Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 8:31

"And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss." — Luke 8:31 (ASV)

Jesus was not actually an exorcist . Therefore his asking the demoniac’s name should not be interpreted as an attempt to control the demons through knowing their host’s name. Moreover, it is not clear whether Jesus asked the name of the man or of the demons, though the response comes from the latter. “Legion” implies that there were many demons. As for “Abyss,” see ZPEB 1:30–31 for a wide range of meanings.