jair, Jairus, James, Jesus, Joanna, John, Mary, Peter, Susanna

Places

Galilee, Gerasa

Topics

Afraid, Clothed, Demons, Departed, Devils, Dressed, Evil, Fear, Forth, Frightened, Full, Mind, Pass, Right-minded, Seated, Senses, Sensible, Sitting, Spirits, Terrified, Whereupon

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Luke 8:35

     2351   Christ, miracles
     4134   demons, exorcism
     4165   exorcism
     5151   feet
     8738   evil, victory over

Luke 8:26-37

2030 Christ, holiness

Luke 8:26-39

5285 cures

Luke 8:34-37

5857 fame

Luke 8:35-37

5962 surprises

Library

June 28 Evening
The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits.--I TIM. 4:1. Take heed therefore how ye hear.--Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.--Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

November 24 Morning
My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.--LUKE 8:21. Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren: saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.--In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.--Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.--Blessed are they …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Seed among Thorns
'And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.'--Luke viii. 14. No sensible sower would cast his seed among growing thorn-bushes, and we must necessarily understand that the description in this verse is not meant to give us the picture of a field in which these were actually growing, but rather of one in which they had been grubbed up, and so preparation been made …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Christ to Jairus
'When Jesus heard it, He answered, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.' --LUKE viii. 60. The calm leisureliness of conscious power shines out very brilliantly from this story of the raising of Jairus's daughter. The father had come to Jesus, in an agony of impatience, and besought Him to heal his child, who lay 'at the point of death.' Not a moment was to be lost. Our Lord sets out with him, but on the road pauses to attend to another sufferer, the woman who laid her wasted …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Ministry of Women
'And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3. And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance.' --LUKE viii. 2,3. The Evangelist Luke has preserved for us several incidents in our Lord's life in which women play a prominent part. It would not, I think, be difficult to bring that fact into connection with the main characteristics of his Gospel, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

One Seed and Diverse Soils
'And when much people were gathered together, and were come to Him out of every city, He spake by a parable: 5. A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

A Miracle Within a Miracle
'And a woman, having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44. Came behind Him, and touched the border of His garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45. And Jesus said, Who touched Me? When all denied, Peter, and they that were with Him, said, Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me? 46. And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched Me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Sower and the Seed.
"A sower went out to sow his seed."--ST. LUKE viii. 5. It is significant that the first of the Saviour's parables is the parable of the sower, that the first thing to which He likens His own work is that of the sower of seed, the first lesson He has to impress upon us by any kind of comparison is that the word of God is a seed sown in our hearts, a something which contains in it the germ of a new life. It is no less significant that He returns so often to this same kind of comparison for the purpose …
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Our Relations to the Departed
"She is not dead, but sleepeth." Luke viii.52 A Great peculiarity of the Christian religion is its transforming or transmuting power. I speak not now of the regeneration which accomplishes in the individual soul, but of the change it works upon things without. It applies the touchstone to every fact of existence, and exposes its real value. Looking through the lens of spiritual observation, it throws the realities of life into a reverse perspective from that which is seen by the sensual eye. Objects …
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

Further Journeying About Galilee.
^C Luke VIII. 1-3. ^c 1 And it came to pass soon afterwards [ i. e.,. soon after his visit to the Pharisee], that he went about through cities and villages [thus making a thorough circuit of the region of Galilee], preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God [John had preached repentance as a preparation for the kingdom; but Jesus now appears to have preached the kingdom itself, which was indeed to bring good tidings--Rom. xiv. 17 ], and with him the twelve [We here get a glimpse …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Ministry of Love, the Blasphemy of Hatred, and the Mistakes of Earthly Affection - the Return to Capernaum - Healing of the Demonised Dumb -
HOWEVER interesting and important to follow the steps of our Lord on His journey through Galilee, and to group in their order the notices of it in the Gospels, the task seems almost hopeless. In truth, since none of the Evangelists attempted - should we not say, ventured - to write a Life' of the Christ, any strictly historical arrangement lay outside their purpose. Their point of view was that of the internal, rather than the external development of this history. And so events, kindred in purpose, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

There are Some Things of this Sort Even of Our Saviour in the Gospel...
27. There are some things of this sort even of our Saviour in the Gospel, because the Lord of the Prophets deigned to be Himself also a Prophet. Such are those where, concerning the woman which had an issue of blood, He said, "Who touched Me?" [2431] and of Lazarus. "Where have ye laid him?" [2432] He asked, namely, as if not knowing that which in any wise He knew. And He did on this account feign that He knew not, that He might signify somewhat else by that His seeming ignorance: and since this …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

The Right to what I Consider a Normal Standard of Living
"Have we no right to eat and to drink?"--I Corinthians 9:4 The white-haired mission secretary looked at me quizzically. "Well," he said, "it's all in your point of view. We find that these days in the tropics people may look upon the missionary's American refrigerator as a normal and necessary thing; but the cheap print curtains hanging at his windows may be to them unjustifiable extravagance!" * * * * * My mind goes back to a simple missionary home in China, with a cheap …
Mabel Williamson—Have We No Rights?

In Troubles --
The king had before this time noticed a spot of immense military importance on the Seine between Rouen and Paris, the rock of Andelys. Indeed he had once tossed three Frenchmen from the rock. It was, or might be, the key to Normandy on the French side, and he feared lest Philip should seize upon it and use it against him. Consequently he pounced upon it, and began to fortify it at lavish expense. Archbishop Walter of Rouen, and late of Lincoln, in whose ecclesiastical patrimony it lay, was furious, …
Charles L. Marson—Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln

Faith a New and Comprehensive Sense.
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns

Sundry Sharp Reproofs
This doctrine draws up a charge against several sorts: 1 Those that think themselves good Christians, yet have not learned this art of holy mourning. Luther calls mourning a rare herb'. Men have tears to shed for other things, but have none to spare for their sins. There are many murmurers, but few mourners. Most are like the stony ground which lacked moisture' (Luke 8:6). We have many cry out of hard times, but they are not sensible of hard hearts. Hot and dry is the worst temper of the body. Sure …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
Numberless marks does man bear in his soul, that he is fallen and estranged from God; but nothing gives a greater proof thereof, than that backwardness, which every one finds within himself, to the duty of praise and thanksgiving. When God placed the first man in paradise, his soul no doubt was so filled with a sense of the riches of the divine love, that he was continually employing that breath of life, which the Almighty had not long before breathed into him, in blessing and magnifying that all-bountiful, …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

The General Observations are These.
There are in these relations proper circumstances of time and place, and the names and characters of persons. Of the miracle on Jairus's daughter, the time and place are sufficiently specified by St. Mark and St. Luke. It was soon after his crossing the sea of Galilee, after Jesus had cured the men possessed with devils in the country of the Gergesenes, Mark v. 21. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him, and he was nigh unto the sea. And behold …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

R. W. Begins his Fifth Discourse, P. 1, 2. With Saying, that He is Now
to take into examination the three miracles of Jesus's raising the dead, viz. of Jairus's daughter, Matth. ix. Mark. v. Luke viii. of the widow of Naim's son, Luke vii. and of Lazarus, John xi: the literal stories of which, he says, he shall shew to consist of absurdities, improbabilities, and incredibilities, in order to the mystical interpretation of them. I have read over his examination of these miracles, and am still of opinion, that the histories of them are credible. I. I will therefore first …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

The Second Miracle at Cana.
^D John IV. 46-54. ^d 46 He came therefore again [that is, in consequence of the welcome which awaited him] Unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine [see page 114]. And there was a certain nobleman [literally, "king's man:" a word which Josephus uses to designate a soldier, courtier, or officer of the king. He was doubtless an officer of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. That it was Chuzas (Luke viii. 3) or Manaen (Acts xiii. 1) is mere conjecture], whose son was sick at Capernaum. [The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ancient Versions of the Old Testament.
In the present chapter only those versions of the Old Testament are noticed which were made independently of the New. Versions of the whole Bible, made in the interest of Christianity, are considered in the following part. I. THE GREEK VERSION CALLED THE SEPTUAGINT. 1. This is worthy of special notice as the oldest existing version of the holy Scriptures, or any part of them, in any language; and also as the version which exerted a very large influence on the language and style of the New Testament; …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

General Remarks on the History of Missions in this Age.
THE operations of Christianity are always radically the same, because they flow from its essential character, and its relations to human nature; yet it makes some difference whether it is received amongst nations to whom it was previously quite unknown, either plunged in barbarism or endowed with a certain degree of civilization, proceeding from some other form of religion, or whether it attaches itself to an already existing Christian tradition. In the latter case, it will indeed have to combat …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

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