COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 48
“ Mark 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 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 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.”
(Mark 5:1-5; Matthew 8:28; Lk 8:26-27,29)
THE GADARENE DEMONIAC, #1
INTRODUCTION
Some of Christ’s miracles were especially notable – the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the feeding of the five thousand, and walking on the water. It is not that any of these miracles required more power than others, for whether it is healing a man who was born blind (John 9:1-7), or feeding four thousand men beside women and children (Matt 15:38), both are impossible with men. In some of His miracles, however, Jesus appeared to have penetrated Satan’s kingdom more deeply, dealing with cases in which the devil had dominated for a long time, or was exercising unusual power. For example, Jesus healed one man who had been infirm for thirty-eight years (John 5:5). Another mature man was healed by Jesus who had been blind “from birth” (John 9:1). He healed a woman who had been bowed together for eighteen years (Lk 13:4), and another woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years (Matt 9:20). There were also three instances in which Jesus invaded the territory of the dead – a realm in which Satan had been given special power (Heb 2:14). The Lord raised three people from the dead: a young girl who had just died (Mk 5:42), a young man who was dead for only a day of two and was not yet buried (Mk 7:14-15), and Lazarus who had been dead for four days and was already buried (John 11:43-44). The incident now before us is in a category of miracles that especially penetrated the region of darkness. Here, Satanic dominance was most unusual, and it had existed for a long time. Yet, this was no challenge for our Lord. We also learn from this account that Satan’s forces are intelligent as well as powerful.
THEY ARRIVED AT THE OTHER SIDE
“ 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.”
THEY CAME OVER. Matthew says, “when HE was come to the other side.” Mark and Luke says “THEY same over” (Mk 5:1), and “THEY arrived” (Lk 8:26). Matthew approaches the event with Christ’s work in mind – He was “come over” to do the works of His Father. Mark and Luke view the event from Christ’s overall purpose, to develop a nucleus of eye witnesses, who would later declare this event. Jesus referred to His disciples as “witnesses” (Lk 24:48; Acts 1:8). Peter affirmed that one of the qualification of an apostle was that he must have “companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22).
We have, then, several reasons for Christ’s wonderful works among the sons of men. First, He was doing the works God gave Him to do (John 5:36). Second, this was a means by which the Father “approved” of Him before men (Acts 2:22). Third, in these works He was making known His superiority over Satan (Lk 11:20-22). Fourth, He was introducing His ministry, which involved the recovery of humanity from Satan’s power (Lk 4:18). Fifth, He was preparing the Apostles for the work of spreading the Gospel (Heb 2:3). Sixth, He was showing He had power to forgive sins (Matt 9:6). Were Jesus to have failed in the instance before us, all of these causes would have fallen to the ground. The fact that He did not fail confirms that He is precisely who He said He was, and is to be trusted without reservation.
John tells us the reason for the record of these wonderful works. “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30-31). We must, then, see more in this event than a miracle. An association must be made in our minds of this work and Jesus being “the Christ, the Son of God.” We are not to assume we have fully grasped the significance of Christ Jesus.
With these things in mind, the storm through which the small group had just passed can be seen with fuller understanding. First, it was a test for the disciples, to discover to themselves the measure of their faith. Second, it prepared the disciples for a work of great magnitude that would take place before their eyes. Third, I do not doubt that Satan was also attempting to use that storm to rid the world of the Savior, and thwart the fulfillment of God’s promise, thereby imagining his own demise would be made less likely.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SEA. There are works that can only be done AFTER a sea – even a stormy sea – has been crossed. God can, as He did with Philip, transport His workers immediately to another place. After preaching to the eunuch, “the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,” and he “was found at Azotus” (Acts 8:40). On one occasion the prophet Ezekiel was lifted up by the Spirit and taken away to the exiles in Telabib (Ezek 2:14). Another time God “put forth the form of a hand,” taking Ezekiel “by a lock” of his hair, and brought him in visions to Jerusalem (Ezek 8:3). But all involvements in the work of the Lord are not instantaneous. Some involve traveling through a stormy sea, inconvenience, hardship, and even despairing of life (2 Cor 1:8).
Midway through the storm on Galilee, the novice might have imagined that going to the other side was a mistake. There is a view of “open doors” that sees ease and convenience as proof of Divine opportunity. While this may occur at times, it is not always the way God works with His children. There is such a thing as a “great and effectual door” that is attended by “many adversaries” (1 Cor 16:9). Those who walk with Jesus will find this to be true.
THE COUNTRY OF THE GADARENES. Matthew refers to the area as “the country of the Gergesenes” (Matt 8:28). Mark and Luke call it “the country of the Gadarenes” (Mk 5:1; Lk 8:26). In both cases, the area is associated with its inhabitants: “Gergesenes” (from the city of Gergasa), and “Gadarenes” (from the city of Gadara, capital of the region). These cities were close to each other, and were part of a cluster of ten cities referred to as “Decapolis,” where, following his healing, the Lord told the former demonic to testify (Mk 5:20). It was a region where Jesus Himself testified later (Mk 7:31). Some believe this refers to the ancient territory of the Gergashites, one of the seven nations Israel was to drive out of Canaan (Gen 15:17-21; Deut 7:1; Josh 3:10; 24:11).
The region to which they came was, from one viewpoint, near to one city, where the tombs existed. The man Jesus will now confront was formerly “from the city” (Lk 8:27), which was probably the other city, both being part of the group of cities called “Decapolis.” (Damascus, Philadelphia, Raphana, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippos, Dion, Pella, Gerasa, and Canatha). This is considered a region “beyond Jordan,” which was associated with “the Gentiles” (Matt 4:15,25). While there were no doubt Jews in this area, they do not appear to have been prominent.
AN IMMEDIATE CONFRONTATION
“ 2 And when He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains.”
HE WAS COME OUT OF THE SHIP. First, it is important to note that they arrived safely to the place to which Jesus had directed them (Mk 4:35). If ever men can accept the directives of Jesus as they truly are, they can be assured of their fulfillment. Some examples of such directives are, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1,27), “Be thou faithful until death” (Rev 2:10), and “Be ye also ready” (Matt 24:44).
When Jesus came out of the ship, He did so as the Master of the situation. Wherever Jesus was, He was in absolute control – the only exception being when He was given over into the hands of the powers of darkness for a brief moment, in order to His vicarious death (Lk 22:53). The presence of Jesus equates to the presence of the King, the Ruler, the Master, and He to whom everything is subject.
IMMEDIATELY, A MAN MET HIM. Matthew says that “two men” met Him (Matt 8:28). Mark and Luke emphasize the more prominent of the two, or the one more exceedingly fierce. Luke tells us the attention was on the man who was “out of the city” (Lk 8:27). Perhaps these men, and the one man in particular, rushed out to meet anyone who dared to come that way. This time, however, they would confront the King of glory.
WITH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT. Matthew says the men were “possessed with demons” (Matt 8:28). Luke says the particular man of reference “had demons for a long time” Lk 8:27). Mark says he had “an unclean spirit,” i.e. an evil spirit that defiled, contaminated, and rendered unsuitable for any good.
In Zechariah, “unclean spirits” were associated with idolatry and false prophets (Zech 13:2). The Gospels contain seventeen references to this category of spirits (Matt 10:1; 12:43; Mk 1:23,26,27; 3:11,30; 5:2,8,13; 6:7; 7:25; Lk 4:36; 6:18; 8:29; 9:42; 11:24), Acts has two (Acts 5:16; 8:7), and Revelation has one (Rev 16:13). Parallel Gospel accounts refer to those “unclean spirits” as “demons” (Matt 10:1/Mk 3:15; Mk 3:11/Lk 4:11; Mk 7:25/Matt 15:22).
The term “unclean spirit” emphasizes the effect of the demon upon the person. Such demons brought on conditions that, according to the Law, rendered a person “unclean,” and unfit to dwell among men. This uncleanness was not of natural order, such as uncleanness caused by childbirth (Lev 12:2,5), touching something unclean (Lev 5:2), the issue of blood (Lev 15:19), etc. Jesus once confronted a young boy who had an “unclean spirit” that threw him in fire and water, and caused him to wallow on the ground and foam at the mouth (Mk 9:20-22; Lk 9:39). Another “unclean spirit”caused a man to go into convulsions (Mk 1:26).
These spirits overrode the human personality, so that conditions were caused, over which the afflicted person was powerless, whether a child, or in full adulthood. Jesus identified such spirits as “wicked,” and affirmed they were capable of bringing other spirits with them to inhabit some poor soul, who had experienced some reform, but had no genuine spiritual change (Matt 12:43-45). The man in this account also had multiple demons within. In fact, we will find it was a staggering number of them. This indicates that evil tends to spread.
DWELLING AMONG TOMBS. Matthew says the men “came out of the tombs,” or out from among them (Matt 8:18). Luke says the man lived among the tombs – they were his home (Lk 8:27). The devil and his hosts have a particular penchant for death. Until Jesus died, he “had the power of death.” Death is something that the powers of darkness promote. Murder (taking the life of another), suicide (self murder), genocide(destroying a cultural group), massacres, etc. – they are all the work of Satan. Further, Satan promotes an unnatural attraction to death in such things as necrophilia, symbols of death, and places for the interment of dead bodies. There are even whole areas of society that are dominated by death and a penchant for it. Scriptures speak of areas that were “the region and shadow of death” (Matt 4:16), declaring that Jesus invaded them, shedding forth life-giving light and illumination.
It is no coincidence that this possessed man was found living along the tombs – the ultimate confirmation of uncleanness. It ought to be noted that we are living in a time when young people are being drawn toward death. They love to have and display its symbols, and use cosmetics that remind people more of the dead than of the living. All of these things are evidences of the prominence of demonic forces.
NO MAN COULD RESTRAIN HIM. The man had extraordinary strength, so that he could not be restrained, even with chains of iron. Luke says he was “kept bound with chains and in fetters” (shackles), and kept “under guard” NASB – inferred by the words “kept bound” (Lk 8:29). He had not, therefore, simply been abandoned. Some efforts were made to deal with him, but with absolutely no success. For centuries men have attempted to deal with the insane who are violent. This text is a commentary on their success.
A SITUATION WITH WHICH MAN COULD NOT DEAL
“ 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 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.”
OFTEN BOUND. No doubt the most prominent experts in human behavior were employed by the region. After all, this man did not exactly attract visitors. Matthew says of his ferocity, “so that no man might pass that way” (Matt 8:28). Thus, we read that he “had been often chained hand and foot,” NIV but to no avail. The man simply “tore apart” the chains, and broke the shackles “in pieces.” NASB These attempts had been going on for a long time, and no one was able to come up with any solution. Not only were they impotent to cure the man, they were not even able to keep him restrained.
NO MAN COULD TAME. Other versions read, “no was one strong enough to subdue him,” NASB and “no one was strong enough to control him.” NLT Unclean spirits moved upon this man to the total consternation of the local citizenry. Luke says the evil spirit “caught him,” or “seized him many times” NASB (Lk 8:29a). Sometimes the demon would drive the poor man into “the wilderness,” or desolate places, (Lk 8:29b) – away from society and every valid expression of life. This apparently happened frequently, without any obvious pattern of frequency. No person was able to address the situation. It totally transcended any human wisdom or might – not only in the one who was possessed, but in all who had to deal with him.
There are certain things occurring in our society that are evidence of increased Satanic activity. We are seeing the eruption of uncontrolled violence, and the inability to deal with it. There is also a certain attraction to death among the younger segment of society, and even a preference for foreboding black attire. There seems to be a culturing of wilderness-living: choosing to dwell in isolation, away from the normalities of life. These are all indications of the absence of moral and spiritual life, which is darkness – the only domain in which the devil and his hosts can work. This is a time for the church to be strong, alert, and prepared for every good work.
NIGHT AND DAY. There was a continual oppression of this man. “Always, night and day,” he was found “in the mountains and in the tombs,” shrieking out, and “gashing himself with stones.” NASB Luke tells us that this man did not abide “in any house, but in the tombs” (Lk 8:27). Even then, according to this text, the unclean spirit would take hold of the man and drive him into the mountains and remote regions, crying out like a wild and wounded animal, doing violence to himself, as well as any others within range.
NAKED. Luke informs us that the demons also influenced this man to go without clothes: “and who had not put on any clothing for as long time.” NASB Nakedness is the very first condition that caused man to be “ashamed” (Gen 2:25). It was also the very first condition men sought to correct (Gen 3:7). It has been true throughout history, that the more people were unaware of God, the more naked they have become. The display of naked flesh is particularly reprehensible to God. That is the reason the priests of old were commanded to wear breeches that covered their thighs (Ex 20:26; 28:42). One of the first curses following the flood was owing to a person beholding nakedness (Gen 9:22-25). The eighteenth and twentieth chapters of Leviticus contain thirty-two prohibitions against viewing nakedness outside of the covenant of marriage.
The “unclean spirits” within this man moved him to discard his clothing, so that he became accustomed to running about naked. The dreadful condition brought on by the sin of Adam and Eve was totally obscured to this man. He had no regard for either God or man.
SOME COMMENTS. Here is the case of a man who could not change his condition. He was powerless to stop the unclean spirits from driving him into the wilderness, or into mountainous regions, or darting in and out among the tombs. He had no power to stop his violent outbursts, or cutting himself with stones, or crying out like a wounded beast. Is there anyone thinks to promote the presence of free will within all men? What will they do with this man? Was his will free? Did he dwell among the tombs because he wanted to? Did he run into the mountains, the wilderness, and among the tombs because he chose to do so? Did he carve upon his body because he thought it best to do it? He was “possessed” by a host of evil spirits, who had absolutely no regard for his will, aptitude, or preferences. They had taken control of him.
In His teaching, Jesus indicates that certain human conditions are inviting to demons. There is not enough said to provide for the formation of a rigid doctrinal view. However, the Lord did tell us that “unclean spirits” are perceptive of lives that are lived in a sort of moral and spiritual vacuum. They are also capable of rallying other evil spirits, worse than themselves, to repossess people they either willingly left, or were cast out of (Matt 12:43-45; Luke 11:24-26).
Suffice it to say, those who do not devote themselves wholly to the Lord are playing with fire. They are, in a very real way, making themselves available to the hosts of darkness. Perhaps some of us have even witnessed the overtaking of such foolish souls. Let none of us be among them!