Chapter
Verse

Matthew 8:29

ESV And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"
NIV "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"
NASB And they cried out, saying, 'What business do You have with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?'
CSB Suddenly they shouted, "What do you have to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"
NLT They began screaming at him, 'Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?'
KJV And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
NKJV And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

What does Matthew 8:29 mean?

Jesus and His disciples have sailed across the Sea of Galilee, landing on a southeastern shore (Matthew 8:18). They have come to a Gentile region where Jesus has been approached by two demon-possessed men coming out of some tombs (Matthew 8:28). Now it becomes clear the demons have recognized Jesus.

The questions asked of Jesus by the demons reveal to us several things. First, the demons call Jesus the Son of God. Demons are fallen angels, those who joined Satan in his rebellion against God. Jesus, as God's eternal Son, would have known these beings since they were first created as angels. They would have known Him as the one with power and authority over all things. Their questions confirm Jesus' identity as being God's Son.

Second, the demons recognize that Jesus will ultimately have the responsibility of bringing judgment on them in the form of torment. They understand Him to be the judge and the enforcer of the judgment. They know they will be found guilty and tormented.

Third, the demons know that the time has not yet come for their final judgment. They, too, do not seem to understand the purpose of Jesus' mission on earth in this moment. They might not know there will be a first and second coming to earth by the Son of God.
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