Ancient World

Exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac

The exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39), frequently known as the miracle of the (Gadarene) swine and the exorcism of Legion, is one of the miracles performed by Jesus according to the New Testament. The story shows Jesus exorcising a demon or demons out of a man and into a herd of swine, causing the swine to run down a hill into a lake and drown themselves. The man whom Jesus heals is also specifically mentioned to be a Gentile in Mark's gospel, and he was commanded to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentile residents of the Decapolis following his exorcism. Many scholars and theologians thus count him as Jesus's first Apostle to the Gentiles. The story appears in the three Synoptic Gospels, but not the Gospel of John. All accounts involve Jesus exorcising demons, identified collectively in Mark and Luke as "Legion". The story was interpreted by Saints Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas to mean that Christians have no duties to animals. It has been a point of contention in discussions of Christianity and animal rights. The exact location of the miracle is a matter of dispute, with the Gospels themselves only indicating a general area where the miracle took place. There are also multiple archaeological sites and state parks in both Israel and Jordan which claim to be the location of the miracle.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Eretz Israel Museum
• ▸Cranborne Priory
• ▸American anthropology

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