The Greek verb desmeō is closely related to desmeuō (G1195) and means 'to bind' or 'to put in fetters.' It appears in Luke 8:29 describing the demoniac who had been repeatedly bound with chains — and repeatedly broke free.
The Gerasene demoniac's story (Luke 8:26–39) presents a powerful contrast: human binding (chains and fetters, desmeō) was repeatedly ineffective against demonic power, but a single word from Jesus achieved what chains could not. This illustrates that spiritual bondage cannot be broken by human effort or religious ritual — only the authority of Christ liberates the captive. When the man was found 'clothed and in his right mind,' it was the most complete freedom imaginable.