Mark 5:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.

NIV: They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.

NASB: They came to the other side of the sea, into the region of the Gerasenes.

CSB: They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes.

NLT: So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.

KJV: And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

NKJV: Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.

Jesus and the disciples have escaped the crowd on the western side of the Sea of Galilee and arrived on the eastern shore. The area in general is known as Decapolis—meaning "ten cities"—although throughout history the precise names and numbers of the cities have varied. The exact location of this event varies by account. Matthew 8:28 says "the country of the Gadarenes." Mark and Luke 8:26 both say "Gerasenes." The King James Version uses "Gergesenes" in Matthew and "Gadarenes" in Mark and Luke. Gergesa was a small town by the eastern shore of the sea; Gergesenes was its country and Gerasa was the capital. Gergesa was similar to a state or district to the larger country of Gadarenes (with the capital Gadara). At the time of Christ, the Jews, whom Matthew wrote to, were more familiar with the country of Gadarenes, while the Romans, whom Mark and Luke wrote to, knew the city of Gerasa. This is somewhat similar to how modern people sometimes refer the same city or region using different names, per local custom.

Since Gerasa was about thirty miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the disciples probably landed near Gergesa, closer to the shore. The people mentioned in Mark 5:14 likely lived in this town. Gergesa is probably equal to the modern-day town of Kursi, or "Gersa," in the Golan Heights. There are still tombs in the area where the poorest people lived, and two miles away is a steep slope about 120 feet from the shore where the pigs might have met their death.

We are not told why Jesus came to this area. He may have just been seeking respite from the crowds and a quiet space to teach the disciples (Mark 3:12; 4:10). Or He may have deliberately come to a Gentile country to begin to show His salvation is for people all over the world, not just Jews.

Mark 5:1–13 describes Jesus' encounter with a man possessed by a vast number of demonic spirits. Jesus has shown His authority over storms during the turbulent crossing of the Sea of Galilee. In a cemetery on the eastern shore of the lake, He and the twelve meet a wild, dangerous man controlled by a ''legion'' of demons. Jesus allows the fleeing evil spirits to enter a herd of pigs which promptly run into the sea and drown. The man is grateful. The locals, either startled by Jesus' power or afraid for their livestock, promptly ask Jesus to leave. This account is also found in Luke 8:26–33 and possibly Matthew 8:28–32 which mentions two possessed men.

Jesus arrives on the other side of the Sea of Galilee and heals a man afflicted by a ''legion'' of demons. In the aftermath of this event, Jesus once again crosses the waters within this region, known as the Decapolis. There, He is approached by a synagogue leader, begging Him to come and save a dying girl. In the midst of this trip, Jesus stops the crowd to identify a woman who attempted to covertly touch his robes; her faithful act results in healing. Jesus then continues on to the home of the synagogue leader and resurrects his recently-deceased child.

Mark 4:35—5:43 sees an increase in the scope of Jesus' miracles. He has just calmed a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. Now, He expels a legion of demons, heals a woman without overtly acting, and brings a girl back to life. All three situations—related to tombs, blood, and death—show Jesus bringing healing to unclean circumstances. In chapter 6, the tone of His ministry will develop. He will be rejected by those who should know Him best, He will send out His followers to do His work, and His direct link to the Old Testament prophets will be explained.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.