“Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When 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.” Luke 8.31-33
When reading this passage in the past, I have always focused on the pigs going over the cliff and dying. However, this would not “end” or kill the demons. They would then go off somewhere and haunt or possess another person or persons. In this passage, they plead with Jesus not to send them into the Abyss. This is another “place” altogether—a place where demons go to be confined, perhaps in torment or pained isolation.
According to Grok AI, “There are 9 references to the Abyss (using the specific Greek term abyssos) in the Bible, all in the New Testament, with Luke 8:31 being one of them and sharing the ‘demonic prison’ connotation most closely with several in Revelation (especially Rev. 9:1–11; 20:1–3).”
If the demons plead with Jesus not to go to the Abyss, it must be rather unpleasant. This is a form of hellish confinement. They do not want to go there, although ironically, they produce “hell” for others through their possession. Does Jesus show mercy to a demon by relegating them temporarily to pigs and then allowing their release back into the “air”? Or was this not yet the time for evil to be ultimately bound? There will come a time, on Judgment Day, when the devil and his dark angels will be finally cast out. Until then, God allows demons to tempt humans, preserving our free will to choose good over evil.
The light in the middle of all of this is the man who was set free from demon possession—his life would begin anew. He would find freedom in now knowing Christ. In addition, the authority Jesus has over the darkness is incredible. He has the power to send a demon to the Abyss? Amazing. We see Him conquering Satan through His death upon the cross—the grave could not hold Him, sin could not bind Him, and Jesus is the only one who can overcome the darkness.
After reading about the Abyss, it compels me to spread the good news to everyone I meet. Why would we not offer the gift of life, light, and salvation to all we encounter? We do not want anyone to be separated from God—in this life or the life to come. It is our joy to spread the Light of Life to rescue people from the power of sin and death.
In the Great Commission in Matthew 28, Jesus says, “Go and make disciples.” This is our command and our confidence—that Jesus Christ came to rescue sinners, of whom I am the worst. If you have met with Jesus, then tell others! If you are not sure about your eternal salvation, then return to Christ, submit to Him, and allow the light of Christ to shine in your heart once and for all.
“O Lord God, you have the power to overcome death! Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. Help me share with others the hope of the risen Christ. Come now, Lord God, fill us with your power and love. Send your Holy Spirit upon all people so they might know the hope of heaven. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen.