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 5:13 mean?

Explanation

Mark 5:13 recounts a miraculous event where Jesus expels a legion of demons from a possessed man into a herd of swine.

The demons had possessed the man and made him live in a tomb, causing him great distress.

When Jesus arrived, they recognized His authority and begged Him not to send them out of the area, but instead, to allow them to enter into the herd of pigs.

Jesus consented, the unclean spirits left the man and entered the pigs, causing the entire herd to rush down a steep bank into the sea, where they drowned.

The verse touches on themes of spiritual warfare, Jesus' authority over evil, liberation from possession, the value of human life over animals, and the reaction of those witnessing divine intervention.

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Historical Context

The event took place in the region of the Gerasenes, opposite Galilee, a primarily Gentile area, which explains the presence of a large herd of swine, animals considered unclean by Jewish dietary laws.

The historical context suggests tensions between Jewish and Gentile cultures, as well as the implications of Jesus' works outside of purely Jewish settings.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this passage illustrates Jesus' supreme power over demonic forces, reinforcing the Christian belief in His divinity. The fact that the demons begged Jesus for permission shows their acknowledgment of His authority.

Additionally, this passage can bring up discussions on the value of human versus animal life, as Jesus allowed the destruction of animals to save a man.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire individuals to seek freedom from personal demons, such as addictions or destructive behaviors, through faith. It can also encourage believers to trust in the authority of Jesus over all forms of evil and to acknowledge the importance of liberation and healing.

Cross-References

Luke 8:32-33: "There was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them.

And he suffered them."

Matthew 8:32: "And he said unto them, Go.

And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "unclean spirits" is "pneuma akatharta," indicating the impure or unholy nature of these entities.

"Gave them leave" translates from "epetrepsen," signifying that Jesus permitted or allowed action. These terms underscore the spiritual dynamics at play and Jesus' decision-making power in the scenario.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In some ancient cultures, animal sacrifice was used to appease deities or contain evil spirits.

The notion of demons being cast into animals can draw a parallel to such practices, though in this biblical account, it is notable that the action is performed by Jesus to save and purify a man, rather than as a form of sacrifice to a deity.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science generally views stories of demonic possession and exorcism within a psychological and neurological context, often associating such behaviors with mental illness.

The actual event of swine drowning could be seen as a mass animal behavior triggered by extreme stress or panic but lacks a naturalistic explanation for the purported cause - demonic possession.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars offer interpretations of this passage, often focusing on the demonstration of Jesus' power over evil and the implications of the miracle for the non-Jewish audience.

Some suggest the story served as a metaphor for the spreading of the Gospel, with the drowning of the swine symbolizing the abolition of paganism. Others propose it may have been used as a lesson about the potential self-destructive end of evil once confronted by the power of good.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:13 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 5:13 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?