Mark 5:17-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:1-20

Christ, the Redeemer of the intellect. I. THE EXTREME OF HUMAN DEGRADATION AND MISERY . Bondage, impotent violence, suicidal mania. We cannot make out a theory of the facts; the facts are certain, and sad enough in this as in that age. There may be a duplicity in the consciousness of man, so that the being is threatened with a rending asunder. There is a certain reflection of this duplicity in all of us. II. VIOLENT CONFLICT PRECEDES HAPPY CHANGE . There are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:1-20

Parallel passages: Matthew 8:28-34 ; Luke 8:26-40 .— Gadarene or Gergesene demoniacs. I. CURE OF THE GADARENE DEMONIAC . 1 . The district. The country called Gilead in the Old Testament, at a later period and in the New Testament goes by the name of Peraea. It was south of Bashan, and formed a sort of peninsula, bounded by the Yarmuck (anciently Hieromax) on the north, Arnon (now Wady el Mojeb) on the south, and Jordan on the east. The part of Gilead between the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:16-17

How it befell him that was pessessed with devils, and concerning the swine. The loss of the swine. They could not get over that. They thought far more of the worldly loss than of the spiritual gain; and they began to beseech him to depart from their borders. St. Luke ( Luke 8:37 ) says that "they were taken ( συνείχοντο ) [literally, were holden ] with great fear." This was the dominant feeling. They did not entreat him to depart out of humility, as though they felt themselves... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:17-21

The rejection and the reception of Jesus. Our text presents us with a striking contrast. Only a few miles of sea separated these people physically, but morally what a gulf was between them I. On both sides of the lake Christ's words had been heard, and his works of power had been seen, but how different were the results! If he had been like us, variable in temper and disposition—at one time moody, at another genial—we might more easily account for this. For the dispositions of sinful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:18-20

And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been possessed with devils besought him that he might he with him . It was natural that he should desire this. It would be grateful and soothing to him to be near to Christ, from whom he had received so great a benefit and yet hoped for more. 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. Our Lord here takes a different course from what lie so often... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:18-20

Desire and duty. There was wonderful variety in the methods of treatment adopted by our Lord in dealing with those who surrounded him. He touched the eyes of the blind; he garb his hand to those prostrate by illness or stricken with death; he sometimes spoke the word of healing first, and sometimes the word of pardon, always suiting himself to the special condition of each, according to his perfect knowledge of his deepest need. The same completeness of knowledge and of consideration... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 5:18-20

Mark 5:18-20 . He that had been possessed, prayed that he might be with him To enjoy the further benefit of his instructions. Perhaps he feared lest, if Jesus left him, he should relapse into his former condition, the terrors of which he dreaded. Howbeit, Jesus suffered him not Judging it proper to leave him in that country as a witness of the power and goodness of his deliverer, and of the folly and wickedness of these Gadarenes, who rejected such a Saviour. Go home to thy friends To... 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

Group of Brands