“ ^{Mark 5:10} And he besought Him much that He would not send them away out of the country. ¹¹Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. ¹²And all the devils besought Him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 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.”

We are being exposed to a rather lengthy account of the work of the Lord. It centers in a single person – not a city, and not a country. In it we have Jesus confronting an army of demons – somewhere in the thousands. He absolutely controls them with His Word. No other engagement is necessary. The power of these demons is seen in their manipulation of the man they possessed. They apparently took him captive at their will – whenever they wanted to do so. Satan is also represented as doing this with certain who are dominated by him (2 Tim 2:26). However, these powerful forces of darkness cannot operate freely in the presence of Jesus. His very presence is disruptive to the powers of darkness – like an invasion of their territory. That is why Satan cannot have His way in the individual in whom the Lord Jesus resides. As it is written, “that wicked one toucheth him not” (1 John 5:18). When the devil has the dominance over an individual, pulling him here and there in unholy involvements, it is because Jesus does not dwell in the person. Sin cannot erupt where Jesus is dwelling within the heart by faith (Eph 3:17). His influence must be rejected for sin to be expressed. If this is not true, what possible advantage can there be to Jesus indwelling a person?

“¹⁰And he besought Him much that he would not send them away out of the country.”

HE BESOUGHT HIM. According to outward appearance, it is the man himself who is speaking to Jesus. However, in actuality, it is a demon – a sort of spokesman for a horde of unclean spirits that is dwelling in and possessing the man. This is not the spirit of the man himself speaking, for if that was the case, when the dismissed, the man would have been left dead – a body without a spirit. Among other things, this shows the extent to which the hosts of darkness can possess a person. They can capture and dominate their thoughts and their speech, as well as their deeds. If we do not “resist the devil,” as we are enjoined to do (1 Pet 5:8-9; James 4:7), there is no guarantee that he will not enter into us and dominate us, just as he did Judas (John 13:27). However men may choose to speculate about this subject, our only protection from the devil, practically speaking, is to remain “steadfast in the faith” (1 Pet 5:9) – to persist in being strong in the faith.

Now, the inferiority of these demons to Jesus is confirmed in this request. The representing demon “besought” Jesus. That is, he “begged,” ^NKJVentreating Him “earnestly.” ^NASB One version reads, “he begged Jesus again and again.” ^NIV That is the meaning of the word used here: speaking with persistence, earnestly asking for, imploring, and begging. ^ROBERTSON Such speaking can only come from a personality who is totally subordinate to Jesus and knows that is the case. Wicked men did not speak to Jesus in this way. The scribes and Pharisees, the Sadducees and lawyers, Pilate and Herod – they made no earnest petition to Jesus. And why not? Only because they did not know who He was. For them, his flesh was an obscuring veil over His Deity. The demons, however, knew who He was!

We may adduce from this that all who fail to yield to Jesus, choosing to walk in their own ways, do so because of their blindness. They simply do not know who He is, even though they may be imagined to be theological experts. In fact, for a professing believer to engage in the expression of sin, he must forget who Jesus is, which is the result of refusing to think upon Him, remember Him, or listen to Him.

NOT SEND HIM AWAY OUT OF THE COUNTRY. The petition of the demons is most intriguing. They “besought Him MUCH that He would not send them away out of the country.” Other versions read, “not to send them out of the area,” ^NIV“away from that territory,” ^NAU“out of the district,” ^NJB“out of the region,” ^YLTHere was a geographic area these demons preferred, and they did not want to leave it. They could apparently work more freely in this region of the Gadarenes. The surroundings were more conducive to wicked freedom. These demons could congregate better in this region, taking hold of individuals, and using them to cause fear, confusion, and disruption.

There are spirits referred to as “the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph 6:12). It is apparent that there are sections of the world in which they can more easily work. In this case, the land of the Gadarenes was preferred by them over Galilee, where Jesus did most of His mighty works (Matt 11:20). It should not surprise us that there are countries, regions, cities, churches, and even individuals, in which Satan can more easily work. There are environments that are more dark than others – “regions” of darkness (Matt 4:16). Jesus can invade these territories, to be sure – but only He can do so. Should someone in whom Jesus is not dwelling attempt to penetrate such areas, they will themselves be overcome by the darkness. Discipline, scholarship, and fleshly power have no impact for righteousness in such regions. If “the power of the Lord” is not present (Lk 5:17), wicked powers cannot be unseated.

Luke provides some further information about the request of these demons. “And they besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep” (Luke 8:31). Mark says one demon made the request, Luke says they all did. The meaning is that the one demon spoke for them all. None of this horde of evil spirits wanted to be expelled from that area. Yet, something more is seen. They begged Jesus not to “command them to go out into the deep,” or “the abyss.” ^NKJVHere we catch a glimpse of God’s mercy toward humanity. Both Peter and Jude inform us of a vast world of fallen spirits that have been delivered “into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment” (2 Pet 2:4). Jude refers to “everlasting chains UNDER darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:6).

Although there is a certain vagueness in these texts, it appears as though there are some fallen spirits who are allowed to range at large, such as those in our text. It seems to me that if all of these spirits were permitted such liberty, the world would fully gravitate to the state of Noah’s world – and maybe even worse. It is a mercy that we contend with only a segment of Satan’s hosts, with the greater part being chained in “the deep.” These demons knew of the place of confinement and did not want to go there. They have great fear concerning their ultimate destiny, and do not want to go there “before the time.”

“¹¹ Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. ¹² And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.”

A GREAT HERD OF SWINE. Here is mention of a condition that, under any other circumstances, would only be incidental – “a great herd of swine feeding.” The word “swine” refers to young pigs. These were being fed, perhaps being fattened for butchering. Mark speaks of their location in reference to the possessed man, saying they were close to “the mountains” in which the man Jesus is confronting is said to have been often found: “in the mountains” (Mk 5:5). Matthew refers to the swine in reference to Jesus and His disciples: “a good way off from them” (Matt 8:31). Luke says the swine were “feeding on the mountain” (Lk 8:32) – apparently the very mountain near which Jesus was standing, probably on the other side of it. Keep in mind, the demoniac had rushed out to meet Jesus as soon as He stepped out of the boat, so this conversation is probably taking place on the seashore.

This circumstance confirms the area was occupied more by Gentiles than by Jews, even though it was a part of the promised land. The swine was an “unclean” animal according to the Law, because it did not chew the cud AND have a cloven hoof. In this case, the swine did have a cloven hoof, but did not chew the cud. Therefore it was “unclean” to the Jews. They were forbidden to eat its flesh or touch its carcase(Lev 11:7; Deut 14:8).

The swine is repeatedly used as a picture of defilement and unacceptability. Solomon likened a beautiful woman without discretion to a “jewel in a swine’s snout” (Prov 11:22). Jesus admonished His disciples not to cast their pearls “before swine” (Matt 7:6). The fall of the prodigal son is depicted as being sent into a field “to feed swine” (Lk 15:15). Peter likened those who fall away to “the sow that was washed” returning “to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Pet 2:22). It is not coincidence that “swine” are involved in this occasion. This man was possessed by an “unclean spirit” (Mk 5:2). It is appropriate, therefore, that the animals in that area were identified as ones that were also “unclean.”

SEND US INTO THE SWINE. Mark says that “all the devils besought him.” There was perfect accord among them, for their natures were the same. Matthew says of their petition, “If Thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine” (Matt 8:31). Even though these were unclean animals, the demons could not enter into them without permission. How much less can they enter into the sheep of Christ’s pasture (Psa 100:3).

Notice that the demons made no request to enter into another man or group of men – even though there were wicked men in that area who would later ask Jesus to leave “their coasts” (Mk 5:17). It is a mercy that Jesus did not dismiss these oppressive demons from that poor man to enter into the unworthy people of that area. It was certainly not because they were any better than this possessed man. Jesus could very well have spoken to them as He did to others who had known of a tower that fell upon eighteen men, killing them all. “Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4-5).

The swine made no request to enter into any clean animals (Deut 14:6) that may have been in the area, such as cattle. These demons appeared to have known what options were open to them. They made no request to enter any other man, nor did they ask to inhabit animals that could have been used for sacrifice to the Living God.

There is an indication here that the demons prefer to be in a body – a house within which they can work. There are two different views that can be taken of this matter. First, that the demons simply desire to be in some kind of body. I do not doubt that this is true, yet feel it is deeper than that. The demons, like the one who leads them, are bent on doing evil. They cannot stand the thought of not being able to carry out their wicked desires, hurting, causing disruption, and doing all manner of mischief. Wherever they are found, they are at work. If it is not catching the man before Jesus, and driving him like a wild man into the mountains and wilderness, it is causing a women to be bowed in two, or a child to jump into fire and water, or some other form of moral and physical confusion. They can even inhabit the things men possess – like a herd of swine.

The point is that they did not want their activity among men suppressed. They are not content to work among the world of spirits. They have joined their leader’s wicked work to “make war” against the sons of God (Rev 11:7; 12:17). If he cannot gain access to them, he will disrupt the environment around them, seeking to wash them away with a flood that impacts on others as well (Rev 12:15-16). It is not possible to overstate the diabolical nature of these fallen spirits. If men had no other knowledge than this, they would flee with great haste to Jesus “for refuge.” To be ignorant of these spirits puts men at an unspeakable disadvantage.

“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.”

JESUS GAVE THEM LEAVE. Matthew reads, “And He said unto them, Go (“Begone!” ^NASB)” (Matt 8:32). Luke reads, “And He suffered them (“He gave them permission” ^NASB)” (Lk 8:32). The involvement of the Lord with His creation, both personal and impersonal, is very detailed. In this case, wicked spirits from the spiritual underworld could not enter into a herd of swine without Christ’s “permission.” Jesus taught that two insignificant sparrows could not be sold for a “farthing,” nor could a single one of them “fall to the ground,” independently of God’s will (Matt 10:29). The Psalmist affirmed that wild animals had offspring according to “the voice of the Lord.” Lightning flashes forth at His word, ands even the bark is stripped off of trees at His command (Psa 29:7-9). It certainly should not surprise us that evil spirits are held in check by the word of the Lord, and even a hair cannot grow or fall from our head without Him (Luke 12:7).

Why did Jesus not consign these wicked spirits to “the abyss” which they so dreaded? Was it that He had mercy upon them? Indeed not! It was not yet time for them to be consigned to their final place. Indeed, the saints would have a part in judging them, and therefore they must wait until the day appointed to enter their final abode – “everlasting fire” (1 Cor 6:3; Matt 25:41).

We ought to learn from this occasion not to judge our circumstances quickly, or assume that things are hopeless when not a ray of expectation can be perceived in the course of nature or among the sons of men. The account of the Gadarene demoniac confirms that once the Son of God enters into the situation, there is no such thing as “hopeless.” His presence dispels hopelessness, and renders the powers of darkness impotent. The very spirits that dominated this poor man, driving him into the mountains and the wilderness, became nothing more than pleading spirits in the presence of the Lord of glory. Hope rises with the Sun of righteousness.

THEY ENTERED INTO THE SWINE. Mark says “the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine.” Matthew says “when they were come out, they went into the swine” (Matt 8:32). Luke says, “Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine” (Lk 8:32). Whatever the animal rights advocates may say, it is better for demons to be in the beasts of the field than in those who are made in the image of God! If this were not the case, Jesus would never have given these demons “permission” to enter the swine. I do not know if this is the only time such permission was granted. However, I am suspicious that, according to the request of the demons, and the readiness of Jesus to give them permission, this is not an isolated incident. Be sure of this: much more is going on in this world than is seen with the eye.

THE REACTION OF THE HERD. Immediately, the swine rushed like a wild stampede down the mountain into the lake, and were drowned. ^NIVMatthew says “the whole herd” ran down “a steep place” into the sea and “perished in the waters” (Matt 8:32). Luke says they were “choked” in the sea (Lk 8:33). Impetuously the whole herd bolted, and in a sudden stampede lurched forward toward the sea to their own death.

Notice that this herd of swine did not endeavor to attack Jesus. They did not seek to run over His disciples, or lash out against their keepers. They did not rush into the city to wreak havoc among the sons of men. What is more, they could not do to the man they were forced to leave what they did to the swine into which they entered! Jesus was in control of this whole event, even before He landed on the Gadarene shore!

Even the brute beasts cannot conduct themselves in a normal manner when inhabited by evil spirits! Is it any wonder that those who bare the rational image of God can become deranged and unstable under the influence of the devil and his host?

MAN AND SPIRITS. Mark provides a general count of the number of swine that perished: “about two thousand.” All of those demons had formerly dwelt in a single man, moving him to do things that no man in his right mind would do. First, we note that there is some form of compatibility between humanity and spirits. As Job well said, “There is a spirit in man” (Job 32:8). That unseen part can be joined to an evil spirit (or multiple spirits), and be constrained to act in total contradiction of God. However, it is also possible for that unseen part to be “joined to the Lord,” becoming “one spirit” with Him (1 Cor 6:17).

We have in this text a picture of the extremities of man’s capacity. On the one hand we have one man inhabited by enough demons to fill and move 2,000 swine. On the other, we have the Son of God, to whom God “gave not the Spirit by measure” (John 3:34).

What person of sound mind is capable of conceiving how much of the Holy Spirit can dwell in a person? What is the extent of the expression, “that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph 3:19). It ought to be obvious that none among us has exhausted the possibilities found in Jesus. The contemplation of what we can be in Jesus is worthy of much consideration.