Genesis, Chapter 21, verses 3, 8-21
1 Isaac Is Born, 9 Sarah Turns against Hagar9 Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham,cmocking. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my sondIsaac.” 11 The matteredistressed Abraham greatly because of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “fDo not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaacgyour descendants shall be named. 13 And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also, because he is yourhdescendant.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and aiskin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba. | |
15 When the water in the skin was used up, shejleft the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, “Do not let meksee the boy die.” And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. 17 God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him bylthe hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled themskin with water and gave the lad a drink. | |
Matthew, Chapter 8, verses 28-34
28 Jesus Casts Out Demons28 When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. 29 And they cried out, saying, “yWhat business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us beforezthe time?” 30 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them. 31 The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And He said to them, “Go!” And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters. 33 The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything,aaincluding what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region. |
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8:28 The country of the Gergesenes - Or of the Gadarenes - Gergesa and Gadara were towns near each other. Hence the country between them took its name, sometimes from the one, sometimes from the other. There met him two demoniacs - St. Mark and St.Luke mention only one, who was probably the fiercer of the two, and the person who spoke to our Lord first. But this is no way inconsistent with the account which St. Matthew gives. The tombs - Doubtless those malevolent spirits love such tokens of death and destruction. Tombs were usually in those days in desert places, at a distance from towns, and were often made in the sides of caves, in the rocks and mountains. No one could pass - Safely. Mar 5:1; Luk 8:26.
8:29 What have we to do with thee - This is a Hebrew phrase, which signifies. Why do you concern yourself about us? Mat 16:10.Before the time - The great day.
8:30 There was a herd of many swine - Which it was not lawful for the Jews to keep. Therefore our Lord both justly and mercifully permitted them to be destroyed.
8:31 He said, Go - A word of permission only, not command.
8:34 They besought him to depart out of their coasts - They loved their swine so much better than their souls! How many are of the same mind!
21 In this chapter we have,