If

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Matthew 8 tells the time Jesus cast out demons from The Man and they went into a herd of pigs; this narrative is also found in Mark 5 and Luke 8. Yes, the three writers approach this story from slightly different angles, so they are not word for word. One difference is the name of the area, you will find Gadarenes, Gerasenes, and the Ten Cities or Decapolis.

This is not the first time I have written about the “man” in the story, see The Man of the Gadarenes and Me and Me and the Man. But as I read Matthew this time one little word stuck out – If.

Now, “if” starts the second line of dialogue that the demons are saying. In Matthew the first conversation (8:29) is the demons questioning Jesus why He was there and was He going to torture or punish them before “the time”. I looked in the English translations in BibleGateway and the statement about time was consistent in them, which should tell you the demons know what their future is. The first part varied some by the translation, but that is okay.

When I did the same study on 8:31 I was amazed that all of the translations had “If you cast us out…”. My NIV Bible is the 1984/1990 copyright, and I expected it to be different in other translations. The reason for that is I assumed that “if” was not a word by itself in Greek; I was wrong. It is ei, Strong: G1487, and see εἰ | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com. I was surprised. Now, before I studied deeper, I wondered if it was a challenge or were they trying to bargain with Jesus to stay where they were. O, the translation/meaning of εἰ comes from the words around it.

Paul, in Ephesians 6, talks about our struggles with spiritual forces. Jesus did many miracles and healings and some specifically mentioned demons/devils and evil spirits, or unclean spirits. Even Jude talks about demons leaving their authority and their home. Over my years as a Christian, I have seen the topic of demons create a wide range of reactions; from denying that they are a factor today to one is behind everything bad that happens. So, seeing Legion trying to negotiate is not surprising. (To be clear, my thinking is not IF, but WHEN Jesus would cast them out.)

I do not like giving the devil or his minions very much thought-time, but this is a study and it seemed good to know how much they were mentioned in the Gospels. Matthew and Mark had about the same number of references at 27 and 28. (This is from the NASB wordsearch in BibleGateway, I tallied all four categories.) Luke had the most at 39, this is not surprising given the that “Gentiles/Greeks” was his intended audience. John had only 9; these primarily were Jews saying Jesus had demons.

A rabbit-trail I went down briefly, was why are there three different groups of minions? At this point I did not find a good reason. Satan is in rebellion, but he still copies the Father’s plans because they work. So, there is some sort of hierarchy to his followers.

Jesus never was intimidated, nor did He retreat, or have to make a deal with the demons. In Matthew 8, I see a classic deflection tactic, it did not work. In His practices, promises, and prophecies, Jesus extends His authority to us His Church. Luke documents demonic activity in Acts, Paul had authority. It is part of the struggle, but we have victory in Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews included two passages that speak to a future and final end to this: 1:13 and 10:13. When He comes, not if, Jesus will put all of this rebellion under His feet.

Things Paul Wrote About – Palē

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Palē is an unusual word. It is used only once in the New Testament, in Ephesians 6:12. From other Greek sources we know it deals with wrestling, struggling, and conflict. I feel it needs to be noted that this “wrestling” is the reason for the “armor of God”. This word embodies Paul’s life starting in Damascus until it ends in Rome. The Book of Acts highlights some of Paul’s conflicts, but his epistles add more of his personal battles and concerns for the Gentile Churches. I have a feeling Paul and Luke did not ink the “whole story” of Paul’s ministry, but the glimpses they give show a serious battle and not a mere wrestling match. Strong’s Greek: 3823. πάλη (palé) — Struggle, wrestling, conflict

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV) Ephesians 6:12 Greek Text Analysis  Strong’s Greek: 2888. κοσμοκράτωρ (kosmokratór) — World ruler, ruler of this world

Was Paul using a twist on words to get a point across to his readers? I think so; you did not get dressed in full battle armor for a wrestling match.

Just as evil attacked Jesus, the same evil went after the Church. The threats and conflict were real and still are as we carry out the Great Commission. Topics and methods have varied through the centuries, but those rulers hate our righteous God, and us, and want to steal, kill, and destroy His world and His people.

Luke wrote “an account” for Theophilus about Jesus and the beginning of the Church. As I have read Acts and Paul’s letters it seems fair to say these were not encyclopedic. Even joining them together does not give us a “perfect” picture of Paul’s travels and works and precious little of what the Twelve were doing. Yes, I would love to have the “whole” story, but I believe the Holy Spirit knew that we could not handle all of it. With that said, I will open the door to these struggles knowing I will not cover them all. (Foxes Book of Martyrs may be a good resource.)

History, tradition, and man wanting to “help and box” God was the first level of attack. Zealous people who did not want Jesus also added to the pale. Natural and supernatural things were problems for Paul and the Church. The center of Paul’s struggle, however, is Jesus, His Cross, His Resurrection, and the Mystery that the Father wanted non-Jews in His Family. In the circle of believers, strong theological feelings developed on circumcision and observing the Law as early as Acts 10 with Peter’s vision and visit.

Some context here seems important; Jesus knew and told His disciples about His and their trials and suffering (Matthew 10:38, 16:21-24). Jesus had Ananias tell Saul/Paul what lay in front him – Acts 9:16. The Greek word pathein (suffering) comes from the root word paschō, Strong’s number: G3958. That form of the word is associated with Jesus on the Cross. Sorry, that topic is not mentioned very often now-a-days, but Christians around the world are suffering! Yes, in America we are losing our freedoms.

Two things started for Saul, the Pharisee, in Acts 9:5; 1. His Messiah became real and personal to him, 2. The enemy of his soul took notice, feared, and started to work against him. When you chose Jesus and made Him Lord, those two things also started in your life. Jesus’s gift and calling for Paul was to be for us (Gentiles) a witness, testifier, and teacher to the new life he was given.

Every time Paul called or said Lord Jesus, Jesus Christ (Man-God), Christ Jesus (God-Man), and many other titles of respect; he made the Jews of his time furious and broke Roman law. Isn’t it a shame the world disrespects our Savior and God by misusing His name and titles. For Paul, his use of these names and titles were the foundation of the attacks against him.

  • The Cross

Jesus told His followers in Matthew 10:38 and 16:24 to take up their crosses and follow Him. The listeners were not thinking of a nice necklace. 

The Deniers in Matthew 27:40 knew and saw the works of God Jesus had done. They thought Rome and a piece of wood would let them keep the Temple, tithes, and titles.

The Twelve proclaimed Jesus’ death on the cross (a curse) and his resurrection (a blessing) in Acts 5:30 and 10:39.

Paul recognized the Cross of Jesus as many things. This knowledge and preaching led to Paul’s wrestling and suffering.

1. A tool of reconciliation, Ephesians 2:16 and Colossians 1:20.

2. Foolishness and a stumbling block, Galatians 5:11 and 1 Corinthians 1:18.

3. Enemy Maker, Philippians 3:18 and Galatians 6:12.

            The Cross | Mark’s Bible Study          

  • The Resurrection – This event is serious bad news for the kosmokratór and his close friend Death. The evil one (ponērou) saw this threat to his plans and started deflections as soon as he could. Deniers vehemently claim that the Bible is just copying myth and legend of the societies around them. Many ancient cults have “someone” dying and coming back to life. The Greeks and Northern Europe have several gods who do this. Allow me to flip that coin and stand it on its edge; the ponērou pushed that lie to neutralize the coming victory of Jesus on the cross. The evil one understood the symbolism of Noah and the Flood very well.

I do not know or understand why the Sadducees rejected the idea of resurrection. Besides the Flood narrative they had Issac and their exodus from Egypt through the Red Sea. The kosmokratór was obviously at work to destroy hope and keep all eyes on the works of man (Herod’s Temple) to save them.

Greek Concordance: πονηροῦ (ponērou) — 13 Occurrences These thirteen are masculine singular forms of G4190 and are found in Eph 6:16 and Matthew 5:37 and 6:13.

Verses and ideas on the Resurrection (I suggest a word search tool): Jesus – Matthew 16:21 Jesus told them and added the three days. Peter – 1 Peter 1:3 a new birth and living hope. Power – Acts 4:33, Romans 1:4, and Philippians 3:10. Attacks – 1 Corinthians 15:12 and 2 Timothy 2:18. Other verses – Acts 5:30, 10:39, 17:18, 23:6, 24:15, and 24:21.

Old Testament references might be found in verses with ransom and redeem. Use Hosea 13:14 as a reference.

  • Circumcision was the physical sign of the Lord’s Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17). Later it was included in the Law as a requirement of a male to be an Israelite. Under Roman rule if you were a Jew (circumcised) you did not sacrifice to Creaser. Paul’s letter to the Galatians (a region in Turkey) has much to say about this topic, see 2:12; 5:11, 12; and 6:12. Paul had much to say about those who demanded Gentiles be circumcised: 1 Corinthians 7:19, Titus 1:10, and Philippians 3:2. Paul’s view for the Gentiles is found in Colossians 2:11; a circumcision done without hands.
  • The Law is and was important, the Father wrote it. Acts 13:39 says it well – Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. (NIV) Paul, being a Jew, honored the Law of Moses. A few verses to considered: Acts 21:24 and 28; and 23:29.
  • Natural – In 2 Corinthians 11:26 -33 Paul gives a glimpse at his palē. I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. (NIV)
  • Supernatural – Demons knew Paul, so not to over spiritualize everything, I will note Acts 16:16. A female slave had a spirit that predicted the future and was being a thorn to Paul. This is like the times Jesus would not let the demons announce who He was. He did not need the testimony of devils.  

Paul warned the Church about their palē from false brothers and teachings. They had been growing even before the Apostle John died. I will mention this one that attacked who Jesus was, it is called Arianism. This teaching is called Christian, but it is not, and it spread very quickly among the intelligent and learned of the day. The Visigoths of northern Europe especially were attracted to this teaching. If they sound familiar it is because they attacked and sacked the Western Rome Empire. I consider this a holy war.

Arianism – Wikipedia 

Visigoth | History, Culture & Legacy | Britannica

An Analogy

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When I read C.S. Lewis I get stretched out of shape in good ways. Lately, I been stretched because of a Daily Reading book we bought; I desired to make an analogy for the Christian Bible. Types, shadows, and metaphors of the Old Testament being seen and used in the New Testament are nothing new in my writings. Jesus quoted and used many examples from the Hebrew Scriptures when He taught; Him using parables relates to “God concealing a matter and kings having to search them out”. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are like Jesus’ parables, in that they can have several layers of applications. Paul uses terms that talk of types and shadows and relied on them frequently in his writings. St. Augustine of Hippo saw a clear connection and is credited with saying, “The new is concealed in the old and the old is revealed in the new.”

Personally, I tend to over think analogies. I want them perfect and applicable no matter how I come at the topic; that does not always work. As my thoughts poured in, I had to reject some and put others in a holding pattern. Well, here are some attempts, yes, some I could not use.

A Watershed – When this first bubbled up I thought it was pretty good. Many branches (the 39 OT books) all flowing down to one center point and joining together, the river. I let this one keep on flowing for several reasons, mostly because it sounded too much like “there is more than one path to god”. (The small “g” was on purpose.)

A Flashlight – This bright idea has promise. The Old Testament is the power source, the bulb is Jesus, and He shines out as the New Testament.

The one I am working with is:

An Orchestra – Yes, this is a work in progress. I see my Bible as three sections: the 39 books of the Old Testament, 4 Gospels, and 23 Church books. If your Bible book has the Apocrypha, just keep Jesus as the Conductor.  

  • The 39 instruments are all playing the same piece of music. Each adds a distinctive sound that is in harmony with the other instruments.
  • Jesus/God is the conductor who directs them, as they all face Him. The Gospels share the baton in bringing out the harmonious sound. Jesus ties those instruments together as the melody “flows through Him” to the audience.
  • The Tomb and the Resurrection add a very Christian nuance to this analogy. Jesus went in “one way” and “came out another”. I am thinking the Conductor would turn around, with the Orchestra still playing, so He is facing and directing the “Church”.
  • The final 23 Books and the Church are facing Jesus and following His leading and they are listening to the same song from the Orchestra. JESUS IS LORD, not your denomination. The writers of those last Books had ONE Composer. I believe there are people in every denomination following the Conductor and doing their best to be in harmony with Him. The Father will direct the angels to harvest out the people-weeds and thorny-doctrines to burn them up.
  • I have two talented musicians in my family, who have been given the gift of being able to play by ear and they can read sheet music. (When I have tried playing with my ear, all I accomplished was hurting my head.) They “hear more” (different things) in a song than I do. I agree with the writers of those last 27 books; weeds and thorns have snuck into the Church and have caused no end of problems.  

Analogies are useful teaching tools, that may allow you to show relationships. I am not sure that making analogies doctrines are a good idea. When you stop and take the time to think on the things of God and compare your thoughts to His Words, that is righteousness.

Did I extend my orchestra analogy to its full extent? No, I could compare the Books of the First Testament to specific musical instruments. With more study, I could bring in notes, chords, scales, and other musical things that are represented in a written musical work.

Could I make Watershed work? Sure, but I feel I would have to do a lot of parameters that might detract from the lesson. Who knows, I might get over myself and give it a try.  

Analogies are related to types and shadows, so here are some references: Shadows– Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1 (See G4639 Strong’s); Types– Romans 5:14, Hebrews 11:19. Terms may vary with the translation.

Jesus in the Psalms – The Nations

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Well, this study started with Luke 2:32 where Simeon announced that Jesus would be a light of revelation to us Gentiles and the glory of Israel. Paul quotes this idea in Acts 26:23 in his trial before Festus. No, it does not come from Psalms, but is found in Isaiah 42:6, which is heavy on prophecy. I wanted to see how the Holy Spirit directed the prophets who Psalms to include us Gentiles coming to Jesus. So, I started a search with the word Gentiles in the Book of Psalms. That did not go as planned but opened up a lot of things I did not expect.

Translations and Phrases

The translation you use will determine what word you use in your search, on-line or with leaf and ink. An example – the King James seems to have followed the Geneva 1599 Bible in calling us heathen instead of Gentiles or nations. In Psalms many verses, in Hebrew, use the word gō·w·yim, and that is not the only word that is translated nation. A beauty of our God is the poetry and imaginative language He uses when speaking through His prophets and song writers. Between our God’s creativity and translators doing their job I only scratched the surface of all the verses in Psalms that have or show nations and how they relate to God. Here are several links that may help.

gō·w·yim

The reason for me using gō·w·yim as a point of reference is it appears in Psalm 2, 22, and 33, and they (in my opinion) all refer to nations coming to Jesus. Psalm 102:15 also mentions them coming to God. Now, this was not the only topic/idea that the Psalms have about nations relating with God and the future Jesus’ life and mission. There is a plethora of verses on God ruling and battling, and then the nations and peoples praising God. Israel as a nation is referred to many times and other nations and their gods also have several mentions.

Here is one example – Psalm 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. (KJV)

Initially, these posts were to be Christmas related. The Magi are the Gentile representation involved in the story. You will not find the term Magi in Psalms, instead think about kings and rulers as in Psalm 138:4 and 72:10-11. If you stretched real far in the other books of the Old Testament magic and magician might be grabbed, but that is very iffy. Since rocks can cry out, trees can clap their hands, and waves can roar; Psalm 97:6-8 can include the heavens proclaiming His righteousness and glory. These verses also suggest the angels were worshipping Him. Let’s include the star first mentioned by Balaam (Abraham’s seed, but not Jewish) in Numbers 24:17.

Time to vent my very active imagination. What else in the world joined the angels in singing that day when the Savior of all creation was born? Does Psalm 97 give other hints? Mary told Matthew and Luke what she knew and could see in Bethlehem. What about everywhere else; did the earth quake, volcanoes erupt, forests rustle, herds and flocks sing, clouds drop lightning bolts, and the seas make noisy waves? Alas, we may not find that out until Heaven, but I have to think a lot of praise happened that night for the birth of the Creator. Silent Night is a beautiful song, but I want to believe that there was a lot of rejoicing.  

A Few Observations

  • Psalm 2 is a Father writing to His Son.
  • Psalm 22 I call the Jesus Psalm.
  • Psalm 33:10 -15 is about the people He chose for His inheritance.
  • 22 +33 have a mention of food and provisions.
  • Many times, nations and peoples are in the same verse or Psalm.

My takeaway. For the most part, the Psalms were written before most of the historical books in the Bible and before the Prophets. Besides the Law, the Prophets had the Psalms to read and reflect on. There is so much about the life and ministry of Jesus nestled in these songs, but how the nations will be treated are a major theme from beginning to end. Psalms proclaim just part of the message, but their voice deserves to be heard with the Prophets.

Jesus in the Psalms – Death and Rising

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The life of Jesus in the Psalms was and is an unrolled scroll for all to see. In The Birth, I said I wanted to do the story from just the Psalms. I do intend to focus on Psalms, but this topic is intersecting with other post that are in the works and is just too important. No, I will not get all the references. An example of this is Paul’s Palē or struggles, this topic brought him problems from both the Jews and the Greeks. As I did a word search with “ris or rise and death or dead” something kept showing up that I did not expect, more on that later.

I believe the Holy Spirit used things in the life of David and the other psalmist to announce things that related to Christ. Yes, Moses to Ezra all wrote things that were for Jesus; you need to be careful not to think every line is prophesy. I read a line on tombs and thought it could be included, then I read it in context and knew it was not about Jesus.

In your studies, I suggest you read other translations and use a text analysis tool/reference.

The Psalms

16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (KJV) Paul uses this verse in Acts 13:35. Written by David.

22:16-18 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (KJV) This is where it describes gambling for the clothes. Written by David.

We know this relates to Roman practices, but forms of sticking people on pieces of wood had existed even before David. Here are two resources; yes, there are detractors about anything Jesus.

31:12
I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. (KJV) Verse 13 has those enemies plotting to take his life. Written by David.

88:3-7 This section talks about “the pit and the dead”. Written by Heman, it is a song of the Sons of Korah.

Psalms 16,22,31, and 88 have more in common than the verses that I have cited. The last three cover friends leaving, insults, and people attacking.

89:45-48 Cut short his days and what man can save himself from the grave. Written by Ethan the Ezrahite-Ethan and Heman.

Some Other References

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Matthew 12 and Luke 11 are where Jesus compares Himself with Jonah.

Christians use the Red Sea, Exodus 14, crossing as an example of baptism, which is when we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Elijah raised the widow’s son in 1 Kings 17.

Elisha is credited with two people coming back to life: the Shunammite woman’s son in 2 Kings 4, and a dead man in 2 Kings 13, Elisha was dead, it was his bones that held the power.

New Testament

In my post, Jesus Knew and Told the Disciples, I explored the times in the Gospels when Jesus is credited with prophesying His death. An aspect that I did not think about was the Jewish leaders heard about this also. Herod is quoted asking about John and the power he was hearing Jesus had, Matthew 14. Matthew 27:63 is the Jewish leaders talking to Pilate about posting a guard. It just seems that they understood about a Messiah-figure rising from the dead.   

Jesus also raised people from the dead: the widow’s son, Jarius’ daughter, Lazarus, Matthew 27:52 “holy people” came from tombs alive when Jesus died, and Himself.

Jesus Knew and Told the Disciples