Mark 5:1-20
1 They came to the other side of the sea, into the region of the Gerasenes.
2 When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him.
3 He lived among the tombs; and no one was able to bind him anymore, not even with a chain.
4 Because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces; and no one was strong enough to subdue him.
5 Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and cutting himself with stones.
6 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him;
7 And shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!”
8 For He had already been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”
9 And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he said to Him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”
10 And he begged Him earnestly not to send them out of the region.
11 Now there was a large herd of pigs feeding nearby on the mountain.
12 And the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us into the pigs so that we may enter them.”
13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the pigs; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea.
14 Their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the countryside. And the people came to see what it was that had happened.
15 And then they came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had previously had the “legion”; and they became frightened.
16 Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the pigs.
17 And they began to beg Him to leave their region.
18 And as He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was begging Him that he might accompany Him.
19 And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”
20 And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Casting Out the Legion
A man from the tombs
This is the land of the Gerasenes, on the other side of the Galilee. It’s one of the cities in the Decapolis, meaning “ten cities,” a region inhabited by Gentiles. The presence of swine indicates this. (1) Here, a man possessed by demons is introduced (though in actuality, there are two men; Mark focuses on one). This man lived among the tombs, possessed by a multitude of demons (“legion” is a Roman army regiment consisting about 6,000 soldiers). His condition symbolizes the miserable state of a person turning away from God. (2) His personality was shattered, resulting in him being violent, self-destructive, and hopeless. Upon seeing Jesus, the demons reacted, saying, “What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” Jesus asked, “What is your name?” This was a method used by Jewish exorcists when casting out demons during that time. At the same time, this question aimed to draw out the man’s confession and also to show the disciples the severity of the man’s bondage. The man answered, “Legion,” signifying the multitude of demons within him. Despite his shattered personality, he knew he was not in his rightful state. Confessing one’s current state (sin) is the first step toward liberation. Jesus is asking you, “What is your name?” How will you respond?
Two responses
The people in that region implored Jesus to leave because they had suffered a significant economic loss. About 2,000 pigs drowned. For Jesus it was doubtlessly clear that this man’s life was far more important than the herd of pigs. There also was a spiritual fear. People bound by idolatry avoid the light of God. On the other hand, the man who was freed from demons became sane (regained his senses) and begged Jesus that he might accompany Him. However, Jesus instructed him to go home to his people and testify. This happened in a Gentile region. If he didn’t spread the word, no one in that region would have the opportunity to hear the gospel of the kingdom of God. There certainly are people even in your life, who wouldn’t have the opportunity to hear the gospel, if you don’t speak. Let’s pray and seek what God expects from each of us.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please send me as a messenger of the gospel to my relatives and friends. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.