Unfriendly heralds of Christ. I. DIFFICULTY OF GETTING THE GOSPEL TRULY AND FAITHFULLY PREACHED . II. CONTRAST THIS WITH THE RAPID SPREAD OF FALSE NOTIONS ABOUT CHRIST , HERESIES , UNSETTLING ALARMS , ETC , III. COMPENSATIONS . 1 . The existence of Christ is made known. By-and-by his character will vindicate itself. 2 . Curiosity is aroused and feeling excited. Almost anything is better than indifference. And the... read more
And they come to Jesus, and behold him that was possessed with devils sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him that had the legion; and they were afraid. St, Luke adds that they found him sitting at the feet of Jesus. It is likely enough that the man, as soon as he found himself dispossessed, had east himself at the feet of Jesus, and was worshipping him; but that, when hidden by Christ to sit, he chose to place himself at his feet. "He was clothed, and in his right mind." What a... read more
Monumental miracles. The tableau—Christ, and the demoniac sitting at his feet. More impressive and sublime than even the rebuking of the storm. Such trophies are better than sermons, because— I. THEY ARE AN ABIDING REMINDER AND EXAMPLE . II. THEY ARE PATENT TO ALL , AND CAN BE UNDERSTOOD BY ALL . "Living epistles, known and read of all men." III. THEY DEFY REFUTATION , AND DEMAND TO BE EXPLAINED .—M. read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 5:14
And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country . St. Matthew mentions only the city. St. Mark's narrative is more full. No doubt many of these swineherds lived in the country districts; and so the fame of the miracle was spread far and wide. The swineherds would take care that the owners should understand that it was through no fault or carelessness on their part that the swine had perished; but that the destruction was caused by a power over which they had no... read more