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 5:4 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 5:4 describes the condition of a man who lived in the region of the Gerasenes, whom Jesus encountered during His ministry. This man was possessed by a legion of demons and exhibited extraordinary strength.

The verse captures the community's repeated, futile attempts to physically restrain him with fetters and chains, which he supernaturally broke apart.

The demons inside him gave him a preternatural ability to break any form of physical binding, emphasizing the severity of his condition.

This also highlights the despair and fear of the people who could not 'tame' or control his erratic and potentially dangerous behavior.

The verse sets the stage for the miracle of Jesus casting out the demons and foreshadows the divine power that Jesus wields over the forces of darkness.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Mark 5:4 is set in a time when Jesus of Nazareth was actively preaching and performing miracles in the land of Israel around the first century AD.

In the ancient world, illnesses, especially those of mental nature, were often attributed to supernatural causes like demon possession.

Methods of restraint for those considered dangerously insane were rudimentary and often involved physical restraints.

The mention of fetters and chains reflects the prevailing attempt to control what was not understood and what was beyond the community's capability to manage through medical or psychological means.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse reflects several key themes:

The reality and power of evil - The verse affirms the Christian belief in the existence of demons and their ability to influence or possess individuals. 2.

The limitation of human power - No person could tame the possessed man, indicating the insufficiency of human effort in the face of spiritual afflictions. 3.

Christ’s supremacy over evil - The man's uncontrollable strength under demonic influence sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His authority over the spiritual realm.

Different denominations might emphasize different aspects, such as the Lutheran focus on Christ's power and authority or the Pentecostal emphasis on spiritual warfare.

Practical Applications

This verse can be interpreted in practical applications as:

Acknowledge that there are problems beyond human ability to solve. 2.

Understand the importance of seeking divine intervention in situations that seem insurmountable. 3.

Identify the limits of physical and psychological solutions, stressing the need for a holistic approach that includes spiritual understanding.

Cross-References

Mark 5:3 - "Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:"
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.)"

Acts 19:16 - "And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."

Language Study

In the original Greek text:

"Fetters" (πέδαι - pedai) refers to shackles or bonds placed on the feet.
"Chains" (ἁλύσεις - haluseis) were metal links typically used for prisoners.
"Plucked asunder" (διεσπάσθη - diespasthē) signifies violently ripping or bursting apart.
"Broken in pieces" (συντετρίφθαι - syntetrifthai) implies shattered into fragments.

The use of these words highlights the violent and extraordinary nature of the man's condition and actions.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the Ancient Near East, exorcism practices were not uncommon, and stories of spirits causing extraordinary strength or illnesses can be found in various cultures.

The Bible narrative differentiates by asserting a monotheistic worldview where God’s power is supreme over any demonic forces, juxtaposed with polytheistic cultures where the outcome might depend on the relative power of multiple gods or spirits.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the behavior of the man could be explained by various psychological conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, which can sometimes manifest with extraordinary feats of strength.

However, contemporaneous understanding of mental health was non-existent, and supernatural explanations were prevalent for such phenomena.

Commentaries

Renowned biblical scholars and theologians have various opinions regarding Mark 5:4:

William Lane, in his commentary on Mark, notes that the man's ability to break the chains is evidence of the demons' supernatural influence.
R.T.

France emphasizes the contrast between human powerlessness and Jesus’ authority.

John Calvin saw the story as evidence of the terror the devil can instill in humanity and the salvation Jesus offers.

These interpretations acknowledge the historical and cultural setting of the events described and the theological implications for Christian doctrine.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:4 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 5:4 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?