Chapter
Verse

Matthew 8:33

ESV The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
NIV Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
NASB And the herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
CSB Then the men who tended them fled. They went into the city and reported everything, especially what had happened to those who were demon-possessed.
NLT The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men.
KJV And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
NKJV Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

What does Matthew 8:33 mean?

Herdsmen responsible for the care and feeding of 2,000 pigs (Mark 5:13) have just witnessed the animals lose their minds and rush into the sea to drown themselves. They are also aware that the two demon-possessed men who lived in the tombs outside of town have been freed from their demons by a stranger. They may have understood that the stranger sent the demons from the men into the pigs (Matthew 8:28–32).

The herdsmen do exactly what one would expect an employee to do when a disaster strikes a business: they rush into town to tell what they have seen. Part of this would include explaining to the pig's owners what has happened to their profits, as well as telling about the strange man who seemed to have caused it all. Whether or not Jesus' reputation was established in this region, or not, His role in this incident would certainly have caused a stir.
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