Mark Chapter Five
Jesus Heals a Man with Several Demons
[Text parallels Matthew 8:28-34 and Luke 8:26-39]
5:1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
Jesus and His disciples arrive at the other side of the Sea of Galilee, to a prominently Gentile area identified by Mark as the country[1] of Gerasenes. There are a number of variants of that name found in different manuscripts (including Gergesenes and Gadarenes). The location is also known as Gergesa or Gergasa, near the Golan Heights (today known as Kursi or El-Koursi). When Jesus stepped out of the boat He was immediately greeted by a man with an unclean spirit.[2]
This man is further identified as someone who lived in a cemetery, among the tombs. Mark offers a detailed description of this man’s recent history, beginning with the fact that he could no longer be bound, as he was too strong. Plus, no shackles or chains could hold him as he simply wrenched (Greek ’diespasthai’,[3] to pull apart) the chains and broke any shackles that were put on him. No one had any way to subdue the man. Night and day he would cry out among the tombs and on the mountains. He would also cut himself with stones. In Matthew’s account of this event, he records that there were two demon-possessed men and that they were, “so fierce that no one could pass that way” (Matthew 8:28b). While under demonic control these men were supernaturally strong, self-mutilating and definitely a local nuisance.[4]
5:6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
According to Mark, when the man saw Jesus he ran to Him and fell down before Him. The demon not only recognized who Jesus was, the demon apparently panicked when he saw Him. In Matthew’s account the demon asks, “Have you come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29b) The demon was afraid that Jesus would send them to hell before the appointed time as identified in Scripture (see Isaiah 14:15; Ezekiel 28:19; Revelation 20:10). After Jesus called for the unclean spirit to come out, He asked the demon for his name. The demon replied that his name was ‘Legion’ (a transliteration of the Greek ‘Legiōn’,[5] an indeterminately large number, a legion was also the largest division of troops in the Roman army) for there were many. The demon then pleaded with Jesus not to be sent them out of the country, perhaps desiring to remain in a pagan region. Mark notes that there was a large herd of pigs feeding on nearby hillside. The demon begged Jesus to send them into the pigs, He gave them permission to enter the pigs and they did. The herd that numbered around 2,000 pigs, immediately ran down the steep bank into the water and drowned.
5:14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.
The herdsman responsible for the pigs ran off and told everyone in the city and country. Many came out to see what had happened and found Jesus with the previously-possessed man fully clothed and in his right mind. The crowd undoubtedly realized that they were in the presence of someone great and powerful. They may have been simply overwhelmed (loss of revenue from the pigs dying, demons casted out of a person, etc.) or they knew that their ways were contrary to God’s ways (the fact that they were raising pigs indicates they were not Jewish or at least not compliant to the law) and did not want any further encounters. So they plead with Jesus to leave the region.
5:18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
Jesus and the disciples comply with their wishes and return to the boat. The man who had been cleansed of the many demons begged to go with them. But Jesus said no, that he should return to his friends and family and tell them what God had done for him and how He had mercy on him. The man went away and proclaimed in the Decapolis[6] all that Jesus had done for him and the people were astonished.
Considerations
Many have asked why Jesus allowed the demons to enter the pigs. Some believe that since the pigs are considered unclean animals (see Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8) that it was the only appropriate action, instead of sending the demons into the Abyss (see Luke 8:31) before their time, the unclean spirits were sent into unclean animals. There are a few that believe that there was some form of illicit activity related to the pigs (such as Jews being involved in pig farming) and Jesus exposed their operation. Many also get “hung up” on the issue that so many pigs were killed, that Jesus would never harm an animal like that. As a result they believe this a fictional story. First and foremost, a man’s salvation is far more valuable than any number of pigs. Secondly, we know that Jesus is compassionate, but we also know that He is also a just God (meaning that justice will be pursued, see Psalm 89:14; Romans 12:19; Colossians 3:25; 2 Thessalonians 1:6) and that not being able to do harm is a man-made and erroneous perspective of Jesus. Although it was only after the demons entered the pigs that they all went into the water and drowned, it seems that it was their decision not Jesus’.
Some ask if it was the decision of the demons to kill the pigs, that would mean that they would need another living creature, or several creatures, to occupy as they would not die when the pig died. Which then begs the question was this all a ruse?
We can see why there are so many questions regarding this strange encounter. Most of which can’t be answered without additional information. What we do know is that Jesus knew who He was talking to before asking the demon’s name and He knew what was going to happen long before the demon requested permission to enter the pigs. So what can we learn from this event? Jesus is Lord over all, even over our enemy and that He will do anything to save a sinner from eternal condemnation (including dying Himself). That should bring every believer great joy! Regarding the rest of the details or questions, we probably will need to wait until heaven.
Jesus Heals a Woman and Raises Jairus’ Daughter from the Dead
[Text parallels Matthew 9:18-26 and Luke 8:40-56]
5:21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.
Unlike their last reception, the people on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee gladly received Jesus. Then one of the rulers of the local synagogue approaches and probably to everyone’s astonishment, he fell before Jesus. The man’s name was Jairus, and while at the feet of Jesus, he emotionally pleas with Him to come to his house and heal his daughter by laying His hands on her. Jesus agrees to go with him, as they left the large crowd followed and thronged about Him (pressed in tightly).
5:25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Along the way to Jairus’ home, they encounter a woman that had an ongoing discharge of blood for twelve years. She had seen several physicians and now after spending all that she had, she continued to get worse. She had heard about Jesus, and being desperate she thought that if she got close enough to just touch His garment she would be healed. She did exactly that and she was indeed healed. Jesus knew what happened, yet He wanted to acknowledge the woman and what just took place, so he asked, “Who touched my garments?” His disciples essentially responded, “You have to be kidding, right? Do you see the number of people pressing in on you?” When Jesus turned around and looked at the woman she fell down before Him trembling in fear and explained what she did. Jesus told her that her faith has made her well and to go in peace as she was healed from her twelve-year discharge of blood.
5:35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Mark notes that while Jesus was still talking to the woman, that someone from Jairus’ home came up to him and told him that his daughter was now dead and that he shouldn’t bother the teacher any longer. Jesus heard but told Jairus to not fear, only believe. Jesus brought only Peter, James and John with Him this time. As they came to Jairus’ home, Jesus noted a commotion as many people were weeping and wailing loudly. He asked them why the commotion and weeping as the child is just sleeping, the group just laughed at Him. He then instructs them all to leave the house. Jesus, along with Jairus, his wife (her mother) and the three disciples go upstairs to where the child was. Jesus took the girl’s hand and then said, “Talitha cumi,” an Aramaic phrase translated by Mark as, “Little girl, I say to you arise.” The girl immediately got up and began to walk. Mark records that she was twelve years old. Those watching were overcome with amazement. Jesus told them that no one should know about thIs miracle.[7] He also told them to get her something to eat.
Considerations
Being Unclean for Twelve Years
The woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years would not only have the physical pain of the ailment, she would have had to deal with the fact that according to the law, she was unclean (see Leviticus 15:25-30). For twelve years she would not have been able to participate in any of the festivals, go near the Temple, or touch anyone, as they would be unclean until that evening. This uncleanliness would have made her unwelcomed and very unpopular.[8]
In verse 34 Jesus tells the woman, “Daughter, your faith has made you well…” Jesus is referring to her faith in God, not any ‘faith’ in or of her own. Mankind has no ability to supernaturally heal on their own. But this event does make it clear that there is a connection between man and God that depends on faith. First, we need to believe there is a God. Secondly, we need to know that God delights in keeping His promises and will do as He promised. Thirdly, when we ask for something in prayer (either something He promised in His Word or is in alignment with His will, as determined from His Word), that He will indeed answer the prayer. If we have no faith that He will answer, the prayer has no power. We need to trust God, while it is true that He may not answer prayer in the way we want, without faith nothing will happen.
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[1] Greek word ‘chōran’, can be a reference to a country, region, province, etc. Strong’s Greek 5561.
[2] See Considerations under Matthew 8:28-34 regarding “Demons.”
[3] Strong’s Greek 1288.
[4] See commentary under Luke 8:26-27.
[5] Strong’s Greek 3003.
[6] See commentary under Matthew 4:23-25.
[7] See Considerations under Matthew 9:27-31 regarding “Tell No One.”
[8] See also Considerations under Matthew 9:18-26 "Unclean and Unwanted."