Expert: Rev Philip Dacre - 9/12/2007

Question
QUESTION: Greetings,
In Matt. and Luke we find two accounts of Jesus casting out the demon "Legion" into the pigs. I understand slight differences can occur due to two different people retelling the event; however, in this case, there is a major discrepency, in that Matt. talks of (1)man being possessed, whereas Luke says it was (2)men. What are your thoughts? Thanks.
G.

ANSWER: Dear Greg,

I have searched the bible and do not find what you suggest. First account of Legion is found in Mark, not Matthew and the Luke account only talks of one man and not two....as follows:-

" 26They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[b] which is across the lake from Galilee. 27When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" 29For Jesus had commanded the evil[c] spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.
30Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

  "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

34When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
"


This is the New Interntional version. Could I know what translation of the bible you are using?

Thank you

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My apologies, my mistake. I'm using the NKJV. Matt.8:28-34 speaks of two men, Luke (as you identified) speaks of only one. From the reaction of the pigs, the crossing of the lake from Galilee to the area of the Gerasenes and the wind and waves obeying Jesus make me think this is the same event. Hope this helps clarify. Thanks.

Answer
Dear Greg,

Yes the bible has many mistakes, that is factual mistakes caused by mistranslations...,more than 100 in the New Testament alone.

In this case you can see how it came about... there is a mix up about the demons being pluralised and the man. "we are many".... and their being only one man.

It is the same with the angels at the tomb of Jesus. One gospel says one and the other says two. Now some people will say that there were two different occasions even here in the case of the Gadarene demonic. But i believe it is as it seems  A mistranslation.

The fact is that the bible is a spiritual book and not a factual one...not even geographical or historically correct version of the facts.

It is a the attitudes and spirits that are presented that are the important issues. We, as westerners, are so fixed to knowledge, science and technology that we start to regard the kingdom of heaven as having the need to be perfect in the presentation of facts. But, in reality, the kingdom is simple...
The thief on the cross simply said "remember me in your kingdom" and Jesus replied "Today you will be with me in Paradise". Simple. No need for born again structuring, baptisms nor creeds, church membership or anything else. Just simple acceptance of those who believe.

Hope this helps Greg?

God bless