The two demon-possessed men did not try to threaten Jesus or block his way when they cried out to him. The Greek word translated as met
in Matthew 8:28, hupatan, often describes the act of welcoming back a conquering general or king. The demons came, not in threat, but in fearful surrender. The beginning of their defeat gives all God’s people reason for strengthened faith and confidence.
No, in fact in Matthew’s version of the encounter between Jesus and the demon-possessed men in the Decapolis, the first important point of consideration is the fact that while these demon-possessed men prevented everyone else from passing, they did not blockade Jesus. This points to the fact that they have already been overcome. The Greek word translated as met
in Matthew 8:28, hupatan, is often used to describe the act of welcoming back a conquering general or king. Here they are not waiting to ambush him, but approach him as if raising the white flag of surrender and respect. Jesus is the Son of God. The whole world belongs to him. Their shouts are therefore not to be understood as threats, but rather as anxious cries in an attempt to ward off a threat: What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?
Characteristically, this remark of theirs contains a mixture of submission, cunning, and slander.1
In the encounter with the demons the forces of darkness once again suffered a new defeat. As such this encounter not only strengthened the faith of the disciples, but later also the faith of all of God’s children. The demons were already well-aware of their fate, while also knowing that at the time Jesus had not yet achieved full victory.2
29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”