Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 5
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Mark 5
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Mark 5
"And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes." — Mark 5:1 (ASV)
Jesus now demonstrates his power over the forces of evil by casting out demons from a possessed man. Like the previous story, it reveals that Jesus is truly divine. “Across the lake” means on the eastern side, an area where the population was largely Gentile (cf. the presence of a large herd of pigs, animals considered unclean by Jews). In the area where this story probably took place, there was a cliff along with some old tombs.
"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)
Jesus was immediately confronted by the possessed man, who had seen Jesus from a distance and came running to him (v.6). Since it was already evening (cf. 4:35) when they started across the lake, it was probably dark by now.
"who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain;" — Mark 5:3 (ASV)
The possessed man lived in the tombs. Often in Palestine people were buried in natural caves or in tombs cut out of the limestone rock. It was a natural place for a demon-possessed man to dwell because of the popular belief that tombs were a favorite haunt of demons. Efforts had been made to control this wretched man, but without success.
"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)
The possessed man lived in the tombs. Often in Palestine people were buried in natural caves or in tombs cut out of the limestone rock. It was a natural place for a demon-possessed man to dwell because of the popular belief that tombs were a favorite haunt of demons. Efforts had been made to control this wretched man, but without success.
"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)
The possessed man lived in the tombs. Often in Palestine people were buried in natural caves or in tombs cut out of the limestone rock. It was a natural place for a demon-possessed man to dwell because of the popular belief that tombs were a favorite haunt of demons. Efforts had been made to control this wretched man, but without success.
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