Why Did the Demons Beg to Enter the Pigs?

When Jesus entered the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men came out of the tombs to meet Him. These men were so violent that people were afraid to pass through that area. Yet when the demons saw Jesus, they immediately recognized who He was.

“And they cried out, saying, ‘What business do You have with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?’” (Matthew 8:29).

The demons knew Jesus was the Son of God. They also knew that a time of judgment was coming. James reminds us that merely believing certain facts about God is not saving faith.

“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” (James 2:19).

The demons believed, but they did not love, obey, or submit willingly to God. Their knowledge caused them to tremble because they understood His authority and knew their final punishment was certain.

Matthew records their request:

“The demons began to beg Him, saying, ‘If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs’” (Matthew 8:31).

The parallel account in Luke gives us another important detail.

“And they were begging Him not to command them to go away into the abyss” (Luke 8:31).

The demons were not asking Jesus to save them from the final lake of fire. Scripture says the eternal fire was prepared for the devil and his angels, and their final judgment remains ahead.

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matthew 25:41).

Revelation describes that final punishment:

“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone” (Revelation 20:10).

The abyss appears to be a place where evil spirits may be confined before that final judgment. The demons feared being sent there before the appointed time. They knew they could not resist Jesus or escape His command, so they begged for permission to enter the pigs.

Why did they want to enter the pigs? Scripture does not give us a complete explanation, so we should not pretend to know more than God has revealed. What we do know is that the demons wanted to remain active rather than be confined. We also know that they could not enter the pigs without Jesus allowing it.

“And He said to them, ‘Go!’ And they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters” (Matthew 8:32).

The destruction of the herd exposed the nature of the demons. Satan and his servants do not bring life, peace, or freedom. Jesus said that the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, but He came so that people might have life (John 10:10).

The account also reveals the complete authority of Jesus Christ. He did not perform a ceremony, use a religious object, or struggle against the demons. He gave a command, and they obeyed. They could frighten the people in that region, but they were terrified in the presence of Christ.

Paul wrote that through the cross, Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities” and “made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:15).

Christians should take spiritual evil seriously, but we should never act as though Jesus and Satan are equal powers fighting for control. Satan is a created being. Jesus Christ is Lord over all creation, including every spiritual power.

The demons knew who Jesus was. They knew judgment was coming. They knew they were helpless before His authority. Yet their knowledge did not lead them to repentance or salvation.

That is a warning for us. Knowing facts about Jesus is not the same as belonging to Him. Saving faith trusts Him, submits to Him, and follows Him as Lord.

The demons trembled before Christ because they knew His authority. Those who belong to Christ can trust that same authority because the One whom demons fear is the Savior who holds His people securely in His hands.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

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