In today’s study our titles are; Verses 1-20 The Gadarene is healed of a demoniac possession. Verses 21-43 Jesus raises Jairus daughter and heals a woman with a blood disease. Now, before we begin, there are some that say there is a controversy between Matthew 8:28-34. Matthew says there were two that came out of the tombs. Here in Mark, he says only one came out of the tombs. But that he says he came out with an unclean spirit counts it for two. Never a controversy in God’s Word. Mark 5 and verse 1 reads.
Mark 5:1] And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
Gadarenes said here, and Gergesenes is said in Matthew. Gadarene is a place by the Sea of Galilee, where the people (called Gergesenes) lived. In the land of the Gergesenes is our hint that these people are not of Israel. They keep swine, an abomination to our LORD, and not a clean meat. Let’s look at this word Gergesenes G1086 and means; a Gergesene (that is Girgashite) or one of the aborigines of Palestine. Gergesenes = “a stranger drawing near”. They are Gentiles. Back to Mark 5 and verse 2 reads.
Mark 5:2] And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
In Matthew 8 two come out possessed with evil spirits. The man and the evil spirit who with many other spirits called Legion, because they were so many. Never a controversy in God’s Word. Now, let’s read very carefully all that is said, for it pertains to God’s Elect in these end times as well.
Mark 5:3] Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
His dwelling was among the tombs, Hell is translated from graves, sepulchers and even on one occasion as Gehenna which is a garbage dump between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. Binding him with chains is interesting, let’s keep reading.
Mark 5:4] 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.
This is true possession.
Mark 5:6] But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
This He is the evil spirit that came out of the tomb with the man that he had taken possession of. He ran to worship the Lord Jesus, remember all knees will bow at the second advent.
Mark 5:7] 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.
He pleads with Jesus, knowing he is the Son of God, with knowledge that this is only the first advent.
Mark 5:8] 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.
Speaking for all the evil spirits that possessed the man, calls himself Legion. A Legion is about 6,000 in the Roman army, this does not mean that there were 6,000, just that they are many. Jesus is not only teaching his disciples a lesson on casting out devils, but you and me also. Let’s go to Luke 10 and verse 19 reads.
Luke 10:19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
But we must remember Luke 11 and verse 24 warns.
Luke 11:24] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
[25] And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
[26] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
After casting out a devil you had better fill that person with Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Back to Mark 5 and verse 10 reads.
Mark 5:10] 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.
Showing us here that these in this country are not of Israel, as swine is an abomination to the LORD. A very unclean meat to eat.
Mark 5:13] 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.
They drowned themselves in the sea. Even a swine wouldn’t let evil dwell in them.
Mark 5:14] 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.
They see the man without the demons and in his right mind, will they believe?
Mark 5:16] 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.
They didn’t care for the man, they only cared that they lost their herd, and asked Jesus to leave.
Mark 5:18] 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.
He wanted to follow Jesus, but being of the Gergesenes of Gadarenes he would not be allowed to follow Jesus because he was not an Israelite. Jesus will use this man to go back and prepare them for his Glory after he would be crucified. And then all, even the Gentiles could be saved. Decapolis is Syria of today. This man would go and preach that Salvation has come to the world. I’m sure he also heard “Job well done my good and faithful servant”. Let’s go to Isaiah 49 and verse 6 reads.
Isa.49:6] And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Back to Mark 5 and verse 21 reads.
Mark 5:21] And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
[22] And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
Jairus means; Whom God enlightens. We just came from the other side where Jesus enlightened the Gentiles, now we have a man that is of Israel. He is a ruler of a synagogue, a Pharisee.
Mark 5:23] And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
This is great faith by this priest, he knew this was the Christ.
Mark 5:24] And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
[25] And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
This woman shares the number twelve with the little girl that Jesus was on his way to heal. Twelve in biblical numeric means; governmental perfection.
Mark 5:26] And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
[27] When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
[28] For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Let’s go back to Mark 3 and verse 10 reads.
Mark 3:10] For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
Now let’s go ahead to Mark 6 and verse 56 reads.
Mark 6:56] And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
It seems all it takes is a little faith. Back to Mark 5 and verse 29 reads.
Mark 5:29] And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
[30] And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
This seems harsh to some but to me it seems a little specific. He wanted to speak to the person that was healed.
Mark 5:31] And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
[32] And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
[33] But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
[34] And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
His compassion on the woman needs to be shown. He loved her, and made the example with her that it takes faith. He then blessed her and sent her away.
Mark 5:35] While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
[36] As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Only believe, have faith.
Mark 5:37] And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
[38] And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
[39] And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
[40] And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
Put out all unbelievers before he heals her. That they laughed him to scorn shows they had no faith. God will not be mocked, I wonder how it went for them after the girl was healed.
Mark 5:41] And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
Remember this is in Syria, he spoke to her in the language of the area. Her father was an Israelite because only an Israelite could be a priest in the synagogue.
Mark 5:42] And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
[43] And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
First, he commanded they tell no one that he had brought the child back from death. It wasn’t time for that. Second, let’s go to Luke where we get a better description on what Jesus said to them. Luke 8 and verse 55 reads.
Luke 8:55] And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
Not milk, but meat. Teach the depth of God’s Word to this child. She will be used to preach to Israel in her future. Always find the story that you read in one gospel in the other gospels as a source for more information. Today’s lessons can be found in Matthew 8 and 9 and also in Luke 8. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible