Luke 8:37 Meaning and Explanation
“Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Gripped by great fear, the whole region asks Jesus to depart, and He returns to the ship.
What Does Luke 8:37 Mean?
Then the whole multitude of the surrounding country asks Jesus to leave, for great fear has taken hold of them. He does not argue. He goes up into the ship and returns.
It is one of the most sobering sentences in the Gospels: they besought Him to depart, and He departed. Christ does not force His presence on a region that prefers its losses counted and its life undisturbed. Yet His mercy is not finished with them, for as the next verses show, He leaves behind a witness whose changed life will keep telling what they sent away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 8:37
What does Luke 8:37 mean?
Gripped by great fear, the whole region asks Jesus to depart, and He returns to the ship.