And the demons begged him, saying, If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs. The demons' request — send us into the pigs rather than into the abyss — reflects the reality that Jesus affirms by granting it: demons seek to inhabit bodies (verse 43 in Luke 11 suggests they wander without rest when unhoused). The choice of pigs is the choice of unclean for unclean; the consequence will be the destruction of the pigs. The demons negotiate with Jesus — which itself reveals his authority over them — and he grants the request, but the outcome is not what they sought.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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