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In this lesson:
Jesus controls the wind and sea (4:35-41). Jesus goes to the Gentiles. The demons and pigs of Gadara (5:1-20). Study Tip: Try putting tricky passages into your own words! This makes it easier to understand each verse and helps you remember it longer. |
Jesus heals the possessed man
By the Dutch visual artist Jan van 't Hoff |
Where was -
Decapolis -
Decapolis was not a single town. It was a confederation of ten independent Greek cities located east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. In 65 BC, the Romans conquered Syria and colonized the area. They established Decapolis, developed it, and granted its citizens special privileges. This alliance of ten cities stretched from the Sea of Galilee southward to Philadelphia (modern-day Amman). All but one of the ten cities, Scythopolis (Beth Shan), were located east of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Mentioned three times in the New Testament, Decapolis was populated mainly by Gentiles. Jesus traveled to Decapolis several times (Mark 7:31) and found many followers there (Matthew 4:25).
Decapolis -
Decapolis was not a single town. It was a confederation of ten independent Greek cities located east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. In 65 BC, the Romans conquered Syria and colonized the area. They established Decapolis, developed it, and granted its citizens special privileges. This alliance of ten cities stretched from the Sea of Galilee southward to Philadelphia (modern-day Amman). All but one of the ten cities, Scythopolis (Beth Shan), were located east of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Mentioned three times in the New Testament, Decapolis was populated mainly by Gentiles. Jesus traveled to Decapolis several times (Mark 7:31) and found many followers there (Matthew 4:25).
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:
"The same day." (4:35) - This is the same day that Jesus gave the three parables of the candle, farmer, and mustard seed (see lesson 70). "When the even was come." (4:35) - Means "When evening had come." "The other side." (4:35) - The "other side" refers to the east coast 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. "So that it was now full." (4:37) - The ship was filling with water and in danger of sinking. "He was in the hinder part of the ship." (4:38) - "He (Jesus) was in the stern of the ship." "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (4:40) - Jesus is scolding His disciples for their lack of faith. "They feared exceedingly." (4:41) - The disciples weren't afraid of the storm; Jesus had calmed it. They feared God's awesome power. "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) - This man was possessed by an unclean spirit, a demon (Revelation 16:13-14). "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." "Worshipped him." (5:6) - Even demons know who Jesus is and worship Him. "Most high God." (5:7) - A common term used by both Jews and Gentiles. The demon is acknowledging that Jesus is the true living God. "I adjure thee." (5:7) - "I beg you." More proof that demons know who Jesus is and that He has power over them. "My name is Legion: for we are many." (5:9) - See verse 5:13 to learn how many demons possessed the man. "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." "Send us into the swine." (5:12) - The demons would rather live in pigs than where Jesus was going to send them. "Forthwith Jesus gave them leave." (5:13) - "Immediately, Jesus gave them (the demons) permission (to enter the pigs)." "The herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand)." (5:13) - Apparently, demons can control people but not pigs. "Choked in the sea." (5:13) - "Drowned in the sea." "They that fed the swine fled." (5:14) - The Law of Moses declared pigs unclean (Leviticus 11:7-8), so Jews weren't allowed to eat or even touch one. These pigs almost certainly were tended by Gentiles (non-Jews). "They that saw it told them how it befell to him." (5:16) - "Witnesses told what happened to the possessed man." "They began to pray him to depart out of their coasts." (5:17) - Fearful of the stunning display they just witnessed, frightened 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) - Because Jesus was well known in Galilee and there was a movement to make Him king; the Messiah instructed a healed leper not to tell anyone how he had been healed (Matthew 8:4). But now in pagan, Gentile Gadara, Jesus wanted the news of His ministry to be spread throughout the area. Additional Note: Spreading the news of how Jesus had rid him of the demons was an important assignment for the healed man. Today, Jesus still expects Christians to tell their family and friends the great things God has done for them. "Began to publish in Decapolis." (5:20) - "Began to spread the news in Decapolis." Remember, Decapolis was made up of ten different cities. "All men did marvel." (5:20) - This was not the only time Jesus amazed people (Matthew 9:8; 9:33; John 5:20; 7:21). |
Matthew also tells how Jesus calmed the sea in Matthew 8:24-27 (lesson 15). The story is verified again in Luke 8:22-25
(lesson 122). The story of the Gerasene demoniac is also told in Matthew 8:28-34 (lesson 15) and Luke 8:26-37 (lesson 122).
(lesson 122). The story of the Gerasene demoniac is also told in Matthew 8:28-34 (lesson 15) and Luke 8:26-37 (lesson 122).
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 text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase of the Bible. 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 text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase of the Bible. 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 Jesus was with the disciples, why did they fear storm? (4:40)
"All I want is to enter the house of the lord justified."
Steve Judd (played by Joel McCrea) in the 1962 movie "Ride the High Country."
1. Since Jesus was with the disciples, why did they fear storm? (4:40)
"All I want is to enter the house of the lord justified."
Steve Judd (played by Joel McCrea) in the 1962 movie "Ride the High Country."
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. By now the disciples believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but they didn't fully comprehend the implications. They were still growing in faith and 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 sea. No one had ever witnessed such miracles before. Jesus must have seemed like an alien to them.
Calming the storm was another in a series of miracles that opened the disciple's minds to the power of Jesus. Like the disciples, we still have much to learn about the Messiah.
Application thought for the day:
The stormy sea put the disciples and their small boat in danger. They turned to Jesus for help, but He was asleep (4:38) and seemingly oblivious to their fear. Even these devout followers of Christ wondered if He cared about them (4:38).
Nothing has changed; today, people still wonder whether the Lord cares 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 ready to calm your storms if you ask in 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 properly, 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; "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; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Reader's Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; 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; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke