Mark 5:17-19

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 5:17

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 5:19

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not ,.... He being as able to preserve him from those evil spirits, when absent, as present; and besides, to take him along with him, would look like ostentation and boasting, which Christ was averse unto; and more especially, as is clear from what follows, he chose he should stay behind, because he had work for him to do in those parts, which would be for the glory of God, the spread of the knowledge of himself, and his Gospel, among his friends, relations, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 5:19

Suffered him not - Ὁ δε Ιησους , Howbeit Jesus, is omitted by ABKLM, twenty-seven others, both the Syriac, both the Persic, Coptic, Gothic, Vulgate, and one of the Itala. Mill and Bengel approve of the omission, and Griesbach leaves it out of the text. Go home to thy friends, etc. - This was the cause why Jesus would not permit him to follow him now, because he would not have the happiness of his relatives deferred, who must exceedingly rejoice at seeing the wonders which the Lord had... 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

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