A.T. Robertson Commentary Mark 5
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Mark 5
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Mark 5
"And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes." — Mark 5:1 (ASV)
The Gerasenes (των Γερασηνων). Like Lu 8:26 while Mt 8:28 has "the Gadarenes." The ruins of the village Khersa (Gerasa) probably point to this site which is in the district of Gadara some six miles southeastward, not to the city of Gerasa some thirty miles away.
"And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit," — Mark 5:2 (ASV)
Out of the boat (εκ του πλοιου). Straightway (ευθυς) Mark says, using the genitive absolute (εξελθοντος αυτου) and then repeating αυτω associative instrumental after απηντησεν. The demoniac greeted Jesus at once. Mark and Lu 9:27 mention only one man while Matthew notes two demoniacs, perhaps one more violent than the other. Each of the Gospels has a different phrase. Mark has "a man with an unclean spirit" (εν πνευματ ακαθαρτω), Matthew 8:28 "two possessed with demons" (δυο δαιμονιζομενο), Luke 8:27 "one having demons" (τις εχων δαιμονια). Mark has many touches about this miracle not retained in Matthew and Luke. See on Mt 8:28.
"who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain;" — Mark 5:3 (ASV)
No man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain (ουδε αλυσε ουδεις εδυνατο αυτον δησα). Instrumental case αλυσε, a handcuff (α privative and λυω, to loosen). But this demoniac snapped a handcuff as if a string.
"because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him." — Mark 5:4 (ASV)
Often bound (πολλακις δεδεσθα). Perfect passive infinitive, state of completion. With fetters (πεδαις, from πεζα, foot, instep) and chains, bound hand and foot, but all to no purpose. The English plural of foot is feet (Anglo-Saxon fot, fet) and fetter is feeter.
Rent asunder (διεσπασθα). Drawn (σπαω) in two (δια- same root as δυο, two). Perfect passive infinitive.
Broken in pieces (συντετριφθα.) Perfect passive infinitive again, from συντριβω, to rub together. Rubbed together, crushed together. Perhaps the neighbours who told the story could point to broken fragments of chains and fetters. The fetters may have been cords, or even wooden stocks and not chains.
No man had strength to tame him (ουδεις ισχυεν αυτον δαμασα). Imperfect tense. He roamed at will like a lion in the jungle.
"And always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones." — Mark 5:5 (ASV)
He was crying out, and cutting himself with stones (ην κραζων κα κατακοπτων εαυτον λιθοις). Further vivid details by Mark. Night and day his loud scream or screech could be heard like other demoniacs (cf. 1:26; 3:11; 9:26). The verb for cutting himself occurs here only in the N.T., though an old verb. It means to cut down (perfective use of κατα-). We say cut up, gash, hack to pieces. Perhaps he was scarred all over with such gashes during his moments of wild frenzy night and day in the tombs and on the mountains. Periphrastic imperfect active with ην and the participles.
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