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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:1-20

A man with an unclean spirit. It is no part of the office of the homilist to enter upon the field of apologetics or exegesis. Criticism and interpretation provide the words with their definite meanings. Homiletics unfold and apply practical lessons. The difficulties of this narrative must, therefore, be discussed elsewhere. I. Our attention is first arrested by the physical derangement exhibited in this case of possession by "an unclean spirit." The sadness of this spectacle is amply... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 5:11

Now there was there nigh unto the mountains —literally, on the mountain side ( πρὸς τὰ ὅρη )— a great herd of swine feeding . St. Matthew says ( Matthew 8:30 ), "There was a good way off from them:" our Lord's interview with the demoniac was on the seashore. "The herd of swine," two thousand in number, were at a distance, feeding on the slopes of the mountain; The Jews were not allowed to eat swine's flesh. But Jews were not the only inhabitants of that district. It had been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:12

Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And he gave them leave . They could not enter even into the swine without Christ's permission; how much less into "the sheep of his pasture"! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:13

The unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place ( κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ )—literally, down the steep — into the sea,... and were choked in the sea. By this Christ shows of how little worth are earthly possessions when set in the balance with the souls of men. The recovery of this demoniac was worth far more than the value of the two thousand swine. 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

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