Mark 5

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

What does Mark 5:1 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 5:1 describes the moment when Jesus and His disciples arrived at the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in the region traditionally associated with the Gadarenes.

This verse serves as the introduction to the subsequent event where Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. On a literal level, the verse simply sets the geographic stage for the narrative.

However, on a deeper level, the crossing to the other side of the sea symbolizes Jesus bringing His message and ministry to the Gentiles, as the region of the Gadarenes was predominantly non-Jewish.

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Historical Context

The Gadarenes were a group of people living in a Gentile region called the Decapolis, which was a league of ten cities situated mainly on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire and southeast of the Sea of Galilee.

The region was known for its Greek and Roman influences, culture, and religion, which included polytheistic worship.

The mention of pigs in the following verses of the narrative indicates that the area was Gentile since Jewish dietary laws declared pigs unclean.

Theological Insights

This verse is theologically significant due to the portrayal of Jesus' ministry expanding beyond the borders of Israel.

It provides an early indication of the universal scope of Jesus' mission.

For Christian theology, the presence of Jesus in the region of the Gadarenes can be seen as an affirmation that His salvation and lordship extend to all nations and peoples, not just the Jewish community.

Practical Applications

The arrival of Jesus and his disciples in the region of the Gadarenes serves as a practical example for believers to transcend their own cultural and religious boundaries in order to reach out to others with compassion and the message of the gospel.

It encourages Christians to embrace diversity and to witness to people from all walks of life.

Cross-References

Matthew 8:28: "And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way."
Luke 8:26: "And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee."

Language Study

The key term in the verse under analysis is "Gadarenes," which refers to the inhabitants of Gadara.

Gadara was one of the cities of the Decapolis and is now identified with the modern village of Umm Qais in Jordan.

The original Greek word used in the verse is "Γαδαρηνῶν" (Gadarēnōn), which precisely locates the geographical setting for the encounter with the possessed man.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the ancient world, stories of encounters with spirits and divine beings were common in various cultures.

Many ancient myths include episodes where gods or heroes confront and overcome demonic beings or chaotic forces.

Jesus' arrival in Gentile territory and subsequent confrontation with demonic powers somewhat parallels these mythic motifs, although it's deeply rooted in a monotheistic Judeo-Christian framework.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science does not engage directly with the supernatural elements of this verse.

However, the geographical and archaeological references can be studied. Scientific methods like carbon dating and excavation have provided evidence that supports some of the historical claims about regions in the Bible, including the existence of cities like those mentioned in the Decapolis.

Commentaries

Different biblical scholars and commentaries interpret this verse and its context variously.

Traditional commentaries focus on the historical accuracy of the events described and highlight the power of Jesus over evil forces.
Some modern scholars suggest that the Gospel writers used the demon possession narrative to symbolize the social and political oppression of the time, as well as psychological phenomena.
Other theologians could view Jesus' journey to the region of the Gadarenes as an allegory for the Christian mission to spread the gospel to all nations.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 5:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?