Jesus uniquely commands the healed demoniac to "go tell" his story, reversing his typical pattern of silencing those he heals throughout Mark's Gospel.
Mark 5
The Gerasene Demoniac
1They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
2When he had come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit met him out of the tombs.
3He lived in the tombs. Nobody could bind him any more, not even with chains,
4because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces. Nobody had the strength to tame him.
5Always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him,
7and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don’t torment me.”
8For he said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”
9He asked him, “What is your name?” He said to him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”
10He begged him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
11Now on the mountainside there was a great herd of pigs feeding.
12All the demons begged him, saying, “Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them.”
13At once Jesus gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out and entered into the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea.
14Those who fed the pigs fled, and told it in the city and in the country. The people came to see what it was that had happened.
15They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid.
16Those who saw it declared to them what happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs.
17They began to beg him to depart from their region.
18As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him.
19He didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he had mercy on you.”
20He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled.
Jairus' Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage
21When Jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea.
22Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet
23and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.”
24He went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides.
25A certain woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years,
26and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse,
27having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothes.
28For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.”
29Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
30Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31His disciples said to him, “You see the multitude pressing against you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’”
32He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
33But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
35While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?”
36But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.”
37He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
38He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing.
39When he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.”
40They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying.
41Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi!” which means, being interpreted, “Girl, I tell you, get up!”
42Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement.
43He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat.
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Theme
Mark 5 presents three powerful demonstrations of Jesus' authority over the forces that destroy human life. Jesus delivers a demon-possessed man in Gentile territory, showing his power extends beyond Jewish boundaries, then returns to heal both a synagogue ruler's dying daughter and a chronically ill woman who touches his garment. These miracles reveal Jesus' compassion for the marginalized and his ability to restore life, whether from spiritual bondage, social isolation, or physical death.
Context
Following the calming of the storm in chapter 4, this chapter continues Mark's demonstration of Jesus' divine authority, now extending to the spiritual realm and ultimate enemy of death.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 The Tormented Demoniac Jesus encounters a man possessed by many demons living among the tombs, completely beyond human control.
- 6-13 Legion Cast Out The demons recognize Jesus' authority and are cast into a herd of pigs that rush into the sea.
- 14-20 Reactions to Deliverance The townspeople fear Jesus and ask him to leave, while the healed man becomes a witness in the Decapolis.
- 21-24 Jairus' Desperate Plea A synagogue ruler falls at Jesus' feet, begging him to heal his dying daughter.
- 25-34 The Woman's Secret Touch A woman with chronic bleeding is healed by touching Jesus' garment and is commended for her faith.
- 35-43 Raising the Dead Despite news of the girl's death, Jesus raises her to life, demonstrating his power over death itself.
The Gerasene Demoniac
5:1–5:20 narrative narration triumphant
Jesus delivers a demon-possessed man by casting out a legion of unclean spirits, demonstrating his authority over evil and commissioning the healed man to witness to his community.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely commands the healed demoniac to "go tell" his story, reversing his typical pattern of silencing those he heals throughout Mark's Gospel.
Jairus' Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage
5:21–5:43 narrative narration hopeful
Jesus heals a woman with chronic bleeding and raises Jairus' daughter from the dead, demonstrating the power of faith and his authority over sickness and death.
person_contrast
Mark uniquely sandwiches two healing narratives where both a synagogue ruler and an unclean woman demonstrate identical faith through desperate physical contact with Jesus.
Insights
Mark uniquely sandwiches two healing narratives where both a synagogue ruler and an unclean woman demonstrate identical faith through desperate physical contact with Jesus.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Mark 5:1 2 references
Mark 5:3 1 reference
Mark 5:4 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 8:29 Lexical
For Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He…
Matthew 5:13 Lexical
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for no…
2 Timothy 1:16 Lexical
May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
Mark 5:5 1 reference
Mark 5:7 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 8:28 Lexical
When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What do I have to do with you, Je…
Matthew 8:29 Lexical
Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us bef…
Matthew 21:9 Lexical
The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is…
Luke 1:32 Lexical
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
Matthew 27:50 Lexical
Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.
Mark 5:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 4:36 Lexical
Amazement came on all and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and powe…
Luke 11:24 Lexical
The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says,…
Matthew 12:43 Lexical
“When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.
Luke 8:29 Lexical
For Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He…
Mark 1:26 Lexical
The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
Mark 5:9 1 reference
Mark 5:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 8:30 Lexical
Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them.
Luke 8:32 Lexical
Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter i…
Luke 8:33 Lexical
The demons came out of the man and entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were…
Matthew 8:31 Lexical
The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.”
Luke 15:15 Lexical
He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
Mark 5:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 8:33 Lexical
The demons came out of the man and entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were…
Matthew 8:32 Lexical
He said to them, “Go!” They came out and went into the herd of pigs; and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the…
Luke 8:32 Lexical
Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter i…
Mark 9:25 Lexical
When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf…
Mark 1:26 Lexical
The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
Mark 5:14 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 8:34 Lexical
When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.
Matthew 8:33 Lexical
Those who fed them fled and went away into the city and told everything, including what happened to those who were posse…
Luke 15:15 Lexical
He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
Mark 5:15 1 reference
Mark 5:16 2 references
Mark 5:19 1 reference
Mark 5:20 1 reference
Mark 5:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 4:1 Lexical
Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea…
Matthew 13:2 Lexical
Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.
Mark 2:13 Lexical
He went out again by the seaside. All the multitude came to him, and he taught them.
John 6:17 Lexical
They entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
Matthew 14:22 Lexical
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitud…
Mark 5:22 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 8:41 Lexical
Behold, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come int…
Revelation 1:17 Lexical
When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the fir…
John 11:32 Lexical
Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you would h…
Mark 5:24 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 6:2 Lexical
A great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he did on those who were sick.
Matthew 4:25 Lexical
Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 8:1 Lexical
When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
Matthew 20:29 Lexical
As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
Matthew 19:2 Lexical
Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
Mark 5:25 2 references
Mark 5:26 1 reference
Mark 5:27 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 8:44 Lexical
came behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak. Immediately the flow of her blood stopped.
Matthew 9:20 Lexical
Behold, a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
Acts 14:14 Lexical
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes and sprang into the multitude, crying out…
Mark 5:28 2 references
Mark 5:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 6:19 Lexical
All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out of him and healed them all.
Matthew 9:21 Lexical
for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.”
Mark 6:54 Lexical
When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him,
Mark 2:8 Lexical
Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason th…
Matthew 21:8 Lexical
A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Mark 5:33 2 references
Mark 5:34 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 10:52 Lexical
Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on…
Luke 7:50 Lexical
He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Luke 8:48 Lexical
He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Mark 5:35 1 reference
Mark 5:37 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 8:51 Lexical
When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and h…
Matthew 10:2 Lexical
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the so…
Luke 6:14 Lexical
Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
Matthew 17:1 Lexical
After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by them…
Luke 9:28 Lexical
About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.
Mark 5:38 1 reference
Mark 5:39 1 reference
Mark 5:40 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 2:13 Lexical
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the youn…
Matthew 2:20 Lexical
“Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s l…
Matthew 2:21 Lexical
He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Matthew 2:14 Lexical
He arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt,
Mark 5:41 1 reference
Mark 5:42 1 reference
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