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Texts -- Mark 5:1-38 (NET)

Context
Healing of a Demoniac
5:1 So they came to the other side of the lake , to the region of the Gerasenes . 5:2 Just as Jesus was getting out of the boat , a man with an unclean spirit came from the tombs and met him . 5:3 He lived lived among the tombs , and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain . 5:4 For his hands and feet had often been bound with chains and shackles , but he had torn the chains apart and broken the shackles in pieces. No one was strong enough to subdue him . 5:5 Each night and every day among the tombs and in the mountains , he would cry out and cut himself with stones . 5:6 When he saw Jesus from a distance , he ran and bowed down before him . 5:7 Then he cried out with a loud voice , “Leave me alone, Jesus , Son of the Most High God ! I implore you by God – do not torment me !” 5:8 (For Jesus had said to him , “Come out of that man , you unclean spirit !”) 5:9 Jesus asked him , “What is your name ?” And he said , “My name is Legion , for we are many .” 5:10 He begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of the region . 5:11 There on the hillside , a great herd of pigs was feeding . 5:12 And the demonic spirits begged him , “Send us into the pigs . Let us enter them .” 5:13 Jesus gave them permission . So the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs . Then the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake , and about two thousand were drowned in the lake . 5:14 Now the herdsmen ran off and spread the news in the town and countryside , and the people went out to see what had happened . 5:15 They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind – the one who had the “Legion ”– and they were afraid . 5:16 Those who had seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man reported it, and they also told about the pigs . 5:17 Then they asked Jesus to leave their region . 5:18 As he was getting into the boat the man who had been demon-possessed asked if he could go with him . 5:19 But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead , he said to him , “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you , that he had mercy on you .” 5:20 So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him , and all were amazed .
Restoration and Healing
5:21 When Jesus had crossed again in a boat to the other side , a large crowd gathered around him , and he was by the sea . 5:22 Then one of the synagogue rulers , named Jairus , came up , and when he saw Jesus , he fell at his feet . 5:23 He asked him urgently , “My little daughter is near death . Come and lay your hands on her so that she may be healed and live .” 5:24 Jesus went with him , and a large crowd followed and pressed around him . 5:25 Now a woman was there who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years . 5:26 She had endured a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all that she had . Yet instead of getting better , she grew worse . 5:27 When she heard about Jesus , she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak , 5:28 for she kept saying , “If only I touch his clothes , I will be healed .” 5:29 At once the bleeding stopped , and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease . 5:30 Jesus knew at once that power had gone out from him . He turned around in the crowd and said , “Who touched my clothes ?” 5:31 His disciples said to him , “You see the crowd pressing against you and you say , ‘Who touched me ?’” 5:32 But he looked around to see who had done it . 5:33 Then the woman , with fear and trembling , knowing what had happened to her , came and fell down before him and told him the whole truth . 5:34 He said to her , “Daughter , your faith has made you well . Go in peace , and be healed of your disease .” 5:35 While he was still speaking , people came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying , “Your daughter has died . Why trouble the teacher any longer ?” 5:36 But Jesus , paying no attention to what was said , told the synagogue ruler , “Do not be afraid ; just believe .” 5:37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter , James , and John , the brother of James . 5:38 They came to the house of the synagogue ruler where he saw noisy confusion and people weeping and wailing loudly .

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • JESUS CHRIST, 4C1

    [isbe] JESUS CHRIST, 4C1 - C. THE GALILEAN MINISTRY AND VISITS TO THE FEASTS 1. The Scene: Galilee was divided into upper Galilee and lower Galilee. It has already been remarked that upper Galilee was inhabited by a mixed populatio...

  • Jesus, The Christ

    [nave] JESUS, THE CHRIST. Index of Sub-topics History of; Miscellaneous Facts Concerning; Unclassified Scriptures Relating to; Ascension of; Atonement by; Attributes of; Compassion of; Confessing; Creator; Death of; Design of His...

  • Miracles

    [nave] MIRACLES. Index of Sub-topics Catalog of, and Supernatural Events, Of Jesus, in Chronological Order, Of the Disciples of Jesus; Convincing Effect of; Design of; Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit; Miscellany of Minor Sub-...

  • MARK, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO, 2

    [isbe] MARK, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO, 2 - VI. Sources and Integrity. We have seen that, according to the testimony of the Fathers, Peter's preaching and teaching are at least the main source, and that many features of the Gospel su...

  • Gadarenes

    [ebd] the inhabitants of Gadara, in Revised Version "Gerasenes" (Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26, 37). In Matt. 8:28 they are called Gergesenes, Revised Version "Gadarenes."
    [nave] GADARENES, called also Gergesenes. Jesus visits and works miracles among, but is rejected, Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-19.

  • Devil

    [ebd] (Gr. diabolos), a slanderer, the arch-enemy of man's spiritual interest (Job 1:6; Rev. 2:10; Zech. 3:1). He is called also "the accuser of the brethen" (Rev. 12:10). In Lev. 17:7 the word "devil" is the translation of the He...

  • Gergesa

    [ebd] =Gerasa, identified with the modern Khersa, "over against Galilee," close to the lake. This was probably the scene of the miracle, Mark 5:1-20, etc. "From the base of the great plateau of Bashan, 2,000 feet or more overhead,...

  • Jairus

    [ebd] a ruler of the synagogue at Capernaum, whose only daughter Jesus restored to life (Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41). Entering into the chamber of death, accompanied by Peter and James and John and the father and mother of the maiden, h...
    [smith] (whom God enlightens). A ruler of a synagogue, probably in some town near the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. (Matthew 9:18; Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41) (A.D. 28.) (Esther 11:2) [JAIR, 3]
    [nave] JAIRUS A ruler of the synagogue in Capernaum, Matt. 9:18. Daughter of, restored to life, Matt. 9:18, 23-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56.

  • Demons

    [nave] DEMONS Worship of, Lev. 17:7; Deut. 32:17; 2 Chr. 11:15; Psa. 106:37; Matt. 4:9; Luke 4:7; 1 Cor. 10:20, 21; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 13:4. Worship of, forbidden, Lev. 17:7; Zech. 13:2; Rev. 9:20. Possession by, instances of: Saul...

  • JAIRUS (2)

    [isbe] JAIRUS (2) - ja'-i-rus, ja-i'-rus (Iaeiros): A ruler in a synagogue near Capernaum whose only daughter, aged about 12 years, was raised from the dead by Jesus (Mt 9:18-26; Mk 5:22-43; Lk 8:41-56). The accounts of the miracle...

  • DEMONIACS

    [smith] This word is frequently used in the New Testament, and applied to persons suffering under the possession of a demon or evil spirit, such possession generally showing itself visibly in bodily disease or mental derangement. It ...

  • Swine

    [isbe] SWINE - swin (chazir; compare Arabic khinzir; hus, Septuagint and New Testament; compare Greek sus, and Latin sus; adjective hueios, as a substantive, the Septuagint; choiros, Septuagint and New Testament): In both ancient a...
    [smith] (Heb. chazir). The flesh of swine was forbidden as food by the Levitical law, (Leviticus 11:7; 14:8) the abhorrence which the Jews as a nation had of it may be inferred from (Isaiah 65:4) and 2 Macc 6:18,19. No other reason f...
    [nave] SWINE Forbidden as food, Lev. 11:7; Deut. 14:8. Used for food, Isa. 65:4; 66:17; for sacrifice, Isa. 66:3. Wild boar, Psa. 80:13. Jewels in the nose of, Prov. 11:22. Viciousness of, Matt. 7:6. Jesus sends devils into, M...

  • Daemoniac

    [ebd] one "possessed with a devil." In the days of our Lord and his apostles, evil spirits, "daemons," were mysteriously permitted by God to exercise an influence both over the souls and bodies of men, inflicting dumbness (Matt. 9...

  • Bleeding, Subject to

    [nave] BLEEDING, SUBJECT TO Menstruation, Lev. 15:19; Matt. 9:20; Luke 8:43. A woman suffers twelve years, Mark 5:25-29. See: Issue of Blood; Menstruation.

  • Legion

    [ebd] a regiment of the Roman army, the number of men composing which differed at different times. It originally consisted of three thousand men, but in the time of Christ consisted of six thousand, exclusive of horsemen, who were...
    [smith] the chief subdivision of the Roman army, containing about 6000 infantry, with a contingent of cavalry. The term does not occur in the Bible in its primary sense, but appears to have been adopted in order to express any large ...
    [nave] LEGION Of angels, Matt. 26:53. Devils, Mark 5:9, 15.

  • James

    [ebd] (1.) The son of Zebedee and Salome; an elder brother of John the apostle. He was one of the twelve. He was by trade a fisherman, in partnership with Peter (Matt. 20:20; 27:56). With John and Peter he was present at the trans...
    [isbe] JAMES - jamz (Iacobos): English form of Jacob, and the name of 3 New Testament men of note: (1) The Son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve Apostles (ho tou Zebedaiou): A) The Son of Zebedee: I. In the New Testament. 1. Family Rel...
    [nave] JAMES 1. An apostle. Son of Zebedee and Salome, Matt. 4:21; 27:56. See: Salome. Brother of John, and a fisherman, Luke 5:10. Called to be an apostle, Matt. 4:21, 22; 10:2; Mark 1:19, 20; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13. Surnamed Bo...

  • Children

    [nave] CHILDREN In answer to prayer: To Abraham, Gen. 15:2-5, with Gen. 21:1, 2; Isaac, Gen. 25:21; Leah, Gen. 30:17-22; Rachel, Gen. 30:22-24; Haah, 1 Sam. 1:9-20; Zacharias, Luke 1:13. Treatment of, at birth, Ezek. 16:4-6; Luke ...

  • Testimony

    [nave] TESTIMONY. Legal See: Evidence; Witnesses. Ark of, See: Ark. Religious 1 Chr. 16:8, 9; Psa. 9:11; Psa. 18:49; Psa. 26:6, 7; Psa. 119:27,172; Psa. 145:11, 12; Isa. 12:4-6; Isa. 32:4; Isa. 43:10 Isa. 44:8. Isa. 45:24; Jer...

  • PLAGUE

    [ebd] a "stroke" of affliction, or disease. Sent as a divine chastisement (Num. 11:33; 14:37; 16:46-49; 2 Sam. 24:21). Painful afflictions or diseases, (Lev. 13:3, 5, 30; 1 Kings 8:37), or severe calamity (Mark 5:29; Luke 7:21), o...
    [isbe] PLAGUE - plag (negha`, makkah, maggephah; mastix, plege): This word which occurs more than 120 times is applied, like pestilence, to such sudden outbursts of disease as are regarded in the light of divine visitations. It is ...

  • SYNAGOGUE

    [ebd] (Gr. sunagoge, i.e., "an assembly"), found only once in the Authorized Version of Ps. 74:8, where the margin of Revised Version has "places of assembly," which is probably correct; for while the origin of synagogues is unkno...
    [isbe] SYNAGOGUE - sin'-a-gog: 1. Name 2. Origin 3. Spread of Synagogues 4. The Building (1) The Site (2) The Structure (3) The Furniture 5. The Officials (1) The Elders (2) The Ruler (3) The Servant (or Servants) (4) Delegate of t...
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Arts

Hymns

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  • [Mar 5:2] Sin, Like A Venomous Disease
  • [Mar 5:19] No Other Story

Questions

  • The Saviour's language in Mark 5:39 was as though he had used the familiar figure "she hath fallen asleep" --the same figure that is frequently employed in the Scriptures in describing death as sleep. (See Acts 7:60; I Cor. 1...
  • There is a true and biblical doctrine of kenosis, but the Greek used by Paul in Philippians 2:7 has been wrenched out of its New Testament context to make it mean what it does not. It does not mean that Christ divested Himsel...

Sermon Illustrations

What Is Your Style of Evangelism?; How Jesus Interacted With People; General; Unclean Spirits; Expulsion of demons; What is a Christian?

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • This chapter concludes the regulations on uncleanness (chs. 11-15)."The uncleanness laws start with uncleanness that is permanent: that associated with various animals and food (ch. 11). Then they deal with the uncleanness of...
  • We can understand why Mordecai reacted to Haman's decree so strongly (v. 1). Undoubtedly he felt personally responsible for this decree (cf. 3:2-5). However we should not interpret Mordecai's actions in verse 1 as a sign of g...
  • Whereas the previous verses have focused on the Antichrist, those in this pericope concern Israel. Here we learn that this "end time"will definitely be a time of intense persecution of Jews. This section constitutes the clima...
  • The central theme of this incident is Jesus' authority over evil spirits.8:28 Gadara was the regional capital of the Decapolis area that lay southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Its population was strongly Gentile. This may accou...
  • 9:18-19 This incident evidently happened shortly after Jesus and His disciples returned from Gadara on the east side of the lake (cf. Mark 5:21-22; Luke 8:40-41). The name of this Capernium synagogue ruler was Jairus (Mark 5:...
  • The Transfiguration confirmed three important facts. First, it confirmed to the disciples that the kingdom was indeed future. Second, it confirmed to them that Jesus was indeed the divine Messiah. Third, it confirmed to them ...
  • I. Introduction 1:1-13A. The title of the book 1:1B. Jesus' preparation for ministry 1:2-131. The ministry of John the Baptist 1:2-82. The baptism of Jesus 1:9-113. The temptation of Jesus 1:12-13II. The Servant's early Galil...
  • Mark may have intended this sentence to introduce the ministry of John the Baptist since that is what follows immediately. It could also refer to the inception of Jesus' public ministry and therefore be a title of the Gospel'...
  • Mark omitted Jesus' year of early Judean ministry (John 1:15-4:42), as did the other Synoptic evangelists. He began his account of Jesus' ministry of service in Galilee, northern Israel (1:14-6:6a). Because of increasing oppo...
  • 1:21 Capernaum became Jesus' base of ministry in Galilee (cf. Luke 4:16-31). It stood on the Sea of Galilee's northwest shore and was the hub of the most populous district in Galilee. Archaeologists have done extensive restor...
  • The call of Levi as one of Jesus' disciples was the setting for the second instance of opposition from the religious leaders that Mark recorded in this section.2:13 "Again"(Gr. palin) identifies this incident as a different o...
  • The following incident demonstrated Jesus' sovereign authority over the Sabbath. This is the last in this series of conflict accounts. It provides the climax in this section of Mark's narrative.3:1-2 This event happened on a ...
  • There are some structural similarities between 1:14-3:6 and 3:7-6:6a. The beginnings and endings of these two sections are similar. The first section describes Jesus' ministry in Galilee before the religious leaders determine...
  • This pericope introduces Jesus' continuing ministry in Galilee following the religious leaders' decision to kill Him (cf. 1:14-15; 2:13). It provides much more detail than the parallel account in Matthew.3:7-8 The sea to whic...
  • Jesus' selection of 12 disciples constituted an important advance in His ministry. These men would be the primary beneficiaries of His training for leadership to carry out His mission. The plot to take His life made the train...
  • Mark again returned to the opposition theme (cf. 2:1-3:6). He directed his readers back and forth between Jesus' acceptance on a superficial level by the multitudes, His disciples' growing commitment to Him, and the increasin...
  • In spite of demonstrations of supernatural power, the multitudes continued to miss seeing who Jesus really was. This section presents more evidence of Jesus' identity (4:35-5:43) and the failure of those who knew Him best to ...
  • There are four miracles in this section. Jesus authenticated His words (vv. 1-34) with His works (4:35-5:43). He demonstrated power over nature, demon possession, illness, and death....
  • Many unique features of Mark's narrative indicate that it came from an eyewitness account, probably Peter. These include mention of "that day"(v. 35), "as He [Jesus] was"and the other boats (v. 36), the stern and the cushion ...
  • Even though Mark had already reported that Jesus had exorcized many demons, this case was extraordinary.5:1 Mark and Luke called this area the country of the Gerasenes, but Matthew called it the country of the Gadarenes. Gerg...
  • This is one of the sections of Mark's Gospel that has a chiastic structure (cf. 3:22-30; 6:14-29; 11:15-19).A The appeal of Jairus for his daughter 5:21-24B The healing of the woman with the hemorrhage 5:25-34A' The raising o...
  • Even though Jesus gave ample evidence that He was more than a mere man (4:35-5:43) those who knew Him best on the physical plane still refused to believe in Him (6:1-6a). This refusal led Jesus to turn increasingly from the m...
  • The increasing hostility of Israel's religious leaders and the rejection of the multitudes (3:7-6:6a) led Jesus to concentrate on training His disciples increasingly. This section of Mark's Gospel shows how Jesus did that. Wh...
  • Mark was the only evangelist to record this miracle. He apparently included it in his Gospel because it is another instance of Jesus healing a Gentile. This particular miracle is also significant because it prefigured Jesus o...
  • Mark is the only evangelist who recorded this miracle. It corresponds to the healing of the deaf man with the speech impediment (7:31-36), the only other miracle that Mark alone recorded. This is the only miracle in Mark that...
  • This is the last exorcism that Mark recorded. His narration of this story includes more detail than either Matthew's or Luke's. The disciples' lack of glory in this story contrasts with Jesus' glory in the Transfiguration.9:1...
  • This incident is the first part of another of Mark's interrupted stories (cf. 3:20-35; 5:21-43; 6:7-31). Its structure provides the key to its interpretation. First, Jesus cursed the fig tree. Then He cleansed the temple. Fin...
  • This is another section of the Gospel that has a chiastic or "sandwich"structure (cf. 3:20-35; 5:21-43; 6:7-31; 11:12-26; 14:27-52). Mark's account of the conspiracy to kill Jesus (vv. 1-2, 10-11) surrounds Jesus' anointing i...
  • Adams, J. McKee. Biblical Backgrounds. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1965.Alexander, Joseph Addison. The Gospel According to Mark. 1881. Reprint ed. London: Banner of Truth, 1960.Alexander, William M. Demonic Possession in the N...
  • The raging of this demoniac was even worse than the raging of the waters of Galilee (cf. Ps. 65:7). Demonic power was evident in the Hellenistic world of Luke's original readers. The fact that this incident happened in predom...
  • The writer of this Gospel did not identify himself as such in the text. This is true of all the Gospel evangelists. Nevertheless there is evidence within this Gospel as well as in the writings of the church fathers that the w...
  • The first miracle that Jesus performed, in His public ministry and in John's Gospel, was semi-public. Apparently only Jesus' disciples, the servants present, and Jesus' mother understood what had happened.2:1 The third day ev...
  • 9:36 The site of Joppa (modern Yafo, a suburb of Tel Aviv) was on the Mediterranean coast 10 miles west and a little north of Lydda. It was the ancient seaport for Jerusalem (cf. 2 Chron. 2:16; Jon. 1:3). Tabitha (lit. "Gazel...
  • Luke devoted more space to Paul's evangelizing in Philippi than he did to the apostle's activities in any other city on the second and third journeys even though Paul was there only briefly. It was the first European city in ...
  • 19:8 Paul followed his standard procedure of preaching to the Jews in the synagogue at Ephesus as long as possible. Here the Jews were more tolerant than they had been in some other towns that Paul had evangelized, and he was...
  • A. A loyal group of women accompanied Jesus and served Him on His ministry tours (Luke 8:1-3; Matt. 27:55; Mark 15:41).B. In contrast to normal custom and rabbinic standards, Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman and revealed to...
  • Peter now reminded his readers of the consequences of Jesus' response to unjustified persecution. He did so to strengthen their resolve to rededicate themselves to follow God's will wholeheartedly and confidently. He also wan...
  • The final three bowl judgments all have political consequences.16:12 The problem that this judgment poses for earth-dwellers is not a result of the judgment itself but its consequences, namely, war. It does not inflict a plag...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • Mark 1-9
  • "And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2. And when He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the combs a man with an unclean spirit, 3. Who had his dwelling ...
  • There seems to be intended a distinction between he besought,' in Mark 5:10, and they besought,' in Mark 5:12. Whether we are to suppose that, in the latter case, the man's voice was used or no, the second request was more pl...
  • He that had been possessed with the devil prayed Jesus that he might be with Him. 19. 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.'--M...
  • And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet, 23. And besought Him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray Thee, come a...
  • And a certain woman… 27. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment. 28. For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.'--Mark 5:25, 27, 28.IN all the narratives of th...
  • If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole. Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole.'--Mark 5:28, 34.
  • And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing.'--Mark 5:32.THIS Gospel of Mark is full of little touches that speak an eye-witness who had the gift of noting and reproducing vividly small details which make a ...
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