Exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac

The exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39), frequently known as the Miracle of the (Gadarene) Swine and the exorcism of Legion, is one of the miracles performed by Jesus according to the New Testament.^[1] The story shows Jesus exorcising a demon or demons out of a man and into a herd of swine, causing the swine to run down a hill into a lake and drown themselves.

The story appears in the three Synoptic Gospels, but not the Gospel of John. All accounts involve Jesus exorcising demons, identified collectively in Mark and Luke as "Legion".

The story was interpreted by Saints Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas to mean that Christians have no duties to animals.^[2] It has been a point of contention in discussions of Christianity and animal rights.^[3]

^ Redford, Douglas (2007). The Life and Ministry of Jesus: The Gospels. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-7847-1900-8.
^ Cite error: The named reference Honderich was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Spalde was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Redford2007-1] Redford, Douglas (2007). The Life and Ministry of Jesus: The Gospels. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-7847-1900-8.

[Honderich-2] Cite error: The named reference Honderich was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Spalde-3] Cite error: The named reference Spalde was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1]

[2]

[3]