Mark5
New King James Version
1Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.
2And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains,
4because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.
5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.
7And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”
8For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”
9Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”
10Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
11Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.
12So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.”
13And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
14So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened.
15Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
16And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.
17Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
18And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.
19However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”
20And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
21Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.
22And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet
23and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”
24So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
25Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
27When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
28For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
30And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
32And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
33But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
35While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
37And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
38Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.
39When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”
40And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.
41Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
42Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.
43But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The demoniac healed. (1–20). A woman healed. (21–34). The daughter of Jairus raised. (35–43).
vv1-20
Some openly wilful sinners are like this madman. The commands of the law are as chains and fetters, to restrain sinners from their wicked courses; but they break those bands in sunder; and it is an evidence of the power of the devil in them. A legion of soldiers consisted of six thousand men, or more. What multitudes of fallen spirits there must be, and all enemies to God and man, when here was a legion in one poor wretched creature! Many there are that rise up against us. We are not a match for our spiritual enemies, in our own strength; but in the Lord, and in the power of his might, we shall be able to stand against them, though there are legions of them. When the vilest transgressor is delivered by the power of Jesus from the bondage of Satan, he will gladly sit at the feet of his Deliverer, and hear his word, who delivers the wretched slaves of Satan, and numbers them among his saints and servants. When the people found that their swine were lost, they had a dislike to Christ. Long-suffering and mercy may be seen, even in the corrections by which men lose their property while their lives are saved, and warning given them to seek the salvation of their souls. The man joyfully proclaimed what great things Jesus had done for him. All men marvelled, but few followed him. Many who cannot but wonder at the works of Christ, yet do not, as they ought, wonder after him.
vv21-34
A despised gospel will go where it will be better received. One of the rulers of a synagogue earnestly besought Christ for a little daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. Another cure was wrought by the way. We should do good, not only when in the house, but when we walk by the way, De 6:7. It is common with people not to apply to Christ till they have tried in vain all other helpers, and find them, as certainly they will, physicians of no value. Some run to diversions and gay company; others plunge into business, or even into intemperance; others go about to establish their own righteousness, or torment themselves by vain superstitions. Many perish in these ways; but none will ever find rest to the soul by such devices; while those whom Christ heals of the disease of sin, find in themselves an entire change for the better. As secret acts of sin, so secret acts of faith, are known to the Lord Jesus. The woman told all the truth. It is the will of Christ that his people should be comforted, and he has power to command comfort to troubled spirits. The more simply we depend on Him, and expect great things from him, the more we shall find in ourselves that he is become our salvation. Those who, by faith, are healed of their spiritual diseases, have reason to go in peace.
vv35-43
We may suppose Jairus hesitating whether he should ask Christ to go on or not, when told that his daughter was dead. But have we not as much occasion for the grace of God, and the comfort of his Spirit, for the prayers of our ministers and Christian friends, when death is in the house, as when sickness is there? Faith is the only remedy against grief and fear at such a time. Believe the resurrection, then fear not. He raised the dead child to life by a word of power. Such is the gospel call to those who are by nature dead in trespasses and sins. It is by the word of Christ that spiritual life is given. All who saw it, and heard of it, admired the miracle, and Him that wrought it. Though we cannot now expect to have our dead children or relatives restored, we may hope to find comfort under our trials.
Key Words
ἔρχομαι (érchomai): to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πέραν (péran): through (as adverb or preposition), i.e. across
θάλασσα (thálassa): the sea (genitive case or specially)
χώρα (chṓra): room, i.e. a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
Γαδαρηνός (Gadarēnós): a Gadarene or inhabitant of Gadara
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai): to issue (literally or figuratively)
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
Cross References
Mark 5Luke's parallel account containing identical core narratives of the Gadarene exorcism.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Matthew's parallel account of the Gadarene demoniacs, mentioning two possessed men.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Luke's parallel detailing Jairus, his position as ruler of the synagogue, and his plea.
Supported by JFB
Luke's parallel describing the woman with the flow of blood for twelve years.
Supported by JFB
Matthew's parallel records the demon's cry, 'Art Thou come to torment us before the time?'
Supported by JFB
Theological parallel: demons believe and tremble, recognizing their ultimate tormentor.
Supported by JFB
Old Testament law defining swine as unclean, explaining the illegality of the herd.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Matthew's parallel account of the ruler requesting Jesus to raise his daughter.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus uses identical sleep imagery for Lazarus before raising him from the dead.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Matthew's parallel account of the healing of the woman who touched Jesus' garment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Luke's parallel recording Jesus taking the girl's hand and commanding her to arise.
Supported by JFB
An identical demonic cry of 'What have I to do with thee' in Mark.
Supported by JFB
Levitcal law declaring a woman with a persistent issue of blood ceremonially unclean.
Peter mirrors Jesus' 'Talitha cumi' command when raising Tabitha ('Tabitha, arise').