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 5:3 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 5:3 discusses a man who is described as living among the tombs and who could not be restrained even with chains.

This man is typically understood to be possessed by demons or unclean spirits, which is evident from the broader narrative in Mark 5:1-20.

The tomb-dwelling and inability to be restrained suggest a person who is not only socially ostracized but also extraordinarily strong or fierce due to the demonic presence.

Thus, the verse conveys both a literal condition of his dwelling and binding, and a deeper meaning concerning the power of the supernatural and the extreme state of human alienation and suffering it can cause.

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Historical Context

Within the historical context, the event occurs in the region of the Gerasenes, across the Sea of Galilee from the Jewish homeland.

In the time of Jesus, it was common for people with severe mental illnesses or those perceived as spiritually unclean to be shunned and live in places removed from society, like among the tombs.

The use of chains indicates that the local community attempted to control him, possibly out of fear for their own safety and his.

Burial places were considered unclean by Jewish law, and hence his presence there underscores his total isolation from the community.

Theological Insights

In theological terms, the verse underlines the notion of Jesus' authority over demonic forces, which is a recurrent theme in the Gospels. It sets the stage for the following verses, where Jesus performs an exorcism, demonstrating His divine power.

Some theological viewpoints focus on the state of the possessed man as reflective of sin and spiritual bondage, with only Christ being able to offer true liberation.

Others see it as an illustration of Jesus' ministry to the marginalized and his capacity to restore individuals to community and mental health.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by emphasizing the importance of compassion for those who are outcast or struggling with issues that isolate them from society. It encourages believers to bring hope and support to those in the darkest situations.

Furthermore, it is a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers may face and the victory that can be found through faith in Jesus Christ.

Cross-References

Mark 5:4-5: “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.”
Luke 8:29: "For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.

For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness."

Matthew 8:28-34: The account of Jesus healing two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes.

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of Mark 5:3 include:

"dwelling" (Greek: κατοικοῦντα, katoikounta): to reside or live in a place, here indicating the tombs.
"tombs" (Greek: μνήμασιν, mnemasin): refers to places where the dead are laid to rest; in Jewish culture, areas associated with uncleanness.
"bind" (Greek: δήσαι, desai): to tie or fasten, conveying an attempt to control or restrict.
"chains" (Greek: ἁλύσει, halusei): metal restraints used to bind a person, indicating a serious attempt at containment due to dangerous behavior.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This account of demon possession and living among the tombs can be compared to various ancient cultures that had beliefs about spirits or malign entities causing mental illness or abnormal strength.

For example, Mesopotamian and Egyptian texts include incantations for exorcism.

The Roman world also had stories of the restless dead (lemures) and the practice of isolation of the 'mad' from society.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the man's symptoms might be interpreted through the lens of mental health disorders, with the chains understood as an early, albeit inadequate, form of restraining someone perceived as dangerous.

Modern psychiatry would consider diagnoses such as schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder with psychotic features.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations:

Some commentaries emphasize the historical and cultural context, explaining the community's fear and attempt to control what they did not understand.
Others focus on the symbolism of Jesus' power and the message of liberation, wherein Christ restores the man not only to sanity but also to society.
There is also reflection on the theme of Jesus' ministry reaching into the Gentile territories and offering salvation beyond the Jewish community.
Commentators often see the man’s condition and isolation as demonstrating the destructive nature of demonic influence and the mercy of Jesus in delivering individuals from such oppression.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:3 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 5:3 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?