ere now able to obtain something1), and another thing to pray in faith. Even Satan himself sometimes obtains his request, as we learn from the first chapter of Job. — si, x.r.1.., if, etc.) They perceived already that they must change their abode. — evrirpe-^ov tj/j^Tii, x.r.X., suffer us, etc.) The mischief should be ascribed to the devils, not to the Lord; and who would compel Him to hinder the devils ?
32. ' AT?jX0ov, they were come out) Our Lord performed one miracle by which He inflicted punishment on a tree, namely, a fig tree ; another on swine ; another on men buying and selling in the temple. A specimen of future vengeance. His other mi racles were full of grace ; and even in these benefit was pro duced, as, for example, in the present case, a road rendered safe, a region freed from spirits to which it was liable, by their being driven into the sea, the possessed liberated, an excessive quantity of animal existence removed which was forbidden to be eaten, and in this case liable to be possessed by devils. And the Gergesenes were guilty, and deserved to lose the herd. The circumstance shows indisputably the right and the authority of Jesus. — awidavov, died) It seems that a possessed brute can not live long. That men who are possessed do not thus perish immediately, is an especial mercy of God.
33. o'i jSoaxovreg, they who fed) Although they were not pro fessedly herdsmen by occupation. — scpvyov, fled) The devils could not overtake them.
34.2 riapsxaXgrfai', they besought) Those who are held fast by concern about their property, more easily and readily repel than pursue. Even avarice is timid. Or perhaps they besought our Lord with no evil feeling.3 See Luke v. 8.*
1 Comp. Mark v. 10, 12.— E.B.
2 IT£<7« -/i TTO'X/J, the whole city) Such great commotion do earthly interests cause ! — V. g.
3 At all events, though the Gergesenes besought Him with such a request, as did also their neighbours the Gadarer,es, yet He left behind a leading one of those who had been possessed (Luke viii. 35, viz. the man whom the men of the city had found " sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind") as a preacher of the Gospel to them. This one may have been a Gadarene, and the other a Gergesene. — Harm. p. 274.
4 Where Peter, from humility instead of malignity, exclaims, " DEPART FROM ME, for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord." — (I. B.)