Mar 5:13 | NET2full | STEP | Jesus gave them permission . So the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs . Then the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake , and about 2,000 were drowned in the lake .

‏ Mark 5:13

13 Jesus ^{▼▼tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} gave them permission. ^{▼▼sn Many have discussed why Jesus gave them permission, since the animals were destroyed. However, this is another example of a miracle that is a visual lesson. The demons are destructive: They were destroying the man. They destroyed the pigs. They destroy whatever they touch. The point was to take demonic influence seriously, as well as Jesus’ power over it as a picture of the larger battle for human souls. There would be no doubt how the man’s transformation had taken place.} So ^{▼▼tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate a conclusion and transition in the narrative.} the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs. Then the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake, and about 2,000 were drowned in the lake.