8:28

This verse describes in more detail what the man did when he “met” Jesus. Some of the man’s actions, such as seeing Jesus and crying out, happened before he actually came and met Jesus.

The man did these actions himself, but it is clear that the demons in him caused him to fall at Jesus’ feet and shout. In some languages there may be a special way to describe actions that a person does when controlled by a spirit. If that is true in your language, consider whether you can use it here.

8:28a

This verse continues the action that was introduced in a general way in 8:27b and followed by background information in 8:27c–e. Languages have different ways to begin the action of a story again after giving background information. Use a natural way in your language to do that here.

In some languages you may need to give the information in a different order. See the General Comment on 8:27a–28a at the end of the notes on 8:28a for a suggestion on how to reorder the verses.

When the man saw Jesus: The demons living in the man realized who Jesus was. Mark 5:6 states that the man saw Jesus “from a distance.” That is probably the meaning here also. The man first saw Jesus from a distance. Then the demons recognized him and caused the man to cry out and come to where Jesus was.

he cried out: Here the man probably screamed or gave a cry that was noise, but not words. In 8:28b–c he shouted out words.

fell down before Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fell down before Him means to kneel, bow, or lie flat in front of someone in order to show respect. It is common for someone to bow like this in order to plead for something. In this context, the man was under the control of an evil spirit. He knelt before Jesus because the evil spirit knew that Jesus’ power was greater than his.

See how you translated the similar expressions at 5:8b and 5:12c.

That the man bowed down in front of Jesus implies that he came to Jesus (and this was also said in 8:27b). In some languages, it may be natural to make this explicit. For example:

he came to Jesus and bowed down in front of him

General Comment on 8:27a–28a

In some languages, it may be more natural to tell the events in 8:27–28 in a different order or to give background information first. Here is one example:

27a
⌊On that side of the lake⌋ 27ba man who had an evil spirit was living. He was from the town there, 27ebut he now lived in the tombs ⌊near the lake⌋. 27dFor a long time, he had not lived in a house 27cor worn clothes. 27aAs Jesus was stepping ⌊out of the boat⌋ onto the land, 28athis man saw Jesus 27band came to meet him. 28aThe man cried out and knelt at Jesus’ feet.

8:28b

shouting in a loud voice: The phrase in a loud voice is an English idiom that means “very loudly.” The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shouting in a loud voice is literally “he said with a great/loud voice.” In some languages it may be sufficient to say “he shouted.” Use a word that is natural in your language to describe a person shouting under the influence of a demon.

8:28c

What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?: The demons, speaking through the man, used both Jesus’ name and the title Son of the Most High God to address him. If this would not be natural in your language, you may need to use a different way to express the ideas. For example:

Jesus, Son of the Most High God! What do you want with me? (Good News Translation)
-or-
What do you want with me, Jesus? You are the Son of the Most High God!
-or-
You are Jesus, the Son of the Most High God! What do you want with me?

What do You want with me: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as What do you want with me is literally “What to me and to you?” This is an idiom. It means “What connection/relation do I have with you?”

This is a rhetorical question that implies “we have no connection/relation” or “we have nothing in common.” It also implies a request or rebuke, that is, “since we have nothing in common, you should not trouble me.” In this context, the demons, in fear or panic, were pleading with Jesus not to cause them to leave the man.

Here are some ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• As a question. For example:

What connection do we have with each other…?
-or-
Why are you troubling/disturbing me…?
-or-
Why are you interfering with me…?

• As a statement. For example:

We certainly do not have anything in common with one another…!
-or-
Do not trouble me…!
-or-
Leave me alone…! (NET Bible)

In some languages you may have an idiom that expresses this meaning. See how you translated the similar expression “What do You want with us…?” at 4:34a.

Son of the Most High God: The Bible uses the title Son to express the fact that Jesus has the same nature as God, and that he comes from God. See how you translated the expressions “the Son of the Most High” at 1:32b, “the Most High” in 1:35b, and “the Son of God” in 4:3a and 4:41b.

the Most High God: The phrase the Most High God is a title for God that is used several times in the Old and New Testaments. It indicates that God is greater and more powerful than any other god, being, or power that exists. The title does not refer to literal height or size. In some languages there may be a special way to indicate that a phrase like this is a title. The Berean Standard Bible has done this by using capital letters. Other ways to translate this include:

son of the Greatest God
-or-
son of God, the One who is more powerful than all other beings
-or-
Son of God, the God who is so great that no one is great like him

8:28d

I beg You: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I beg You introduces a strong request. In some languages it may be translated with a word that means “please.”

not to torture me: Though this phrase is grammatically a command, it functions as a request or plea. Use the form in your language that is most natural for a plea. In this context, the word torture means “to punish with suffering and pain.” Some other ways to translate this are:

Do not punish me!
-or-
Do not torment me!
-or-
Do not cause me to suffer!

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