Luke 8:31-33

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Luke 8:31 tn One could also translate the imperfect tense here with a repetitive force like “begged him repeatedly.”
2. Luke 8:31 tn Or “command.”
3. Luke 8:31 tn This word, ἄβυσσος (abussos), is a term for the place where the dead await the judgment. It also could hold hostile spirits according to Jewish belief (Jub. 5:6-7; 1 En. 10:4-6; 18:11-16).
4. Luke 8:32 tn Grk “mountain,” but this might give the English reader the impression of a far higher summit.
5. Luke 8:32 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the demonic spirits) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
6. Luke 8:32 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7. Luke 8:32 sn Many have discussed why Jesus gave them permission, since the animals were destroyed. However, this is another example of a miracle that is a visual lesson. The demons are destructive: They were destroying the man. They destroyed the pigs. They destroy whatever they touch. The point was to take demonic influence seriously, as well as Jesus’ power over it as a picture of the larger battle for human souls. There would be no doubt how the man’s transformation had taken place.
8. Luke 8:33 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate a conclusion and transition in the narrative.
9. Luke 8:33 tn The words “of pigs” are supplied because of the following verb in English, “were drowned,” which is plural.