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Mark 5 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹On the other side of the sea, they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes. ²As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, He was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who was coming from the tombs. ³This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains. ⁴Though he was often bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and shattered the shackles. Now there was no one with the strength to subdue him. ⁵Night and day in the tombs and in the mountains he kept crying out and cutting himself with stones. ⁶When the man saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees before Him. ⁷And he shouted in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God not to torture me!” ⁸For Jesus had already declared, “Come out of this man, you unclean spirit!” ⁹“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰And he begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of that region. ¹¹There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. ¹²So the demons begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.” ¹³He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water. ¹⁴Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. ¹⁵When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ¹⁶Those who had seen it described what had happened to the demon-possessed man and also to the pigs. ¹⁷And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region. ¹⁸As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him. ¹⁹But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” ²⁰So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed. ²¹When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea. ²²A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet ²³and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.” ²⁴So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him. ²⁵And a woman was there who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶She had borne much agony under the care of many physicians and had spent all she had, but to no avail. Instead, her condition had only grown worse. ²⁷When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. ²⁸For she kept saying, “If only I touch His garments, I will be healed.” ²⁹Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction. ³⁰At once Jesus was aware that power had gone out from Him. Turning to the crowd, He asked, “Who touched My garments?” ³¹His disciples answered, “You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” ³²But He kept looking around to see who had done this. ³³Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth. ³⁴“Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.” ³⁵While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?” ³⁶But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” ³⁷And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” ⁴⁰And they laughed at Him. After He had put them all outside, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child. ⁴¹Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” ⁴²Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around. She was twelve years old, and at once they were utterly astounded. ⁴³Then Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

Mark

Mark 5

Deliverance, Faith, and Resurrection: The Authority of Christ Over Darkness and Death

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Objective

To reveal Jesus’ sovereign power over demonic oppression, disease, and death, demonstrating His compassion and authority that bring restoration and new life.

Overview

Mark 5 unfolds three profound miracles that display Jesus’ dominion over spiritual bondage, physical infirmity, and death itself. First, He confronts a man possessed by a legion of demons, liberating him from torment and reclaiming his humanity. Then, a woman afflicted with a chronic bleeding condition is healed through her faith in touching Jesus’ garment. Finally, Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from death, affirming His power to restore life. These events reveal Jesus as the Son of the Most High God, whose compassion breaks chains, heals bodies, and conquers the grave.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

Jesus crosses to the country of the Gadarenes and is immediately met by a man possessed by an unclean spirit dwelling among the tombs. This man is uncontrollable, bound often but breaking chains, crying and cutting himself. Upon seeing Jesus, the man runs and worships Him, acknowledging Him as the Son of the Most High God. Jesus commands the unclean spirit to come out, which reveals its name as Legion, for many demons inhabit him. The demons beg not to be sent away but to enter a nearby herd of swine. Jesus permits this, and the swine rush violently into the sea and perish. The man is found clothed and in his right mind, causing fear among the townspeople who urge Jesus to leave.

Central Themes

Jesus’ authority over demonic powers

Restoration of human dignity and sanity

Recognition of Jesus’ divine identity

The cost of deliverance and human response

Cultural & Historical Context

The Gadarenes region was Gentile territory, and pigs were unclean animals to Jews, highlighting the cultural tension in the miracle. The presence of a legion of demons reflects the Roman military term, symbolizing the vast spiritual oppression. Tombs as the man’s dwelling emphasize death’s grip on him. The townspeople’s fear and request for Jesus to depart reveal resistance to divine intervention that disrupts their economic interests and worldview. Cross-references include Luke 8:26-39 and Matthew 8:28-34.

Key Verse

Mark 5:19

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Deliverance of the Legion-Possessed Man

A wild figure emerges from shadowed tombs, chains broken and scattered, eyes wild yet turning toward a radiant figure standing calmly on the shore. Around them, a herd of swine stampedes down a steep incline toward a dark, churning sea, while the man, now clothed in white, sits peacefully, bathed in dawn light, embodying liberation and restored humanity.

The Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood

A crowded, dusty road filled with pressing figures. Amid them, a trembling woman reaches out with a trembling hand to touch the hem of a flowing robe glowing softly with an invisible light. Around her, the crowd blurs, but a subtle stream of healing energy flows from the garment into her, drying up a crimson stain, as hope and peace dawn in her eyes.

The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter

A dimly lit room filled with mourners in despair. At its center, a young girl lies still, pale and silent. Jesus stands beside her, hand extended, eyes filled with gentle command and compassion. Light pours from His touch, illuminating the girl’s face as color returns and she rises, surrounded by astonished and joyful witnesses, the promise of life breaking through death’s shadow.

Song

Mark 5 Song

Verse 1

From tombs of darkness, chains undone, A broken man meets God’s own Son. Legion flees before His voice, In Him alone, we find our choice.

Verse 2

A woman’s faith, a trembling hand, Touches grace no eye can stand. Healing flows from hem to soul, Faith makes broken bodies whole.

Chorus

Jesus, Lord of life and light, Breaks the chains, restores the sight. From death to life, from fear to peace, In Your power, all sorrows cease.

Bridge

A father’s plea, a daughter’s sleep, Jesus speaks, death’s hold to keep. Arise, O child, from silent night, In Him is everlasting light.

Final Chorus

Jesus, Lord of life and light, Breaks the chains, restores the sight. From death to life, from fear to peace, In Your power, all sorrows cease. Hallelujah, risen King, To You alone our praises sing.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Trust Jesus’ authority over the unseen forces that oppress and bind us.

Approach Jesus with faith, even when hope seems lost or healing delayed.

Embrace the peace and restoration that come from Christ’s compassion.

Community & Society

Support those marginalized by sickness or spiritual struggles with compassion and faith.

Encourage public testimony of God’s work in our lives to inspire others.

Recognize that deliverance and healing may challenge cultural norms and economic interests.

Global Perspective

Pray for the spread of the gospel to regions oppressed by spiritual darkness.

Advocate for holistic healing—physical, spiritual, and social—in global missions.

Celebrate and proclaim Christ’s power over death as the hope for all nations.

Conclusion

Mark 5 reveals Jesus’ unparalleled authority over the forces that enslave humanity—demonic powers, chronic illness, and death itself. His compassion restores dignity, health, and life, inviting faith that transcends fear and despair. These miracles testify to the kingdom of God breaking into a broken world, calling all to believe in the One who brings freedom, healing, and resurrection.