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In this lesson:
Jesus goes to the Gentiles. Controls nature. Demons and pigs. Study Tip: Put difficult passages into your own words. This helps you find more meaning in each verse, and to retain it longer. |
The healing of the possessed man
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Where was -
Decapolis -
Decapolis was a confederation of ten cities located to the east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. This alliance of cities stretched from the Sea of Galilee southward to Philadelphia (modern day Amman). Mentioned three times in the New Testament, Decapolis was populated mainly by Gentiles. In 65 BC the Romans took control of the area after conquering Syria.
They rebuilt Decapolis and gave its citizens special privileges. Jesus traveled to Decapolis several times (Mark 7:31) and found many followers there (Matthew 4:25; Mark 5:1-20).
Decapolis -
Decapolis was a confederation of ten cities located to the east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. This alliance of cities stretched from the Sea of Galilee southward to Philadelphia (modern day Amman). Mentioned three times in the New Testament, Decapolis was populated mainly by Gentiles. In 65 BC the Romans took control of the area after conquering Syria.
They rebuilt Decapolis and gave its citizens special privileges. Jesus traveled to Decapolis several times (Mark 7:31) and found many followers there (Matthew 4:25; Mark 5:1-20).
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Mark: 4:35-5:20
Calming the storm 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark: Chapter 5:1-20 Banishing demons 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, 3 Who 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. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 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. 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. 14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. |
Margin notes:
"When the even was come." (4:35) - Means, "When evening had come." "The other side." (4:35) - The "other side" refers to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, an area populated mostly by Gentiles. The teaching by parables (lesson 70) took place on the western shore of Galilee, now Jesus was going to the eastern coast. "So that it was now full." (4:37) - The ship was filling with water and endanger of sinking. "He was in the hinder part of the ship." (4:38) - "He was in the stern of the ship." "They feared exceedingly." (4:41) - The disciples weren't fearing the storm, it had been calmed. They feared the awesome power of God. "Gadarenes." (5:1) - Citizens of Gadara, one of the ten cities that made up the Decapolis. Also, called Gergesenes in Matthew 8:28. "Tombs." (5:2) - People were frequently buried in caves or hollowed out limestone. These could also provide shelter to the homeless. "A man with an unclean spirit." (5:2) - "A man possessed by a demon." "Fetters and chains." (5:4) - "Shackles and chains." "The chains had been plucked asunder by him." (5:4) - "The chains had been pulled apart by him." "Neither could any man tame him." (5:4) - "No one could subdue him." "Most high God." (5:7) - A common term used by both Jews and Gentiles. As used here, it identifies Jesus as the true living God and distinguishes Him from all false Gods. "I adjure thee." (5:7) - "I beg you." The demon knew who Jesus was and that He had complete power over him. "He besought him." (5:10) - "He begged him." "There was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding." (5:11) - "Near the mountains, there was a large herd of pigs eating." The Law of Moses declared pigs unclean (Leviticus 11:7-8). Since Jews weren't to eat or even touch one, these pigs almost certainly belonged to a Gentile. "Forthwith Jesus gave them leave." (5:13) - "Immediately, Jesus gave them permission." "Choked in the sea." (5:13) - "Drowned in the sea." "They that saw it told them how it befell to him." (5:16) - "Witnesses told what happened to him." "They began to pray him to depart out of their coasts." (5:17) - Fearful of the stunning display they just witnessed, people begged Jesus to leave. "Jesus suffered him not." (5:19) - "Jesus didn't allow him." "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee." (5:19) - Jesus wanted the great news of His ministry to be spread throughout this pagan, Gentile area. Additional Note: Nothing has changed; still today Jesus expects Christians to tell their family and friends the great things God has done for them. This is an important assignment. "Began to publish in Decapolis." (5:20) - "Began to proclaim in Decapolis." Remember, Decapolis was made up of separate ten cities. |
Matthew also tells us how Jesus calmed the sea in Matthew 8:24-27 (lesson 15). The story is verified in Luke 8:22-25.
New Living Translation
Mark: 4:35-5:20
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake."
36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).
37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
40 Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
Mark 5:1-20
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.
2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him.
3 This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain.
4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles-as he often was-he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.
5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him.
7 With a shriek, he screamed, "Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don't torture me!"
8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, "Come out of the man, you evil spirit."
9 Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"
And he replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man."
10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby.
12 "Send us into those pigs," the spirits begged. "Let us enter them."
13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened.
15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.
16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs.
17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him.
19 But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."
20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake."
36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).
37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
40 Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
Mark 5:1-20
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.
2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him.
3 This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain.
4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles-as he often was-he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.
5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him.
7 With a shriek, he screamed, "Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don't torture me!"
8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, "Come out of the man, you evil spirit."
9 Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"
And he replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man."
10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby.
12 "Send us into those pigs," the spirits begged. "Let us enter them."
13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened.
15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.
16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs.
17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him.
19 But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."
20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (4:37-39)
"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 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." (5:12-13)
"And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel." (5:18-20)
"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 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." (5:12-13)
"And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel." (5:18-20)
Today's Question:
1. Since the disciples had Jesus in the boat with them, why were they afraid of the storm? (4:40)
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1. Since the disciples had Jesus in the boat with them, why were they afraid of the storm? (4:40)
Create a "folder" in your inbox to store the lessons. That way you can refer to them later.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. By now the disciples believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but they didn't fully comprehend all the implications. They were still growing in faith and their understanding of Jesus. They were in awe of Him, but apprehensive. Here was a man who could order about demons, heal the sick, and command the wind and the sea. They had never witnessed anything like this before. Jesus must have seemed like an alien to them. Calming the storm was another in a series of incidents that helped open the disciple's minds to the power of Jesus. Just like the disciples, there is much we have to learn about the Messiah.
Application thought for the day:
The stormy sea endangered the disciples and their small boat. They turned to Jesus for help, but He was asleep (4:38) and seemingly oblivious to their concerns. Even these devout followers of Christ wondered if He cared what happened to them (4:38). Nothing has changed; still today people wonder if the Lord is concerned about them and their problems. When you face a crisis, reject the fear and doubt, remember the stormy sea, and put your trust in Christ. Jesus is prepared to calm your storms if you ask Him out of faith. Don't underestimate His power and don't look for the obvious solution. Our Lord knows what is best for us and will intervene in the proper way, at the appropriate time, and sometimes in unexpected and remarkable ways.
Remember Jesus' words; "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" (4:40)
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke