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.
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,
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.
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,
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chapter 5 of the Book of Mark in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible unfolds with three extraordinary miracles performed by Jesus Christ, highlighting his divine authority over evil spirits, sickness, and death. This chapter underscores the themes of faith, healing, and spiritual liberation, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ's love and mercy.
The chapter begins with Jesus and his disciples arriving in the region of the Gerasenes, where they encounter a man possessed by an unclean spirit. This man, tormented by the legion of demons within him, lived among the tombs and was known for his violent outbursts and superhuman strength. Despite the chains and fetters used to bind him, no one could subdue him. His existence was a living nightmare, filled with constant pain and isolation.
When the man saw Jesus, he ran towards him and fell at his feet, recognizing Jesus as the Son of the Most High God. Jesus, moved with compassion, commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. The demons pleaded with Jesus not to send them out of the region but into a herd of pigs nearby. Jesus granted their request, and the demons entered the pigs, causing them to rush down a steep bank into the sea, where they drowned. The man, now free from the demonic possession, was found sitting, clothed and in his right mind. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' divine authority over evil spirits, proving that no force of darkness can stand against His power.
Upon returning to the other side of the lake, Jesus is approached by Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, whose daughter is critically ill. Desperate, Jairus falls at Jesus' feet, pleading for Him to come and heal his daughter. Jesus agrees and they set off towards Jairus' house.
On their way, they are surrounded by a large crowd. Among the throng is a woman who had been suffering from a bleeding disorder for twelve years. She had sought help from many physicians and spent all she had, but her condition only worsened. Upon hearing about Jesus, she believed that if she could just touch His cloak, she would be healed. With faith, she reached out and touched His garment. Immediately, her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. Jesus, feeling power go out from Him, turned around and asked, "Who touched my clothes?". The woman, trembling with fear, came forward and told Him the truth. Jesus responded, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
This account is a powerful testament to the healing power of faith. The woman's condition, which had isolated her and rendered her ceremonially unclean, was healed by her faith in Jesus' power. Her faith moved her to reach out to Jesus, and her faith made her whole. Jesus' response is not a rebuke, but a confirmation of her faith and an assurance of her healing.
While Jesus was still speaking, messengers came from Jairus' house, bearing the tragic news that his daughter had died. They urged Jairus not to trouble the teacher any further. But Jesus, overhearing their conversation, encouraged Jairus, "Be not afraid, only believe." Upon reaching Jairus' house, Jesus allowed only Peter, James, John, and the girl's parents to accompany him inside. He saw the commotion, the people weeping and wailing loudly. He asked them, "Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth." They laughed at Him, but He put them all out, took the child's hand and said, "Talitha cumi", which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" Immediately, the girl stood up and began to walk around. Those present were utterly astounded.
This miracle showcases Jesus' authority over life and death, illustrating that even death is subject to His command. It also emphasizes the theme of faith, as Jesus encourages Jairus to believe, even in the face of despair. The raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead is a representation of spiritual resurrection, a promise of eternal life for those who believe in Him.
Chapter 5 of the Book of Mark presents a profound picture of Jesus' divine authority and the transformative power of faith. It illustrates the limitless scope of Jesus' power - over evil spirits, sickness, and even death. It underscores the significance of faith, as seen in the woman who was healed and Jairus, who despite his despair, was encouraged to believe. It emphasizes the compassionate nature of Jesus, who responds to those who seek Him in faith, promising healing and liberation.
The chapter serves as a reminder of the hope and healing offered through faith in Jesus Christ. Whether it is a man tormented by demons, a woman suffering from a chronic illness, or a father grieving his child's death, their encounters with Jesus result in transformative healing and restoration. It reinforces the message that no one is beyond the reach of His love and mercy, and that faith in Him brings about spiritual liberation and wholeness.
In essence, Chapter 5 of the Book of Mark is a testament to the boundless love, mercy, and power of Jesus Christ. It is an invitation to experience the transformative power of faith, to seek healing and liberation in Him, and to witness the glory of His divine authority. It is a call to believe, even in the face of despair, for in Him, there is life, healing, and resurrection.
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