Mark 5:11

Nigh unto the mountains. That is, on the hillside, at some distance from where Christ and the demoniacs stood on the beach (see Matt. 8:30). Whenever in that region the swineherds were undoubtedly always on the alert for the demon-possessed men, and thus saw them as they raced toward Christ, heard their unearthly shrieks, and witnessed the glorious transformation in their appearance that had occurred.

Swine. Although some Jews raised swine for the sake of gain, there is no evidence that the owners of this particular herd of swine were Jews. Certainly, however, they were absorbed in business and profit, oblivious of spiritual things.