What Does Matthew 8:31 Mean in the King James?
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The ones being cast out still ask permission to choose where they go.
THE MEANING
The destructive powers speak as petitioners: they anticipate being cast out, then ask permission to enter the herd. Their words show that even the destination they propose lies within a boundary set by the one they address.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a destructive force can simply choose its own course: here, it must ask permission.
THE ROOT
ἐπίτρεψον
epitrepson
GROWS FROM
τρέπω (trepō), in the compound ἐπιτρέπω
To turn or hand over; in ἐπιτρέπω, to entrust or permit.
“suffer us to” in this verse is epitrepson. The request is for permission, not merely for Jesus to endure their departure. The Greek word family also reaches toward entrusting authority, so even the destination they propose depends on authority beyond their own.
ALSO GROWS
epitropē: Permission or commission
ἐπιτροπή
The shared word family links allowance with the granting of authority, sharpening the sense that their movement is subject to another.
epitropos: Steward or guardian entrusted with a charge
ἐπίτροπος
This related word names someone given authority over what is entrusted to them, echoing the boundary around the spirits’ agency.
παρεκάλεσαν
parekalesan
GROWS FROM
καλέω (kaleō), in παρακαλέω
To call; with παρά (para, alongside or near), παρακαλέω carries the sense of appealing or urging.
“besought” in this verse is parekalesan. The spirits do not simply speak; they make an appeal. The same word family can describe urging and consolation, showing how a call toward another can become either a request or a source of comfort, depending on the relation.
ALSO GROWS
paraklēsis: Appeal, encouragement, or consolation
παράκλησις
It shares the appeal-and-encouragement range of the word used for their request.
paraklētos: Advocate, helper, or comforter
παράκλητος
This related word shows the same call-near family extending from appeal into help and comfort.
THE PATTERN
Hostile spiritual forces appear as bounded agents whose actions answer to a higher authority.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,THE THREAD
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.The Greek verb behind “besought” belongs to the same word family as the repeated “comforteth” and “comfort” here. In Matthew, it carries an appeal for permission; here, that call toward another becomes consolation.
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