Mark 5:1-20: The Gerasene Demoniac
July 2024
"The Gerasene Demoniac" - 1653 painting by Sebastian Bourdon.
Mark chapter 4 was a display of Jesus's power over nature. This companion story shows his power over something else - demons. Jesus sparks a reaction from the demons, the local townspeople, and the possessed man himself. The spiritual realm is not something we may think about often. We may even try to ignore it. The Bible says it is part of our lives whether we think about it or not.
The Demoniac
This story picks up immediately where Mark 4 left off. Jesus and the disciples have survived the storm and just landed on the Eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.1
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
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The first thing they run into on the other side is an off-balance man with a demon inside of him. Not the sort of person I'd want to run into! It reminds me of seeing many homeless people in Seattle. One man was punching a bush in only pajama bottoms, possibly some sort of workout. Another man had taken over half a block of sidewalk with outdoor couches and his belongings. He was swinging around some sort of pole. A third man staggered and puked without even stopping his forward momentum. These are the sorts of people I generally avoid and give a wide birth. It's hard to even help people who hit such a low in life. The demoniac was a guy like this.
Once we get over the man's grossness, he is a sympathetic character. He lives in a graveyard. He cries out in anguish and conducts self-harm. He's oppressed. He's been driving from society and from relationships. Where is this man's family? Where are the townspeople? Everyone has given up on him because he cannot be subdued and is out of control. Luke tells us in a parallel account, "For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs." Completely homeless, cast out, and naked. What a miserable life! While it is difficult for us to help someone like this, Jesus is able.
Mark will show three reactions to Jesus, (1) the demons, (2) the townspeople, (3) the man. First, it is worth talking a bit about demons. Homeless unstable people are something we are familiar with, but we may be distracted in this story about the super strength and metaphysical qualities. This reads like the Synder cut of the Justice League movie, where Superman goes berserk and no one can stop him. This is a man who cannot be bound or subdued, even by his friends. The account sounds like a tall tale or a superhero story, not real life. Some may think this story is based off someone with mental illness and then it became legend. Perhaps the man seemed strong because he was uninhibited. The authors Mark and Luke present this as fact. Even if we dismiss this account, the Bible is unflinching in its presentation of spiritual forces.
Personal spiritual beings, such as God, angels, Satan, and demons, are discussed many times in the Bible as real and important. They are crucial to the cosmic story itself. For millennia, people have believed in these beings. But these days belief in our culture is dropping... though not as much as you may expect.2
While belief in demons is a surprising majority in American in 2023, it's still probably not a membership you'd loudly announce to the people around you. "I'm someone who believes in demons!" Why is that? What has changed that we feel reluctant to believe in spiritual forces today?
Why does it seem foolish to believe in demons now?
Some people don't believe in the spiritual realm. Demons may be viewed as superstitious, especially now we have more rational answers to disease and mental illness. These accounts may be considered children's tales to scare us. We might worry people would think we are crazy, or weird, if we admitted belief in demons. These sorts of things are not in line with our daily experiences. Perhaps they are frightening to even think about. The representation of demons has also been heavily mocked and parodied in culture. They may no longer seem credible, but instead quite silly.
It's worth noting the Bible distinguishes between physical illness, injury, and spiritual possession. Consider Matthew 4:
People brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.
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The Bible's position is sophisticated, particularly for an ancient source.3 We should be careful not to paint the Bible with too broad a brush of other ancient worldviews. Here we see differentiation of sickness from possession, even with seizures and paralysis. Severe pain may have non-disease and non-demon factors. If we fear being a Christian simpleton who blames everything on Satan, this is not the biblical view. It's true, ancient people attributed too many physical things to demonic forces, especially those who lived prior to germ theory and genetics. For us, who live under post-Enlightenment rationalism, we may be biased to think everything can be reduced to physical causes. We'd like to think everything is under our control. We need to beware leaning too far the other way. Demonology is frightening because it is a hidden realm and beyond our control. I'll admit I am reluctant to acknowledge something I cannot see or fight. The Bible asserts demons as the cause of some misfortune and grief in the world.
Mark now shows us Jesus's strange interaction with the demons.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus son of the Most High God? In God's name don't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you impure spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on a nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
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This interaction is strange and Jesus's relationship with the demons is odd. Why are the demons worried about torture? Jesus is widely known as the kindness, gentlest figure in history. Why are they pleading and deferring to him if they are rebellious angels who hate God? Luke again fills in helpful details: "They begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss" (Luke 8:31).
It isn't the man who is worried about torture, but the demons! Revelation 20:1-3 tells us the Abyss is a place some demons are imprisoned before the final judgment. Why are some demons sent to the Abyss and not others? I don't know. Why are the demons and Jesus arguing instead of fighting? Unlike superhero stories, the real spiritual realm is more complex. Jesus has authority over demons, even though they are rebellious against him. They are forced to listen to direct commands. God is infinitely stronger than demons in a direct contest of power. This is why we see the demons negotiating with Jesus here. It's why Satan uses persuasion and dialogue with God in the book of Job. They are working against God, but cannot go head to head with him. We see demons enslaving and destroying. Jesus came to rescue and save. The treatment of the man and the pigs shows their true natures. The demons oppress, alienate, and harm. Jesus frees the man and restores his relationships. Jesus removed a threat from the village, everyone should be happy now, right?
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this... and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened... Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
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The Townspeople
The man is healed and calm but they ask Jesus to leave. This is surprising. Sure, maybe some are miffed about the pigs.4 Mark says they are reacting with fear. Jesus is displaying the sort of power we say we want to see from God, but may be frightened of when we do. It's one thing to say, "Show me what's real" and another to face Satan or demons face-to-face. They were unable to contain the possessed man and now someone even stronger is here. Perhaps they want to stay out of this fray of opposing forces.
We probably want to opt out! I don't want to be involved with demons, dark forces, or a war between good and evil. These are great movie themes but I'd rather my life be wealthy, comfortable, and easy. This sounds creepy. Since we don't usually see demons, this is an area we are able to ignore. If this makes you uncomfortable or you aren't sure you believe it, you will be tempted to put your head in the sand about the spiritual realm. Let's think about that.
What are potential consequences if we ignore the Bible's wisdom on spiritual forces?
If we ignore spiritual forces we won't be on guard against them. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Paul warns Timothy, people can be held captive to do Satan's will. 2 Timothy 2:26, "[Pray] that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." I wouldn't want to unwittingly work for Satan. We probably wouldn't realize we are since demons are deceivers and by ignoring them we open ourselves up to deception. John 8:44, "You want to carry out your father's desires... [Satan] is a liar and the father of lies." We may pursue the wrong things (1 John 2:15-16). We risk becoming an enemy of God (James 4:4). Deceiving spirits seeks to have us abandon our faith (1 Timothy 4:1). The Bible even warns that worshiping idols is to actually worship demons (1 Corinthians 10:20).
We've seen in our account the demon's reaction. They are afraid, beg Jesus, and try to negotiate in their best interests. We've seen the people's reaction. They are frightened of the situation, want nothing to do with it, and try to opt out. Now let's hear from the demon possessed man.
The Man
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
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Imagine your life being saved form the depths of ruin this man was suffering. He was held captive, nude, out of control, rejected, and feared. Consider the joy and freedom he must have felt afterwards. Jesus offers the same to us.
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
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Jesus has the power to free us from darkness and make us whole, just like he did for this man. Jesus's death defeated the dark spiritual forces by giving us freedom and forgiving our sins. Jesus offers us, "Ask me to forgive you and I'll restore you to your right mind." We join the kingdom of light, under his protection. If you've made this choice, you should live like you have. Paul exhorts us to live consistently in our new position.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
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When we are enslaved by sin, we can't stop doing things we know are wrong and harmful. Like this man, we're carried away by powerful forces. If you feel this way, ask God for help! When we are enslaved by fear, we can't stop worrying about things happening to us, or which may happen in the future. If this is you, stand firm. Paul calls on us to resist being tricked or caught off guard. Jesus has the power to resolve these things. The man he healed wanted to travel with Jesus and be a part of his work. Do we want the same?
Instead of opting out like the townspeople, join the fight! Go to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you. Tell them about his mercy. It's often easier to proclaim bad news than good. While the man seeks to be with Christ, he settles for being part of the mission. We find ourselves in the same spot. We will be united with Jesus when he returns. Until then, he sends us out into the world on his behalf. This is significant work. The man makes a big impact on many people. Many in the town of Decapolis are saved and freed, even if their situations were less extreme. What can we do?
How can we engage the spiritual fight for our sake and others?
Learning what's true and acting on it is our best defense. We can share our faith and the Good News. We can pray protection for ourselves and others. The Bible shows us spiritual lines of attack demons typically take and we can be watchful of these (accusation, deception, division, bickering, grumbling). Abiding in the power of Christ and entering people's lives gives us the power and the motivation to serve. Let's choose against the negative voices in our heads.
Ignoring or engaging the spiritual realm is up to you. Will be be blind to spirituality? Will we be tricked and taken advantage of by demons? What happens to our friends, our kids, or ourselves if we do nothing? Jesus offers the power to not only overcome our fear, but to make a difference.
Notes
1. Illustration from https://holylandstories.com/sea-of-galilee-the-scriptures/. 14 September 2020. Accessed 13 July 2024.
2. Brenan, Megan. "Belief in Five Spiritual Entities Edges Down to New Lows". Gallup. https://news.gallup.com/poll/508886/belief-five-spiritual-entities-edges-down-new-lows.aspx. 20 July 2023. Accessed 12 July 2024.
3. Mark 1:34 is another passage, "Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons." The Biblical authors sometimes communicate the false views of the contemporary people, such as the expanded explanation text of John 5:4. A later scribe mentions people waited at the pool of Bethesda to be healed since they thought an angel stirred up the waters. We now know this was a tidbit added later to inform audiences who would not know that legend. The people's false beliefs are mentioned in John 9:2-3, when they ask Jesus whether the man born blind was that way because of his sin or his parent's sin. Jesus replies neither is true. The Bible describes the superstitious beliefs of ancient man, while containing more complex theology. According to the Bible, evil comes from spiritual beings, the fallen world, and from our own choices. Choices of others, the circumstances of weather, disease, and disaster, as well as our own consequences combined to make up life's misery.
4. Why send them into the pigs? I am not sure but scholars have speculated a few things. First, the demons asked to go there, it was their idea. They seem to want to possess something. Second, pigs were considered unclean by Jewish law, this would have associated the demons with uncleanliness to the original audience. It would not have affected Jewish food supply or resources, but this was a Gentile area and these were Gentile herds. Third, it makes the miracle more visible. Instead of the man suddenly being well, the whole town is able to observe this destructive force leave him and possess something else. Fourth, it shows the nature of the demons, who led the pigs to their death. The contrast of the man before and after illustrates this also. The demons were a negative influence on people, whereas Jesus is clearly a positive one. Why not send the demons to the Abyss instead of the pigs? I am not sure. Why are any demons outside the Abyss? Why has God not destroyed Satan? Their time has not yet come. But it will. Satan's accusation against God is he does not have human best interest in mind and we'd be better off ruling ourselves. Many theologians believe the human experiment has to spectacularly fail, and Satan's argument proved false, before God can destroy Satan. Otherwise, God would be proved the self-serving bully he is accused of being.