Some may reason that the course pursued by Jesus in this matter prevented the people of that region from receiving his doctrine, that this startling exhibition of his power turned them away from his teachings, and cut them off from his influence. But such minds fail to penetrate the plans of the Saviour. At the time that the Gadarenes besought Jesus to leave their coast, there was also a petition offered by the restored lunatics. It was that they might accompany their Deliverer. In his presence they felt secure from the demons that had tormented their lives and wasted their manhood. They kept close to his side as he was about to enter the boat, knelt at his feet and implored him to take them with him and teach them his truth. But Jesus directed them to go home to their friends, and tell them what great things the Lord had done for them. {2SP 314.2}

Nogle kan synes, at Jesu fremgangsmåde i dette tilfælde hindrede folket på denne egen fra at modtage hans lære, at den underfulde åbenbarelse af hans magt drev dem bort fra ham og forhindrede hans indflydelse iblandt dem. Men sådanne misforstår Frelserens plan. På samme tid, som gadarenerne bad Jesus om at forlade deres egn, bad også de besatte, som var helbredte, (315) om at de måtte følge deres forløser. I hans nærværelse følte de sig trygge for de onde ånder, som havde plaget dem og ødelagt deres manddom De holdt sig nær til Jesus, da han var ved at stige i båden og bad ham om at tage dem med sig og undervise dem. Men Jesus bød dem at gå tilbage til deres venner og fortælle dem, hvor store ting Herren havde gjort for dem.