Albert Barnes Commentary Mark 5
Albert Barnes Commentary
Mark 5
Albert Barnes Commentary
Mark 5
"And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped him;" — Mark 5:6 (ASV)
Worshipped him. Bowed down before him; rendered him homage. This was an acknowledgment of his power, and of his control over fallen spirits.
"And he asked him, What is thy name? And he saith unto him, My name is Legion; for we are many." — Mark 5:9 (ASV)
My name is Legion. See Barnes Matthew 8:29.
"And they come to Jesus, and behold him that was possessed with demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind, [even] him that had the legion: and they were afraid." — Mark 5:15 (ASV)
Sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind. There could be no doubt of the reality of this miracle. The man had been well known. He had long dwelt among the tombs, an object of terror and alarm. To see him all at once peaceful, and calm, and rational, was proof that it was the power of God only that had done it.
They were afraid. They were awed, as in the presence of God. The word does not mean here that they feared that any evil would happen to them, but that they were affected with awe; they felt that God was there; they were struck with astonishment at what Jesus had done.
"And he suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and [how] he had mercy on thee." — Mark 5:19 (ASV)
Jesus suffered him not. Various reasons have been suggested why Jesus did not allow this man to go with him.
It might be that He wished to leave him among the people as conclusive evidence of His power to work miracles. It might also be that the man feared the devils would return if Jesus left him. Jesus might then have told him to remain. This would show him that the cure was complete and that He had power over the devils, both when absent and when present.
But the probable reason is that He desired to restore him to his family and friends. He was probably a man of influence, and Jesus was unwilling to delay the joy of his friends and prolong their anxiety by allowing him to remain away from them.
"And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men marvelled." — Mark 5:20 (ASV)
In Decapolis. See Barnes' notes on Matthew 4:25.
How great things, etc. This was the natural expression of right feeling at being cured of such a calamity. So the desire of sinners freed from sin is to honour Jesus; to ascribe all to his power; and to invite the world to participate in the same salvation, and to join them in doing honour to the Son of God. Compare Psalm 66:16.
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