Note 2 at Lk. 8:33: As mentioned in note 6 at Mark 5:13, page 153, the value of these swine at today's prices could have exceeded $250,000. A lot of people lost a lot of money because of Jesus' actions. However, it was expressly forbidden in the Old Testament law for these Jews to eat swine or touch their dead carcasses (Lev. 11:7-8; Dt. 14:8). It isn't stated that these Jews were eating the swine themselves but that is a distinct possibility. Regardless of whether they were selling these swine to Gentiles or not, they were merchandising something which God had forbidden them to partake of and it was not in keeping with the intent of the Old Testament law. Therefore, Jesus' actions that permitted the destruction of this herd of swine not only got rid of the demons but also got rid of the illegal trade in which these Jews were involved.