And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? All of this sure seems perfectly consistent with calling the same area the country (chra) of either the Gerasenes or the Gadarenes, after the two major cities. The nearby townspeople, upon hearing of the great miracle (and not wanting to suffer further economic loss), begged Christ to leave the Gadarenes and never come back! People who have no appr The exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8.28-34; Mark 5.1-20; Luke 8.26-39), frequently known as the Miracle of the (Gadarene) Swine and the exorcism of Legion, is one of the miracles performed by Jesus according to the New Testament. November 2016 It became one of the proudest cities of Syria. It was situated some 30 miles southeast of Gadara, on the borders of Peraea and a little north of the river Jabbok. Mark 9:17-29). The people were afraid when they saw the possessed man healed. April 2015 It is a violent tempest, that is, outside of the natural. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. No matter where you are on life's journey you are welcome here! September 2015 They had been unable to control these two men [Luke only mentions one man, but Matthew tells us there were two]. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. In fact the region was known as the Gadarenes-Gerasenes region. Mark 5:16 says the thoughts of the people were on the swine. The man, who was naked when he saw Jesus, had the added ability of enduring both freezing and sweltering temperatures as well as pain he inflicted upon himself! Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. There is the so-called demon of doubt, of anger, of overindulgence, of drunkenness, laziness and so on. DEUT 32:8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples, according to the number of the sons of God. (5) Torment. First of all, I believe Mark was attempting to warn his Gentile readers of the great danger of demonic influence and activity. The Gospels use different names for the place where this occurred: This is supposedly a contradiction. Gerasa is (as we know) some 30-35 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, but may have also been the name of the larger region. He could just as easily commanded them to return to the deepest, darkest pit of Hell. Jesus asked a sick man if he wanted to get well. Now they were delivered and ready to be productive members of society. 14). Such seems to be a similar case with Judas (John 13:1-2). Such an entreaty can be addressed by them to only God. . When Jesus asked the demoniac his name, it was not without significance for He was, I believe, asking the demons to reveal their identity. 111 Edersheim maintains that it must have been late the same night of the storm: Most writers have, indeed, suggested, that the healing of the demonized on the other side took place at early dawn of the day following the storm on the lake. Our Lord responded sternly by calling this accusation blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and as such was the one unpardonable sin (verses 28-30). Matthew 12:43-45). Instantly he recognized the Lord Jesus to be the Son of God (verse 7).116 There was a source of spiritual insight beyond human capabilities here. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Why did Jesus have the authority to forgive sins, why did the scribes take it as a blasphemy, and was this authority also given to men in general? February 2016 Although his symptoms would have appeared to be those of an insane man,113 the Gospel writers inform us that he was demon-possessed.114. A land that was essentially under another god (lower case g). xii. Also, frequently associated with demon possession was a super-human strength (cf. SubscribeStart your Register subscription today. Verse 1. Why were the Romans afraid of the Christians? Jesus had been performing miracles in Gods nation - Israel. First of all the Scriptures do not say that the local Pagans were afraid of Jesus, but that they merely begged him to leave their neighbourhood. vi. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. The confrontation between the powers of heaven and hell are nowhere seen in better perspective than in Marks account of the encounter of the Gerasene demoniac with our Lord Jesus Christ. art thou come hither to torment us before the time? There probably were not many who had been told yet of the Messiah, and so were not yet believers. His greatest impact would be on those who knew his former state. 13; Luke iv. But from all of the Gospel accounts, I get the distinct impression that this mans eyes were riveted on Jesus. Rather, they attributed the power of Jesus to Satan (Mark 3:22). The demoniacs were mere maniacs, whom Jesus cured by humouring their fancies; and His giving leave to imaginary demons to enter into the swine, produced the story of the disaster to the herd.All these explanations assume that the Gospel narratives are wholly or in part unhistorical. Plummer, Luke, p. 228. So who was afraid? The lectionary reading for Trinity 1, Year C, is Luke's version of Jesus meeting and healing the demon-possessed man in the 'region of the Gerasenes' (Luke 8.26-39). Mark and Luke, on the other hand, write to more general audiences, and Gerasa was the main Greek-Roman city of the area. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine . Like it or not, demons and demonic activity are likely to become much more of a concern to you in days to come. I was in a dialogue with an atheist regarding what he believes is one of many so-called biblical contradictions. Odd guy that I am, I actually find this sort of thing fun. The capital of the region was Gerasa, and the largest city in the region was Gadera. 2,8) who can possess men and animals. Let me say as graciously as I can, Satan does not need to work on us in those areas as we are doing very well without his exploitation. especially fn. What about us, as Christians, are we afraid of Jesus? 14ff. Why did Jesus not allow demons to proclaim his name, Archaeological or Historical Support for the Gerasene Pigs. The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese, Is there a solutiuon to add special characters from software and how to do it. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. It was scary. August 2020 The pleas of Legion were in response to the command of Jesus for the demons to come out of him (verse 8). 120 The request is in both cases the same; for, according to Jewish notions, certain countries being assigned to evil as well as to good spirits, whose limits they were unable to overpass, to be sent out of their own country, no other being open to them, implied being sent into the abyss, or bottomless pit, since that remains for them alone. Trench, Miracles , p. 101. As the servant of Elisha was told, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them (2 Kings 6:16). 2ff., xvv. 35Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. Such must have been the response of those with our Lord. People who have no appr Fallen people reject God not because they do not know His power. Brazilian Charity Caring for Children Who Survived Abortions Issues Urgent Appeal, Memento Mori: Remember You Are Going to Die, The Meat of the Matter: St. Patricks Day and the Lenten Fast. But here we speak not about a bishop, but about Christ who made His Godhead revealed through devils beseeching Him not to cast them to hell but enter the swine. Smiths Bible Dictionary provides what I find to be a quite plausible explanation (not special pleading at all), and analogous to how we still use place names today: These three names are used indiscriminately to designate the place where Jesus healed two demoniacs. 8; Mark vi. The man, who was naked when he saw Jesus, had the added ability of enduring both freezing and sweltering temperatures as well as pain he inflicted upon himself! September 2018 The pig tenders reported it far and wide, in city and country (verse 14). February 2021 It is ironic that while the demons didnt want to leave the country, the dwellers of that land didnt want the Messiah to stay. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. . At the side of Kersa the shore is level, and there are no tombs. January 2016 Why as the question? Those who had seen it told them how the man who had been demon-possessed had been healed. Jude 6), no longer to afflict men or resist God. They found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. "The name "Gerasenes" is to be associated with the modern city of Jerash, located in Transjordan, 22 miles N of Amman." John McRay, "Gerasenes," ed. This incident in the Gerasenes requires some entry understanding. Once naked, he is now clothed. Since the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave in their fear, it seems that Jesus' ability to exorcise Legion was disturbing to the people. The people were gentiles who had not yet any interest in the Messiah. He had only known Jesus for a few hours, but had already determined to be Jesus' disciple for life. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. May 2016 No! For the reason why this is so we refer the reader to the introduction preceding the exposition of verses 33-7. This story is a little bit of an Easter story. Now appreciate the reaction - another God was messing with their god - and demonstrating authority! Just imagine, a man in a cinema, having bought popcorn and cola and watching an action movie, with a lot of violence and harsh language in it, and then he sees suddenly that a saintly bishop is sitting just next to his seat, not watching the movie, but reading silently psalms with a countenance radiating a deep contemplation; will not the first man be upset and lose all pleasure of watching the movie? Paul says of the former life of the Christian, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 1:1-2). Life with him would be heaven on earth. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. When the townspeople arrived on the scene, they saw the formerly demon-possessed men, clothed, in their right mind and sitting at the feet of Jesus. Then any greatest of men, like any prophet, hero or king? They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. April 2021 At first we may deceive ourselves into thinking that we are controlling them, but the ultimate likelihood is that they will master us. But, the pigs were a part of their economic wealth. That is why the inhabitants of the area are referred to variously in different Bible manuscripts as Gergasenes, Gadarenes, or Gerasenes. 113 According to the Talmud there were four characteristics of madness: walking abroad at night; spending the night on a grave; tearing ones clothes and destroying what one was given. e.g., Matt. 1) He Exposes Evil (v 28-30) . Give a Gift SubscriptionBless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register. It didnt take long for the word to spread quickly. The people (nations) were divided up, and boundaries allocated' and the sons of god were put over these nations. recognizes the military background of the term, pointing out that in the imperial period a legion consisted of 6000 foot soldiers, 120 horsemen and technical personnel. Jesus is conscious that He now breaks the power of the devil and his angels because He is the One in whom the dominion of God is present on behalf of humanity. W. Foerster, as quoted by Lane, Mark, fn. It is amazing to think that people could be fearful of Jesus. ESV - Oh Hye-son recently published a Korean-language memoir on how she and her husband Thae Yong-ho, then deputy ambassador at North Korea's London embassy, defected in 2016. Gergesenes means "those who come from pilgrimage or fight.". 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Hence there was demon-worship, the worship not necessarily of evil spirits; but of the spirits of those who had existed in the Golden Age. G. Campbell Morgan, The Gospel According to Mark (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1927), p. 114. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. If an Israelite, why was he in Gerasene in the first place and why was he living so near a large herd of swine? Putting all of these factors together the term demon-possessed inplies too much. How to show that an expression of a finite type must be one of the finitely many possible values? Here is where Satan can use a man to influence scores of people, blinding minds and hearts to the truths of the Word of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). The best known Gerasa was a Greek city nearly forty miles southeast of the lake (modern village of Khersa, on the east shore of the lake. April 2016 He who feared His arrival now dreaded His departure. It is something like the behavior and personality change in a man who is totally intoxicated. September 2020 June 2022 Order Bulk SubscriptionsGet a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization The price tag of possession was high, for those who fell victim to the demons agonized in constant torment. The reply Legion118 may be some kind of evasion, a reluctance on the part of the demons to individually identify themselves. If he was a pagan, why did Jesus cast out his demons? And, yes, Dana did just read us something about a man possessed by a whole bunch of demons that later go and possess a bunch of hogs. The region is located east of the Jordan River and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. 1, pp. Even the demons confessed that He was the Son of the Most High (Mark 5:7). In the King James Version it is called the country of the Gadarenes in Mark and Luke, and of the Gergesenes in Matthew. Demons are highly organized (cf. and 1 Kings xxii. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Highlights in the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ. Privacy Policy. Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? Why would God tell King David to take a census of the people in verses one through nine, and then cast judgment on him because he did what he told him to do? July 2021 The region was known also as the Decopolis because ten Greek cities were located in the region. Some appeared not to be oppressed by them so much as exploiting their powers (cf. The story shows Jesus exorcising a demon or demons out of a man and into a herd of swine, causing the swine to run down a hill into a lake and drown . 117 so that, by their own confession, a time is coming when there shall be an entire victory of the kingdom of light over that of darkness (Rev. Small sins lead to big sins, and big sins bring about a terrible spiritual darkness. We are seeking a replacement and hope to have it in your newspaper soon. 36Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. The region was not poor or economically depressed. In any event, I love defending the Bible and Christianity. Although it is likely that the larger towns of Galilee were predominantly Gentile, as was the Decapolis, the first-century civilian diet did not . And, it can not be understood properly out of this context. to sign up for our free Water Of The Word newsletter at the top of any page! 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. March 2022 They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Events that are important to our Church Community, Mark 5:1-20 Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac. What was it that caused these people to react in such a way? to men facing fear and death. Note that the texts dont say Gerasa or Gadara, so they arent necessarily referring just to one of the cities. Where it falls apart for me is why the Bellonas, knowing that only one person is allowed to survive each duel, take the defeat so personally. The before and after descriptions of the demoniac reveal that he was a totally different person under demonic influence. Follow Up: struct sockaddr storage initialization by network format-string, How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner, Movie with vikings/warriors fighting an alien that looks like a wolf with tentacles. Why would Jesus ask, "Who touched Me?" Nor was it the Jewish population of Galilee. Gadara is about six miles from the sea. 7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, b he entered Capernaum. We see the first reaction to this in the storm MARK 4:7 And a great windstorm arose [snip]. 123 1. Immediately, as this weary group disembarked from the ship, they were met by what appeared to be a madman. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. They all say country of (in the sense of region, not nation). Luke 8:37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them: for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. It only takes a minute to sign up. A crowd had come to see what had happened for themselves. He did not appear to rush upon the small group of men to attack them (as he would normally have done), but rather to plead with Jesus. Having been properly warned of the demonic underworld, let us not fall into the opposite error of absolute paranoia. So much pain, so much sin. Unfortunately, Christians [or those using the name] can be harsh, condemning and critical driving people further into sin and away from God. February 2015 F. F. Bruce adds additional helpful insight: According to the best texts, Matthew calls it the country of the Gadarenes (viii. Here in Mark, he purposely set out to travel into another land. We should be warned that fooling with these Satanic fronts is like experimenting with drugs. Will they be condemned like unclean animals? Was it fear that a secret sin might be exposed? Others cited unfaithfulness, lack of seriousness, and the lack of confidence to sustain a relationship. As He had landed with His disciples He had been confronted with a demon-possessed man - a man that no one had been able to control. 122 Quoted by Alfred Plummer, The Gospel According to Saint Luke, (Edinburg: T. and T. Clark, 5th ed., 1969): p. 228. The exercising of authority over demons, in the land under another god, was a message. October 2015 How ironic, as others have noted, that the tormentor pleads not to be tormented. January 2021 Will they be rejected? In any event, they were not Israelites, as indicated by the fact that a herd of swine was being kept nearby, which would have been forbidden by the Mosaic Law, since swine were unclean animals (Leviticus 11:7-8). And the people there were scared, they recognised this, but more, they realised the significance of this. These people from the region of the Gerasenes had undoubtedly felt the anger or disgust of Jews for making a career out of such unclean animals, but Jesus had not criticized them for their profession. It was greatly influenced by Greek culture.126. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear (Luke 8:35-37). Many New Testament manuscripts refer to the "Country of the Gadarenes" or "Gerasenes" rather than the Gergesenes. Pigs were specifically set aside as the animal used in sacrifices to their god. Thus an economic lose of revenue was involved. July 2022 Sproul says in his commentary on Mark, When the Holy One is manifest in the midst of unholy people, the only appropriate human response is dread.. Those possessed are depicted throughout as unfortunate sufferers who by no fault of their own are dominated by evil spirits and who, when the spirits are cast out by Jesus, accept their deliverance with joy and gratitude (Mark v. 18-20, Luke viii. (2) Anti-social behavior. From this it is clear that demon-possession is a phenomenon which occurred almost exclusively, but then to be sure on an amazing scale, during Jesus appearance on earth and to a lesser extent during the activity of the apostles. Exercising authority in the land allocated to Abraham, for Israel, the land set aside for God and his people. Just as demons desire to possess persons through whom they can exhibit their personalities, so the Spirit of God indwells man, imparting new life, and progressively gaining control so that the character of God is exhibited, but not in such a way as to hinder our individuality and identity.
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