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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:2-6

The demoniac of Gadara. This is the most detailed and important account given in the Gospels of demoniacal possession. Some are content to identify this phenomenon with lunacy or epilepsy, and suppose that our Lord used current phraseology upon the subject, although it expressed a popular delusion. We are slow to accept an explanation which would seem to credit him, who was always true, and himself "the Truth," with thus sanctioning error; especially as he used the same language when he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 5:1-20

See this account of the demoniacs fully explained in the notes at Matthew 8:28-34.Mark 5:4He had been often bound with fetters and chains - Efforts had been made to confine him, but his great strength - his strength increased by his malady - had prevented it. There often appears to be a great increase of strength produced by insanity, and what is here stated in regard to this maniac often occurs in Palestine and elsewhere now. Dr. Thomson (“The Land and the Book,” vol. i. p. 213) says... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 5:1-17

Mark 5:1-17. They came into the country of the Gadarenes Called Gergesenes, Matthew 8:28. Gadara and Gergasa being towns near each other, and their inhabitants, and those of the country adjacent, taking their name indifferently from either. There met him a man with an unclean spirit Matthew mentions two. Probably this, so particularly spoken of here, was the most remarkably fierce and ungovernable. This whole story is explained at large, Matthew 8:28-34. My name is Legion, for we are many... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 5:1-20

58. Demon power overcome at Gadara (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)Another place that Jesus visited was the district to the east and south of the Lake of Galilee known as Gadara. The people were mainly Gentiles and were known as Gadarenes (sometimes as Gerasenes, after the chief town of the district, or even Gergesenes, after another local town) (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1). Jesus was met there by a man whose body had been cruelly taken over by demons. To release the man from his... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 5:5

And always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones.Such a bloody, noisy, physically powerful degenerate was a troublesome handicap to all who lived in the area. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 5:5

5. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones—Terrible as he was to others, he himself endured untold misery, which sought relief in tears and self-inflicted torture. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 5:1-20

The deliverance of a demoniac in Gadara 5:1-20 (cf. Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 8:26-39)Even though Mark had already reported that Jesus had exorcized many demons, this case was extraordinary."Christ, Who had been charged by the Pharisees with being the embodiment and messenger of Satan [Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15], is here face to face with the extreme manifestation of demoniac power and influence. It is once more, then, a Miracle in Parable which is about to take place. The question,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 5:2-5

Mark gave many more details describing this man than either Matthew or Luke did. This reflects an eyewitness account and Mark’s special interest in demonic activity. Matthew wrote that there were two men, but Mark and Luke mentioned only the more outstanding of the two. Mark stressed this man’s great physical strength that had progressively increased, evidently due to the demons’ increasing hold on him. Now nothing could restrain him. The poor man was miserable in his condition. read more

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