Mark 5:15
Verse
Context
The Demons and the Pigs
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
Sermons
David Wilkerson
J. Glyn Owen
John Piper
Percy Ray
Ray GreenlySummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
That - had the legion - This is omitted by D, and two others, Ethiopic, Persic, Vulgate, and all the Itala but one. Mill, Bengel, and Griesbach, think it should be omitted.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And they come to Jesus--Matthew (Mat 8:34) says, "Behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus." and see him that was possessed with the devil--the demonized person. and had the legion, sitting--"at the feet of Jesus," adds Luke (Luk 8:35); in contrast with his former wild and wandering habits. and clothed--As our Evangelist had not told us that he "ware no clothes," the meaning of this statement could only have been conjectured but for "the beloved physician" (Luk 8:27), who supplies the missing piece of information here. This is a striking case of what are called Undesigned Coincidences amongst the different Evangelists; one of them taking a thing for granted, as familiarly known at the time, but which we should never have known but for one or more of the others, and without the knowledge of which some of their statements would be unintelligible. The clothing which the poor man would feel the want of the moment his consciousness returned to him, was doubtless supplied to him by some of the Twelve. and in his right mind--but now, oh, in what a lofty sense! (Compare an analogous, though a different kind of case, Dan 4:34-37). and they were afraid--Had this been awe only, it had been natural enough; but other feelings, alas! of a darker kind, soon showed themselves.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And they come to Jesus,.... Who had wrought this miracle, and of which, and whom, the keepers of the swine had given them some account: and see him that was possessed of the devil, and had a legion. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions leave out the last clause, "and had a legion", and so Beza's ancient copy; the Persic version renders it, "the legion being gone out of him": they saw, along with Jesus, the man who had been possessed with a legion of devils, whom they knew very well to be the same man; sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid; not of the man, as they were before, when he was possessed, not daring to come that way because of him; but of Christ, and his amazing power; who was able to dispossess a legion of devils, and restore a man to his perfect senses, to such composure and decency, who was before in such a dreadful condition, and so exceeding furious and outrageous: they saw the man was still and quiet, harmless and inoffensive; they had nothing to fear from him; but they knew not what to make of Christ: they might take him for an exorcist, or a magician, and fear that he would exercise his art to the ruin and destruction of them: they did not fear and reverence him as a divine person, but they dreaded him, as one possessed of a power of doing hurt: they were conscious to themselves of their sins, and that they deserved the just judgments of God upon them; and they were afraid that Christ was sent to execute them upon them: and it is observable, that they say not one word to him, by way of complaint, for the loss of their swine; but thought themselves well off, could they but get rid of him. There was a strange change and alteration in the man; he, who before was running about among the tombs, and upon the mountains, and scarce ever sat still, but was always in motion, as persons distracted commonly are, was now sitting at the feet of Jesus, his kind benefactor, Luk 8:35, and he who before was naked, and whenever any clothes were put upon him, tore them off again, and to pieces, as madmen usually do, was now "clothed"; perhaps with some the swine herds had left behind them, in their fright, or the disciples had with them: and he who before was quite out of his senses, knew not what he said, or did, was now "in his right mind"; of a sound mind, of a good understanding, sober, modest, and knowing. This man, as whilst under the possession of Satan, was an emblem of a man in a natural estate; so, being now dispossessed, he very aptly represented a converted man; who, being brought out of a state of nature, out of an horrible pit, a pit wherein is no water, is "sitting" at the feet of Jesus; where he places himself, imploring his grace and mercy, entreating him to receive and save him, resolving, if he perishes, he will perish there; and where he is, as a scholar, at the feet of his master, hearing his words, and receiving instruction from him; and which also is expressive of his submission to his Gospel and ordinances, and of pleasure and continuance under them; as well as of that calmness and serenity of mind, which attends a sense of justification, pardon, reconciliation, and adoption, and hope of glory: and whereas, before he was naked, and without a righteousness, or, which was no better than filthy rags; he is now "clothed" with the robe of righteousness, and garments of salvation, with fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of the saints, with change of raiment, and clothing of wrought gold; the righteousness of Christ being not only imputed to him by the Father, but revealed in the Gospel, brought near by the Spirit, and put upon him, and received by faith; as well as having put on the new man, and being clothed with humility, and other graces of the Spirit, and with the garments of a holy conversation; and so will at last be clothed with the shining robes of immortality and glory. Such an one, who before was not himself, is now "in his right mind"; is come to himself like the prodigal; is become sensible of the evil of sin, and is brought to true repentance for it; and of his lost state and condition, of his need of Christ, and salvation by him; has his spiritual senses exercised upon Christ; beholds the loveliness and suitableness of him as a Saviour, hears his voice, handles him, the word of life, tastes the sweetness there is in him, and in his Gospel, and savours the things of his Spirit; and whose senses also are exercised to discern between good and evil, and truth and error; who likewise has a new heart, and a right Spirit created in him; and has the same mind in him, as was in Jesus Christ, for humility and lowliness; and whose mind is stayed upon him, and trusts in him.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
5:15-16 The contrast between the former and present condition of the man who had been possessed was a testimony of Jesus’ saving power.
Mark 5:15
The Demons and the Pigs
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Prison Houses
By David Wilkerson3.4K1:17:16JDG 16:20ISA 42:22MAT 6:33MRK 5:15ROM 6:61CO 15:36In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful story of a man named Bob who was tormented by a demonic spirit for four years. The preacher and Bob took authority over the demons in Jesus' name, causing them to flee. However, Bob later found himself trapped in an invisible circle and asked how he got there. The preacher emphasizes that education, Bible knowledge, and a godly upbringing alone cannot save someone from the power of sin. He encourages listeners to die to their habits and flesh in order to find deliverance. The sermon references the story of the man possessed by demons in Mark 5 as an example of Jesus' power to set people free.
Man With an Unclean Spirit
By J. Glyn Owen1.8K58:22Unclean SpiritMRK 4:39MRK 5:9MRK 5:15MRK 5:19MRK 5:30MRK 5:41In this sermon, the preacher discusses the events leading up to the passage in Mark chapter 5 where Jesus calms the storm on the lake. He highlights the growing rejection of Jesus by religious leaders and the bitterness that ultimately leads to his crucifixion. The preacher suggests that chapter 5 aims to show Jesus' power and authority over demonic forces, following his display of power over natural forces in the previous chapter. The sermon also mentions the healing of a demon-possessed man and the subsequent loss of two hundred pigs, which caused a stir among the people in the surrounding area.
1999 Advent Week 3 - Mary Magdalene
By John Piper1.7K14:09MAT 11:28MAT 20:22MRK 5:6MRK 5:15MRK 5:18LUK 8:2JHN 8:36In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Mary Magdalene and her encounter with Jesus. Mary, who had been possessed by seven demons, is freed by Jesus and becomes a devoted follower. The preacher emphasizes the power of Jesus to heal and transform lives, using Mary as an example. The sermon also touches on the story of Herod Antipas and his fear of John the Baptist, highlighting the consequences of rejecting God's word.
Naked Man in a Country Graveyard
By Percy Ray9231:09:07MAT 8:28MRK 5:2MRK 5:15MRK 5:18LUK 8:26In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the negative impact of society and the law on individuals. He highlights how society fails to provide support and guidance, leading people to commit crimes and end up back in prison. The preacher calls for an awakening of the church and the practice of Christianity as the only hope for humanity. He then shares the story of a man who was wild and uncontrollable, but Jesus transformed him and gave him new clothes. However, the man's possession by demons caused havoc in the community, and even the law couldn't control him.
K-526 Tv Show Part 10 a Jew Inwardly
By Art Katz72628:28InterviewMAT 28:19MRK 5:15MRK 16:15JHN 12:32JHN 13:202CO 4:62CO 5:17In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of coming to know God. He explains that he was initially self-assured and opinionated, but eventually recognized the futility of his life. During a year of traveling, he encountered people who knew God and their testimonies opened his understanding. Ultimately, he had a revelation of God in Jerusalem and joined a congregation of Jewish believers. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a transformed life and the light of God shining through one's own actions and words in order to effectively witness to others. He also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in this process.
When Hope Is All Gone, Help Is on the Way
By Greg Locke72659:54MAT 6:33MRK 5:1MRK 5:15MRK 5:19MRK 5:25In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Mark chapter 5 and verse 1 as the text for the night. He highlights that in the 43 verses of this chapter, there are three hopeless situations that Jesus miraculously resolves. The first situation involves a man possessed by the devil, whose daughter has died. Despite the lack of hope, Jesus intervenes and brings the girl back to life. The preacher then shares his personal journey of finding hope in Jesus, despite his troubled past. He emphasizes that Jesus can turn any hopeless situation into something that honors and glorifies his name.
Breaking the Lie of Satan
By Ray Greenly25843:17SatanMAT 16:18MAT 22:39MRK 5:15LUK 8:27JHN 10:10ACT 20:35In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for excitement and power in the church. They express dissatisfaction with the lack of energy and passion in worship and compare it to the excitement found in worldly activities. The speaker encourages the congregation to reject the lies of Satan and instead embrace the power and joy that comes from following Jesus. They urge the listeners to start loving people radically and generously, suggesting that this will bring about a transformation and release spiritual power in their lives.
Moral Insanity
By Aaron Hills0GEN 6:5PRO 1:7ECC 9:3ISA 1:6MRK 5:15LUK 15:17ROM 6:231TH 5:23HEB 3:15REV 3:17Aaron Hills preaches about the wickedness and moral insanity of the human heart as described in the Bible. He emphasizes how sinners are full of evil and behave as if morally insane, neglecting eternal treasures for temporary pleasures, harming their loved ones, and treating reality as fiction while embracing lies. Hills points out that sinners disregard their spiritual possessions, attempt impossibilities, and reject counsel, ultimately leading to their impending doom. Despite this moral madness, Jesus has the power to cure completely and restore sanity through conversion and sanctification.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
That - had the legion - This is omitted by D, and two others, Ethiopic, Persic, Vulgate, and all the Itala but one. Mill, Bengel, and Griesbach, think it should be omitted.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And they come to Jesus--Matthew (Mat 8:34) says, "Behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus." and see him that was possessed with the devil--the demonized person. and had the legion, sitting--"at the feet of Jesus," adds Luke (Luk 8:35); in contrast with his former wild and wandering habits. and clothed--As our Evangelist had not told us that he "ware no clothes," the meaning of this statement could only have been conjectured but for "the beloved physician" (Luk 8:27), who supplies the missing piece of information here. This is a striking case of what are called Undesigned Coincidences amongst the different Evangelists; one of them taking a thing for granted, as familiarly known at the time, but which we should never have known but for one or more of the others, and without the knowledge of which some of their statements would be unintelligible. The clothing which the poor man would feel the want of the moment his consciousness returned to him, was doubtless supplied to him by some of the Twelve. and in his right mind--but now, oh, in what a lofty sense! (Compare an analogous, though a different kind of case, Dan 4:34-37). and they were afraid--Had this been awe only, it had been natural enough; but other feelings, alas! of a darker kind, soon showed themselves.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And they come to Jesus,.... Who had wrought this miracle, and of which, and whom, the keepers of the swine had given them some account: and see him that was possessed of the devil, and had a legion. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions leave out the last clause, "and had a legion", and so Beza's ancient copy; the Persic version renders it, "the legion being gone out of him": they saw, along with Jesus, the man who had been possessed with a legion of devils, whom they knew very well to be the same man; sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid; not of the man, as they were before, when he was possessed, not daring to come that way because of him; but of Christ, and his amazing power; who was able to dispossess a legion of devils, and restore a man to his perfect senses, to such composure and decency, who was before in such a dreadful condition, and so exceeding furious and outrageous: they saw the man was still and quiet, harmless and inoffensive; they had nothing to fear from him; but they knew not what to make of Christ: they might take him for an exorcist, or a magician, and fear that he would exercise his art to the ruin and destruction of them: they did not fear and reverence him as a divine person, but they dreaded him, as one possessed of a power of doing hurt: they were conscious to themselves of their sins, and that they deserved the just judgments of God upon them; and they were afraid that Christ was sent to execute them upon them: and it is observable, that they say not one word to him, by way of complaint, for the loss of their swine; but thought themselves well off, could they but get rid of him. There was a strange change and alteration in the man; he, who before was running about among the tombs, and upon the mountains, and scarce ever sat still, but was always in motion, as persons distracted commonly are, was now sitting at the feet of Jesus, his kind benefactor, Luk 8:35, and he who before was naked, and whenever any clothes were put upon him, tore them off again, and to pieces, as madmen usually do, was now "clothed"; perhaps with some the swine herds had left behind them, in their fright, or the disciples had with them: and he who before was quite out of his senses, knew not what he said, or did, was now "in his right mind"; of a sound mind, of a good understanding, sober, modest, and knowing. This man, as whilst under the possession of Satan, was an emblem of a man in a natural estate; so, being now dispossessed, he very aptly represented a converted man; who, being brought out of a state of nature, out of an horrible pit, a pit wherein is no water, is "sitting" at the feet of Jesus; where he places himself, imploring his grace and mercy, entreating him to receive and save him, resolving, if he perishes, he will perish there; and where he is, as a scholar, at the feet of his master, hearing his words, and receiving instruction from him; and which also is expressive of his submission to his Gospel and ordinances, and of pleasure and continuance under them; as well as of that calmness and serenity of mind, which attends a sense of justification, pardon, reconciliation, and adoption, and hope of glory: and whereas, before he was naked, and without a righteousness, or, which was no better than filthy rags; he is now "clothed" with the robe of righteousness, and garments of salvation, with fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of the saints, with change of raiment, and clothing of wrought gold; the righteousness of Christ being not only imputed to him by the Father, but revealed in the Gospel, brought near by the Spirit, and put upon him, and received by faith; as well as having put on the new man, and being clothed with humility, and other graces of the Spirit, and with the garments of a holy conversation; and so will at last be clothed with the shining robes of immortality and glory. Such an one, who before was not himself, is now "in his right mind"; is come to himself like the prodigal; is become sensible of the evil of sin, and is brought to true repentance for it; and of his lost state and condition, of his need of Christ, and salvation by him; has his spiritual senses exercised upon Christ; beholds the loveliness and suitableness of him as a Saviour, hears his voice, handles him, the word of life, tastes the sweetness there is in him, and in his Gospel, and savours the things of his Spirit; and whose senses also are exercised to discern between good and evil, and truth and error; who likewise has a new heart, and a right Spirit created in him; and has the same mind in him, as was in Jesus Christ, for humility and lowliness; and whose mind is stayed upon him, and trusts in him.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
5:15-16 The contrast between the former and present condition of the man who had been possessed was a testimony of Jesus’ saving power.