FocusRestoration and testimony
Connection to the wholeJesus restores a man dominated by unclean spirits and sends him home to tell what the Lord has done.
interpretation Mark 5:4
KJVBecause that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
Read it in context
A man delivered
Start reading at Mark 5:1 (Mark 5:1 to Mark 5:20).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Jesus restores a man dominated by unclean spirits and sends him home to tell what the Lord has done.
- 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
- 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
- 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
- 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
- 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
- 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
- 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
- 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
- 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
- 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
- 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
- 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
- 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
- 5:14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
- 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
- 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
- 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
- 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
- 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
- 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Mark, traditionally identified as John Mark and associated with Peter's preaching, is the author named by early church testimony. Biblical references: Acts 12:12; 1 Peter 5:13. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Mark, Gospel of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Mark 5:1–5:43): Jesus encounters the possessed man in the country of the Gadarenes, then Jairus, the woman seeking healing, and Jairus's household. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Readers who needed explanations of Jewish customs and Aramaic words, indicating a substantial Gentile audience. An association with Rome is early tradition, not an explicit address in the Gospel. Biblical references: Mark 5:41; Mark 7:3; Mark 7:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Mark, Gospel of. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? A man delivered. Read Mark 5:1 through Mark 5:20 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Jesus restores a man dominated by unclean spirits and sends him home to tell what the Lord has done. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account begins with John the Baptist and follows Jesus' public ministry through His death and resurrection. It does not give a composition date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Galilee, surrounding regions, the journey toward Jerusalem, and Jerusalem form the main narrative movement. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in A man delivered (Mark 5:1 to Mark 5:20). Start reading at Mark 5:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Mark explicitly presents the gospel of Jesus Christ and connects His service with giving His life a ransom for many. His identity and the call to follow Him shape the narrative. See Mark 1:1, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:45. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Follow Jesus with obedient service rather than status-seeking. Read predictions of suffering and calls to discipleship alongside accounts of power and deliverance. interpretation
Cited: Mark 5:1, Mark 5:20, Mark 1:1, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:45
Who wrote it, and how we know
John Mark, recording Peter's preaching (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionPapias, quoting an earlier elder, records that Mark wrote down Peter's preaching accurately.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
Deliverance in the country across the lake
Parallel accounts
Matthew describes two men; Mark and Luke focus on one. The accounts also use differing regional names. These differences remain visible rather than being silently harmonized.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Mark 5
This Gospel identifies its subject as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and follows His ministry toward the cross and resurrection. No particular original recipient is named in its opening.
A woman's healing
Mark 5:21–34FocusFaith amid the crowd
Connection to the wholeThe interrupted journey to Jairus' house brings a suffering woman's trust and restoration into the open.
interpretation Jairus' daughter raised
Mark 5:35–43FocusFaith when death is reported
Connection to the wholeThe daughter's restoration completes the interwoven accounts and extends the display of Jesus' authority from illness to death.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Mark
This Gospel identifies its subject as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and follows His ministry toward the cross and resurrection. No particular original recipient is named in its opening.
The ministry prepared
Mark 1:1–13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeThe brief opening introduces Jesus and His forerunner, moving rapidly toward the proclamation of the kingdom.
interpretation Authority and opposition
Mark 1:14–3:6FocusTeaching, deliverance, and conflict
Connection to the wholeJesus' works and teaching draw followers while controversies bring the first explicit plot against Him.
interpretation FocusDisciples, crowds, and understanding
Connection to the wholeTeaching, mighty works, and varied responses repeatedly expose both Jesus' authority and the disciples' difficulty understanding.
interpretation The way to Jerusalem
Mark 8:27–10:52FocusThe Messiah's suffering and following
Connection to the wholePeter's confession is followed by repeated passion predictions and teaching that redefines greatness and discipleship through service.
interpretation Jerusalem and coming judgment
Mark 11:1–13:37FocusTemple conflict and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeJesus' actions and disputes in Jerusalem lead into His teaching about coming troubles and the command to watch.
interpretation Passion and resurrection
Mark 14:1–16:20FocusDeath, the empty tomb, and proclamation
Connection to the wholeBetrayal, trial, and crucifixion lead to the resurrection proclamation and commission recorded in the KJV's final chapter.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.