Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 8:28-34

"And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two possessed with demons, coming forth out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man could pass by that way. 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? Now there was afar off from them a herd of many swine feeding. And the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And they came out, and went into the swine: and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep into the sea, and perished in the waters. And they that fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to them that were possessed with demons. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought [him] that he would depart from their borders." — Matthew 8:28-34 (ASV)

The devils have nothing to do with Christ as a Savior; they neither have nor hope for any benefit from him. Oh, the depth of this mystery of Divine love: that fallen man has so much to do with Christ, when fallen angels have nothing to do with him! (Hebrews 2:16). Surely, it was torment to be forced to acknowledge the excellence that is in Christ, and yet have no part in him. The devils do not desire to have anything to do with Christ as a Ruler.

See whose language those speak who will have nothing to do with the gospel of Christ. But it is not true that the devils have nothing to do with Christ as a Judge, for they do, and they know it; and so it is with all the children of men. Satan and his instruments can go no further than he permits; they must quit possession when he commands. They cannot break his hedge of protection around his people; they cannot enter even a swine without his permission.

They had permission. God often, for wise and holy ends, permits the efforts of Satan's rage. Thus, the devil hurries people into sin; he hurries them toward what they have resolved against, knowing it will bring them shame and grief: miserable is the condition of those who are led captive by him at his will.

There are a great many who prefer their swine to the Savior, and so fall short of Christ and salvation through him. They desire Christ to depart from their hearts and will not allow his word to have a place in them, because he and his word would destroy their brutish lusts—those swine they give themselves up to feeding.

And justly will Christ forsake all who are weary of him; and he will say hereafter, Depart, you cursed, to those who now say to the Almighty, Depart from us.