John Calvin Commentary Mark 5:3

"who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain;" — Mark 5:3 (ASV)

And no man could bind him, not even with chains. Naturally, he was not able to break the chains; and therefore we infer that Satan is sometimes permitted to make extraordinary movements, the effect of which goes beyond our comprehension and beyond ordinary means.

We often perceive in individuals with severe mental afflictions much greater strength than belongs to their natural capacity, and we cannot deny that, in such cases, the devil does his part when God permits him. However, the force, which is described by the Evangelists, was far greater.⁵⁴⁸

It was indeed a sad and shocking exhibition, but it may serve to remind us how wretched and alarming it is to be placed under the tyranny of Satan, and also that bodily agony, however violent or cruel, is not to be dreaded more than distress of mind.

⁵⁴⁸ “Mais l'effort et la violence que les Evangelistes deserlvent estoit bien autre et plus grande;” — “but the effort and the violence, which the Evangelists describe, was quite different and much greater.”;” — “but the effort and the violence, which the Evangelists describe, was quite different and much greater.”