Matthew 8:29

Matthew 8:29. And behold, they cried out. They strangely enough (‘behold') did not assail; even their hostile words confessed the superiority of Jesus.

What have we to do with thee, lit ‘What (is) to us and thee,' what have we in common? The language of the demons, who recognized Him as the son of God. ‘Jesus' is omitted according to the best authorities.

Dost thou come hither before the time to torment us? ‘Before the time,' i.e., too soon, to be joined with ‘come;' peculiar to this Gospel. It does not necessarily refer to some definite time of judgment or torment, when they would be forced to submit. The language is that of opposition, blended with consciousness of weakness. It is demoniacal to defy and oppose, even when conscious that it is useless! According to Luke, our Lord had already begun to exercise His power, and they knew they must obey.