‏ Mark 5

Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

This section describes how Jesus healed a man who was possessed by many demons in the region of the Gerasenes (also called Gadarenes). The story shows Jesus’ great power over evil spirits and how he brings freedom to those who are suffering. It also teaches lessons about faith, fear, and the response of people to God’s work.

v. 1: Jesus and his disciples arrive by boat on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, in the country of the Gerasenes. This was a region where many Gentiles lived. Jesus goes there to show that his message and power are for all people, not just the Jews.

v. 2: As soon as Jesus steps out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit (a demon) comes out from the tombs to meet him. This man lived among the graves because he was so disturbed and rejected by everyone else. Evil spirits drove him away from normal life and made him live in a lonely, scary place.

v. 3–4: The man had often been tied up with chains and shackles, but he broke them every time. No one was strong enough to control him. The evil spirits gave him unnatural strength. People were afraid of him, and he was completely out of control because of the demons.

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v. 5: Day and night, the man cried out among the tombs and in the hills, cutting himself with stones. He was in deep pain and misery. This shows how the devil hurts people and tries to destroy them, both in body and mind.

v. 6–7: When the man sees Jesus from a distance, he runs and falls down before him. He shouts loudly, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” The demons know who Jesus is. They are afraid and beg Jesus not to torture them.

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v. 8: Jesus says, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Jesus has authority over demons, and they must obey his command. He is more powerful than any evil spirit.

v. 9: Jesus asks the demon’s name, and the answer is, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” This means there were many evil spirits inside the man. The name “Legion” is like a Roman army unit, showing just how many there were.

v. 10–13: The demons beg Jesus not to send them out of the region. Nearby, there is a large herd of pigs. The demons ask to enter the pigs, and Jesus allows it. When the demons go into the pigs, the whole herd rushes down the steep bank into the sea and drowns. This shows that evil spirits want to destroy, and that Jesus’ power is much greater than theirs.

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v. 14–17: The people who took care of the pigs run into the city and tell everyone what happened. The people come and see the man who had been possessed, now sitting peacefully, clothed and in his right mind. They are afraid of Jesus’ power. Instead of rejoicing, they ask Jesus to leave their region because they are scared and perhaps angry about losing their pigs.

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v. 18–20: As Jesus gets back into the boat, the man who was healed begs to go with him. But Jesus tells him to go home to his friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for him and how he has had mercy on him. The man goes and tells everyone in the Decapolis (Ten Cities) what Jesus did for him, and all the people are amazed.

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The Healing of the Bloody Issue.

After the people of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to leave their area, he returned by boat to the other side of the lake. There, a large crowd quickly gathered around him. This shows that even when some reject Jesus, others will welcome him and seek his help. Among those who came to him were two people in desperate need—one openly asking for help for a child, and another quietly seeking healing for herself.

v. 21-24: Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came to Jesus with great humility and urgency. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come and heal his little daughter, who was about twelve years old and close to death. Jairus believed that if Jesus laid his hands on her, she would live. Jesus agreed to go with him, and a large crowd followed (Mark 5:21-24; Luke 8:42-49 ^a).

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v. 25-26: As Jesus was on his way, a woman in the crowd tried to get close to him. She had suffered from a bleeding problem for twelve years and had become weak and discouraged. She had spent all her money on doctors, but instead of getting better, she only grew worse. Sometimes, people only turn to Jesus after everything else has failed (Deuteronomy 6:7 ^b).

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v. 27-28: The woman had strong faith in Jesus. She believed that if she could just touch his clothes, she would be healed. She did not feel comfortable asking him publicly, but she was sure that even a secret touch would be enough (Mark 5:28 ^c).

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v. 29: She managed to touch his garment in the crowd, and immediately she was healed. She could feel in her body that the bleeding had stopped and she was completely well. This miracle happened instantly, showing that Jesus’ power can bring sudden and total healing.

v. 30-32: Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” The disciples thought it was a strange question because so many people were crowding around him. But Jesus looked for the person who had touched him, not to scold her, but to encourage her and confirm her healing (Mark 5:30-32 ^d).

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v. 33: The woman, afraid and trembling, came forward and fell at Jesus’ feet. She told him the whole truth about what had happened. Even though she was nervous, she was honest and gave glory to God for her healing.

v. 34: Jesus spoke kindly to her, saying, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy disease” (Mark 5:34 ^e). Jesus honored her faith and told her to enjoy her healing and live in peace. When we trust Jesus, he not only heals our spiritual wounds but also gives us peace and assurance.

The Daughter of Jairus Restored to Life

Jesus shows his power over both sickness and death. Earlier in the chapter, he healed a woman who seemed incurable, and now he will show that even death is not beyond his help. Death and disease came into the world because of Adam's sin, but Jesus, the "second Adam," brings hope and victory over them.

v. 35: Messengers come to Jairus with sad news: Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further? (Mark 5:35 ^f). Usually, when someone dies, we feel we must accept God's will and move on, remembering words like, The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away (Job 1:21 ^g). But here, the story does not end with death. Jesus is present, and something extraordinary is about to happen.

v. 36: Jesus gives Jairus hope and tells him, Be not afraid, only believe (Mark 5:36 ^h). Jesus wants Jairus to keep trusting him, even though his daughter has died. We should remember, too, that when someone dies, we should not grieve like people who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13 ⁱ). God still comforts those who mourn, as he told Rachel, Refrain your voice from weeping... for there is hope in your end, that your children shall come again (Jeremiah 31:16–17 ^j). Faith in Jesus is the answer to fear and deep sorrow.

v. 37: Jesus does not let the crowd follow him to Jairus’s house. He takes only Peter, James, and John, his closest disciples. Only a few witnesses are needed for this miracle. Jesus does not want to show off, but to help and to teach.

v. 38-39: When Jesus arrives at the house, he sees people crying loudly because the girl has died. He tells them she is not dead but only sleeping. They laugh at him because they do not believe he can help. Their disbelief actually proves that the girl was truly dead.

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v. 40: Jesus sends out everyone who does not believe and keeps only the girl’s parents and the three disciples with him. He wants people who trust him to see what he will do, especially the parents who need comfort and hope.

v. 41: Jesus speaks to the girl in her own language, saying, Talitha cumi; Damsel, I say to you, arise (Mark 5:41 ^k). With this command, he shows his power. Unlike doctors who can only hope someone gets better, Jesus commands life to return. His word brings life, just as it does for people who are "dead" in sin (Ephesians 5:14; Ezekiel 16:6 ^l). When Jesus commands, he also gives the power to obey.

v. 42: Immediately, the girl gets up and walks around. She is twelve years old. This shows that real spiritual life will make a difference—you will rise from laziness and live in a new way, just as she did.

Everyone is amazed by what happened. They cannot explain it, and their wonder should lead them to trust Jesus more, but sometimes people only feel astonished and do not believe.

v. 43: Jesus asks them to keep the miracle quiet for now. He does not want too much attention on this until after his own resurrection, which will be the greatest proof of his power over death.

Jesus also tells them to give the girl something to eat. This shows she is truly alive and healthy. When Jesus gives new life, he also provides what we need to grow. Just as newborn Christians need spiritual food (1 Peter 2:1–2 ^m), so Jesus cares for us after giving us life. He will not forget or fail those he has helped (Matthew 6:25 ⁿ).