Mark 5:16-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 5:1-20

We have here an instance of Christ's dispossessing the strong man armed, and disposing of him as he pleased, to make it appear that he was stronger than he. This he did when he was come to the other side, whither he went through a storm; his business there was to rescue this poor creature out of the hands of Satan, and when he had done that, he returned. Thus he came from heaven to earth, and returned, in a storm, to redeem a remnant of mankind out of the hands of the devil, though but a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 5:14-17

5:14-17 The men who were feeding the pigs fled, and brought news of what had happened to the town and to the farms. They came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus, and they saw the demon-possessed man--the man who had had the legion of demons--sitting fully clothed and in his senses, and they were afraid; and those who had seen what had taken place told them what had happened to the demon-possessed man, and told them about the pigs; and they began to urge Jesus to get out... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 5:18-20

5:18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging him that he might be allowed to stay with him. He did not allow him, but said to him, "Go back to your home and your own people, and tell them all that the Lord has done for you." And he went away and began to proclaim the story throughout the Decapolis of all that Jesus had done for him. The interesting thing about this passage is that it tells us that this incident happened in the Decapolis.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 5:16

And they that saw it ,.... Not the keepers of the swine, for they were fled and gone; but others that were eyewitnesses of the whole affair, who lived in houses hard by, or were working in the fields; or the disciples of Christ: told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil ; gave a particular account, how, upon first sight of Christ, he ran to meet him, and fell down and worshipped him; how Christ ordered the unclean spirit to come out of him; and how he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 5:17

And they began to pray him ,.... That is, the inhabitants of the city of Gadara, and of the villages round about, very earnestly importuned him to depart out of their coasts ; fearing, lest for their sins, some sorer judgment should fall upon them, than the loss of their swine; since they perceived he was a person of great power and authority; which shows great ignorance and worldly mindedness: they knew not how great a person they had among them; that he was the Son of God, and Saviour... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 5:18

And When he was come into the ship ,.... For at the request of these men, who were unworthy of his presence, and of any favour from him, either by his doctrine, or miracles, he turned back to the sea side again; and as he was about to take ship, he that had been possessed with the devil, prayed him that he might be with him : for when Jesus turned his back upon the Gadarenes, and returned to the sea shore, this poor man, who had received so great a benefit by him, rose up and followed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:1-20

The Lord of spirits. There was for Christ, during his earthly ministry, no escape from personal toil—from the claims made upon his benevolence by human misery, or from man's ingratitude. He crossed the lake to seek repose, but at once, on landing, was met by a case of the utmost wretchedness and need, demanding the exercise of his compassionate authority. His stay was brief, yet long enough to earn the thanks and the devotion of one poor liberated captive, and long enough to qualify and to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:1-20

Legion. General question of demon-possession. An aggravated form of Satanic influence. Intelligible enough on the principle of provocation and desperation: light and darkness are strongest side by side. The advent of Christ roused to intense activity and excitement the whole demoniacal realm. In this scene there is exemplified— I. MORAL ANTAGONISM . 1 . Instinctive. Spontaneous; prescient; yet furnishing no intelligible reason. "An intensified spiritual presentiment" (Lange).... read more

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

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