Luke 8:29

29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power.

Luke 8:29 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 8:29

For he had commanded the unclean spirit.
&c.] That had the rest of the devils under his authority, and power,

to come out of the man;
this he had done, either before, or just as he came up to him; (See Gill on Mark 5:8).

For oftentimes it had caught him;
possessed him, and wrought so strongly in him, and with so much fury, that there was no governing him: and he was kept bound with chains and fetters;
attempts were made to bind him, and keep him bound, but in vain: and he brake the bands; (See Gill on Mark 5:4). And was driven of the devil into the wilderness:
into some desert and desolate place, where were the tombs and sepulchres of the dead; this was done by the prince of the legion.

Luke 8:29 In-Context

27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town.

28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!”

29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power.

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

31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.

Footnotes

• [a]. Greek unclean.