The answer is: Pigs

Matt 8:32

In an rather intriguing episode from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus encounters two demon-possessed men who lived among the tombs. When He casts out the demons, they request to go into a nearby herd of pigs rather than being sent away. Surprisingly, Jesus agrees, and the pigs rush down the steep bank into the sea, drowning in the waters. What a vivid (and somewhat peculiar) narrative!

But why pigs? Contextually, pigs were considered unclean animals in Jewish culture—an epitome of what was forbidden under the Mosaic Law. Their demise highlights the great divide between clean and unclean, representing a breaking from traditional norms, especially for those in the Jewish community. Interestingly, some theologians have viewed animals in this story symbolically, where the transformation or release signifies a shift not only for the men involved but also vis-a-vis the broader human experience wrestling with evil or harmful spirits.

From a cultural perspective, this narrative also speaks to the economic devastation felt by the local swineherds. Losing a herd of pigs in one fell swoop certainly emphasizes the dramatic nature of the miracle. To round it off, this peculiar event reframes the interaction of the sacred and the mundane and begs reflection on possession—both spiritual and material. Did those herders run to town to share their wild tale? Who knows! But this story does echo loudly through the ages, urging us to explore appearances and the unseen world of challenges that can lurk just below the surface.