Recently at a biblestudy, we were confronted with a person who was suffering from many of the symptoms of the demoniac in Mark 5. I felt impressed to share our experience as our world is filled with many people that are tomented in their hearts and minds. I am cautious when I look at a person’s irrational behavior to not jump to any conclusions regarding demonic possession. Howerer, it is completely rational to conclude that demonic oppression abounds. Whether by drugs or alcohol, satanic religions or media, satan remains the prince and power of the air. We know that we are battling not against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers that are spiritual. Our warfare must not be carnal, but spiritual to the pulling down of strongholds. I believe that through the study of God’s word we can be prepared as it is certain that we will continue to be confronted with demonic activity in our journey.
I begin today by offering us a verse by verse exegesis of the passage of Mark 5:1-20. This is followed by engaging questions and answers to stir our thoughts, and I am hopeful you will participate through comments as we study to show ourselves approved unto God.
Exegesis of Mark 5:1-20 (ESV):
Verse 1: “They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.” – Jesus and his disciples traveled across the Sea of Galilee and arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, a predominantly Gentile area. The fact that there are pigs being raised, bought, and sold, tells us the folks living there did not observe Jewish law. This area was likely unreached by Judaism or Christianity.
Verse 2: “And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.” – As soon as Jesus disembarked, he encountered a man who was possessed by an unclean spirit, who dwelled among the burial caves. This man needed help. He was not in his right mind. The struggle within him was caused by a legion of demons. To say he had issues is an understatement.
Verse 3: “He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain,” – The possessed man lived among the burial caves and exhibited great strength, rendering any attempt to restrain him futile. I think about folks whose lives are defined by death. Dead relationships and hopeless futures. Nothing inside them is alive. No Holy Spirit, no life, no real love, just death and darkness. You can see it in there eyes. No joy, no peace, no hope. Thank God Jesus stepped out of the boat.
Verse 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.” – Despite previous efforts to restrain him with shackles and chains, the possessed man possessed supernatural strength, rendering all attempts futile. This man has problems that society cannot fix. He has issues that the community cannot control. He is beyond human help. I have great news for him, Jesus has came to town. The chains can be broken by Jesus. He can be free from the legion of problems he has.
Verse 5: “Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.” – The possessed man lived a tormented existence, crying out day and night and engaging in self-harm by cutting himself with stones. This is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. This poor man is hurting so badly and nobody wants anything to do with him. All the world can do is lock him up and throw him in a cave. Sound familiar? As much as 50 percent of our jails are filled with people who are oppressed by addiction or metal illness. I wonder how many Jesus loves? I wonder how many the church loves? I wonder if I love them? Is it enough to get out of the boat?
Verse 6: “And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him.” – Despite his affliction, the man recognized Jesus from a distance, ran to him, and fell down before him. I believe this man dragged his legion of demons to Jesus. I don’t believe the demons dragged the man. He can to Jesus in spite of his problems. He cam to Jesus with his problems. This dear man needs help.
Verse 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.'” – The unclean spirit within the man recognized Jesus’ authority and pleaded not to be tormented, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of the Most High God. One the demonic got legion to Christ, legion acknowledges Jesus. As with all accounts of the Lord with demons and with Satan, He demonstrated authority over them. They always acknowledge Christ.
Verse 8: “For he was saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!'” – Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to leave the man. Jesus did not hesitate to confront the demons. He did not cower or back off. He commanded the demons to come out. He is still doing that today by the Holy Spirit.
Verse 9: “And Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, ‘My name is Legion, for we are many.'” – Jesus inquired about the identity of the unclean spirit, and it responded by declaring itself to be Legion, indicating the presence of many demons. By legion expressing a singular name, we conclude that he was head demon on charge. He was the biggest problem the man has. He has many demons, but one who is predominant. This is so often the case when we are dealing with those who are tormented without Christ. Typically, there is one overarching issue among many.
Verse 10: “And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country.” – The demons pleaded with Jesus not to cast them out of the region. When confronted by the Lord they knew that they had to leave this man. They begin to try and negotiate with Jesus. Just like Satan they are trying to hold onto as much control as possible. This reminds me of Pharoah who tells Moses you can go, but…… then time after time he says leave this or that behind. The devil will hold onto whatever we allow him. He can’t have your soul? Well, he’ll destroy your testimony. We can search our hearts and find things that we haven’t surrendered. We can find strongholds to break. To many of us I can say one word, food, or maybe money, ouch, I’ll stop. The devil will hang on to the most he can.
Verse 11: “Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside,” – In the vicinity, there was a large herd of pigs. Remember, these are unclean animals. Devout Jews would not be involved with pigs. However, this was acceptable to these folks. When a person is possessed or oppressed he is not concerned with the unclean.
Verse 12: “and they begged him, saying, ‘Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.'” – The demons requested to be allowed to enter the nearby herd of pigs. They will feel right at home with the swine. I mean isn’t that the towns livelihood? Pig farmers? And so the demons request to be cast into the towns money source.
Verse 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.” – Jesus granted their request, and the demons left the man and entered the pigs, causing them to stampede into the sea and drown. From this passage we conclude that animals will not be possessed. These pigs committed suicide. Everything in God’s creation was created to glorify God and do. The only creatures who refuse to glorify God? Humans.
Verse 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.” – The herdsmen who witnessed the event fled and spread the news throughout the city and countryside, prompting others to come and see what had occurred. When Jesus delivers the demoniac it causes a great stir. No one in this town would be ignorant of this deliverance.
Verse 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.” – When the people arrived, they saw the formerly demon-possessed man sitting calmly, fully clothed, and in his right mind, which astonished and frightened them. This is my prayer for the person who we were confronted with recently. Lord, please deliver him and let us see him clothed and in his right mind.
Verse 16: “And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs.” – Those who witnessed the event recounted to others what had transpired concerning the demon-possessed man and the pigs. The reason Jesus delivers the man was not only for him, but the whole region.
Verse 17: “And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.” – Instead of rejoicing over the miraculous healing, the people begged Jesus to leave their region, out of fear or discomfort over the supernatural events that had occurred. Also, Jesus is responsible for the drowning of 2000 pigs, maybe their entire economy.
Verse 18: “As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him.” – The healed man desired to accompany Jesus, likely out of gratitude and a desire to follow him. He who has been delivered wants to be near the deliverer. Jesus has saved him and now he wants to worship the Lord. But, the Lord has bigger plans for his life.
Verse 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.'” – However, Jesus instructed the man to return to his home and share with his friends and community the great things that the Lord had done for him and the mercy he had received. Confession is made unto salvation. Has the Lord delivered you from anything? Did you tell others?
Verse 20: “And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.” – The man obeyed Jesus’ command and began proclaiming throughout the Decapolis (a region of ten cities) the miraculous work that Jesus had done for him, leading to widespread amazement and wonder. Later in the study we will look at the eternal impact this man had on his region.
Now, let’s go a little deeper into this event.
Encounter with the Demon-Possessed Man
Question: What circumstances surrounded Jesus’ encounter with the demon-possessed man?
Jesus and his disciples arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, where they encountered a man possessed by an unclean spirit (Mark 5:1-2).
Recognizing the Need for Deliverance
Question: How did the demon-possessed man’s condition manifest?
The man lived among the tombs, displayed immense strength, cried out incessantly, and harmed himself (Mark 5:3-5).
Acknowledging Jesus’ Authority
Question: How did the demons respond to Jesus’ presence?
The unclean spirit within the man recognized Jesus’ authority as the Son of the Most High God and pleaded not to be tormented (Mark 5:6-7).
The Power of Jesus’ Command
Question: How did Jesus confront the unclean spirit?
Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man (Mark 5:8).
Request Granted: Entering the Pigs
Question: What did the demons request of Jesus?
The demons requested to be allowed to enter a nearby herd of pigs (Mark 5:9).
Witnessing Miraculous Transformation
Question: How did the people react to the healing of the demon-possessed man?
They saw the man sitting calmly, clothed, and in his right mind, which astonished and frightened them (Mark 5:15).
Responding in Fear
Question: How did the people respond to Jesus’ presence after the healing?
Instead of rejoicing, they begged Jesus to leave their region (Mark 5:17).
Commission to Share the Good News
Question: What instruction did Jesus give to the healed man?
Jesus instructed him to go home and share with his friends how much the Lord had done for him and how he had received mercy (Mark 5:19).
Proclaiming God’s Work
Question: How did the healed man respond to Jesus’ command?
He went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him (Mark 5:20).
Witnessing the Impact of Testimony
Question: Did Jesus see the results of the healed man’s testimony when he returned to the region later in his ministry?
Yes, the Gospel of Mark recounts that upon Jesus’ return to the region of the Decapolis, a large crowd gathered around him, bringing to him those who were sick and afflicted. This demonstrates the profound impact of the healed man’s testimony, as his proclamation of Jesus’ miraculous work had evidently spread throughout the region (Mark 7:31-37). His testimony caused many to seek Christ upon his return to the region.
Just as the person who came to the bible study, I believe he was seeking deliverance. Jesus’ statement “This kind cannot go out but by prayer and fasting” is found in Matthew 17:21 (KJV) and Mark 9:29 (KJV), in the context of Jesus casting out a demon from a boy. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon, and Jesus explained that some challenges require not only prayer but also fasting to overcome. This verse underscores the importance of spiritual discipline and dependence on God’s power in facing difficult situations. We are prayerful and hopeful as we continue to minister to those who are tormented and believe the person at our bible study can become a powerful witness for the Lord.
The encounter with the demon-possessed man not only led to his personal healing and restoration but also sparked a ripple effect of transformation in the community. Through the power of testimony and proclamation, the miraculous work of Jesus spread, drawing crowds and bringing hope and healing to many. When we encounter folks with a legion of problems will we lead them patiently to Christ without fear of confronting demonic activity? Will we proclaim truth in the face of this spiritual warfare? Our goal remains to reach lost tormented souls. May we be encouraged to share our own stories of God works in our lives, knowing that they have the power to inspire faith and bring about transformation in the lives of others.