Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 8:29

"And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" — Matthew 8:29 (ASV)

The demons stand in contrast to the disciples of v.27, for they know who Jesus is. In spite of this knowledge, they remained demons; to know Jesus yet to hate him is demonic. The question the demoniacs hurled at Jesus could be either harsh or gentle, depending on context (2 Samuel 16:10; Mark 1:24). Here it is hateful and tinged with fear. The title “Son of God” is probably to be taken in its richest sense: the demons recognized Jesus not solely in terms of his power but also in terms of his person. He was the Messiah, God’s Son .

The second question shows that there will be a time for demonic hosts to be tortured and rejected forever (cf.Jude 6; Revelation 20:10). As the question is phrased, it recognizes that Jesus is the one who will discharge that judicial function at the “appointed time” (GK 2789); therefore it confirms the fullest meaning of “Son of God.” That Jesus was in any sense circumscribing their activity before the appointed time already shows that Jesus’ casting out of demons was an eschatological function, a sign that the kingdom was dawning (cf. 12:28).

The significance of “here” means “here on earth, where we have been given some freedom to trouble people before the end.” This presupposes that Jesus has come to the earth before the End. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Jesus’ preexistence is presupposed.