When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him.  They were so fierce that no one could pass that way.  Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God?  Have you come here to torment us before the time?"  Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them.  The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine."  And he said to them, "Go!"  So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water.  The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs.  Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

Mark 5.1-20 presents a greatly expanded version of this event.  There are many points for reflection in this passage.  Why did the demons present themselves to Jesus instead of run?  This would not be the only time Satan believed himself capable of deceiving Christ, if that was the motive.  Or perhaps they were compelled to present themselves to him due simply to his authority.  In any event they show disrespect toward Our Lord in their manner of approach and speech.  For our part let us, too, bow before the Lord in the submission which is proper, but substitute Mary's words for theirs: Let it be done to me according to thy will.

Luke 11.24 tells us that demons are reluctant to leave an earthly abode lest they be forced to return to their place of torment.  So they ask to enter into the swine.  Jews were prohibited by the Mosaic Law to own swine so this was not a Jewish region.  But commentators on this passage point out a possible double-meaning in the destruction of the swine.

Telling is the attitude of the local townspeople toward this event.  Mark states that "they were afraid."  Their attitude and consequent begging of Jesus to leave can be a mirror of our own attitude toward the divine in our life.  When we see signs that Christ "might want to have something to do with us" do we shut him out of our lives for fear of what it might mean?  The townspeople perhaps would have preferred to have their swine back rather than have the kingdom of God come into their lives.  We so often cling to what amounts to swine, preferring the mud of the world because of its sickly familiarity, rather than allow Christ to turn everything upside down and liberate us.