It was in mercy to the owners of the swine that this loss had been permitted to come upon them. They were absorbed in earthly things, and cared not for the great interests of spiritual life. Jesus desired to break the spell of selfish indifference, that they might accept His grace. 339 But regret and indignation for their temporal loss blinded their eyes to the Saviour's mercy.

Det var til gavn for svinenes ejermænd, at dette tab havde fået lov at ramme dem. De var så optagne af timelige ting og brød sig ikke om det åndelige livs store interesser. Jesus ønskede at bryde den selviske sløvheds fortryllelse, så de kunne komme til at tage imod hans nåde. Men fortryllelsen og ærgrelsen over deres timelige tab havde forblindet deres øjne for Frelserens nåde.