The Gadarene Demoniac Mark 5:1-20

Thoughts From Mark 5:1-20.

After Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, He and His disciples came to the other side of the sea. A man with an “unclean spirit” met them. Mark and Luke refer to one man, while Matthew mentions two. Apparently, one man was the spokesman for the two men. We will focus on this man who was the spokesman.

This man with unclean spirits had great power. He had been bound with chains and other fetters but the chains had been broken and the fetters rent in pieces. Satanic power is not to be toyed with; only the blood of Jesus is sufficient to win the victory over this enemy.

When Jesus met this man, He spoke to the demons in him. Jesus said, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.” In response, the man the man cried out “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” It is astonishing that the demons knew the identity of Jesus.

Then, Jesus asked a question, “What is your name?” The man responded by saying, “My name is Legion: for we are many.” Although the text does not say that Jesus knew this already, it appears to me that He did. He just drew the answer out of the man.

Next, the man began imploring Jesus not to send him out of the country. There was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. The demons asked Jesus to “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” There were about 2000 swine. Jesus gave the demons permission to enter the swine. They entered the swine and the herd rushed down a deep bank into the sea and drowned.

A crowd gathered and wanted Jesus to leave the area. Many the people valued the swine more than the deliverance of the man with the unclean spirit. When Jesus was getting into the boat to leave, the man who had been delivered wanted to leave with Him. However, Jesus told him to go home and report what had happened to his people. The delivered man told the news far and wide, the news of what great things Jesus had done.

Very strikingly both the power of Christ and the power of Satan are portrayed. Satan and his demons have tremendous, supernatural power. Satan’s knowledge appears to be greater than human knowledge. However, the knowledge and power of Christ are infinitely greater than Satan’s. Jesus is our great deliverer!

George M. Flattery, Ed.D., is the founder of Global University and Network211.