Demons Driven Out by the Master

²⁸ When He had come to the other side,^(A) to the region of the Gadarenes,^[a] two demon-possessed men met Him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ Suddenly they shouted, “What do You have to do with us,^[b][c] Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”^(B)

³⁰ Now a long way off from them, a large herd of pigs was feeding. ³¹ “If You drive us out,” the demons begged Him, “send us into the herd of pigs.”

³² “Go!” He told them. So when they had come out, they entered the pigs. And suddenly the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. ³³ Then the men who tended them fled. They went into the city and reported everything—especially what had happened to those who were demon-possessed. ³⁴ At that, the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.^(C)

The Son of Man Forgives and Heals

9 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own town.^{(D) 2} Just then^(E) some men^[d] brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”^(F)

³ At this, some of the scribes said among themselves, “He’s blaspheming!”^(G)

⁴ But perceiving their thoughts,^(H) Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?^{[e] 5} For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He told the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” ⁷ And he got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck^[f][g] and gave glory^(I) to God who had given such authority to men.