Luke 8:29

29 This was because Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times the spirit had taken hold of him. His hands and feet were chained, and he was kept under guard. But he had broken his chains. And then the demon had forced him to go out into lonely places in the countryside.

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 When Jesus stepped on shore, he was met by a man from the town. The man was controlled by demons. For a long time he had not worn clothes or lived in a house. He lived in the tombs.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet. He shouted at the top of his voice, "Jesus, Son of the Most High God, what do you want with me? I beg you, don't hurt me!"

29 This was because Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times the spirit had taken hold of him. His hands and feet were chained, and he was kept under guard. But he had broken his chains. And then the demon had forced him to go out into lonely places in the countryside.

30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

31 And they begged Jesus again and again not to order them to go into the Abyss.