Keraia
Mark 5

Mark 5:13

The Demons and the Pigs · Mark 5:1–20
Read Mark 5

Translations

Modern
He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And He allowed them. And the unclean spirits, having gone out, entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea—about two thousand—and they were drowned in the sea.
Latin
Et concessit eis statim Jesus. Et exeuntes spiritus immundi introierunt in porcos: et magno impetu grex præcipitatus est in mare ad duo millia, et suffocati sunt in mari.

Interlinear

Greek
English
He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water.

Notes

Mark 5:10–13

The spirits kept begging Jesus, which shows his authority over them. Jesus allowed them to enter a herd of about 2,000 pigs. The pigs show that this was Gentile (non-Jewish) territory.

Some people focus on the loss of the pigs or ask why Jesus allowed the demons to destroy them. But Mark and his audience focused on how Jesus saved the man.

Mark 5:1–20

Jesus and the disciples reached the other side of the lake, finishing the journey started in 4:35. As in 1:21–28 and 3:11, the demons recognized that Jesus was the Son of the Most High God (1:34). For the first time in the Gospel of Mark, a Gentile was healed by Jesus (see study note on 5:10–13; compare 7:24–30).

Mark 4:35–5:43

The three miracle stories in this section are connected by:

  • a shared location (the Sea of Galilee),

  • the presence of the disciples,

  • the use of a boat, and

  • a common theme, "Who is this" (4:41).

Events

Parallels

Matthew 8:28–34 Luke 8:26–39

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Demon-Possession Heal, Healing Legion Mark, Gospel of Miracle

Topics

Animals: Possessed of Devils Demons: Two Men of the Gergesenes (Gadarenes, Gerasenes) Exorcism Gadarenes: Jesus Visits and Works Miracles Among, but is Rejected Jesus, the Christ: Miracle of the Swine (In Gadara) Jesus, the Christ: Miracles of The Demoniacs in Gadara (Gerasa) Healed Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Throws Demons out of Two Men of Gadara (Gerasa) Swine: Jesus Sends Demons Into The