Matthew 8:34 (KJV)

Passage

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Nearby Context

Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

Matthew 8:33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

Matthew 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "behold", "whole", "city", "came", "meet", "jesus", "besought", and "depart". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "behold" and "whole", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "And they that kept them fled and...", giving immediate footing for "behold" and "whole". In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "behold" and "whole" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.