The Gospel According to
Mark 5
43 verses≈ 7 min3 peopleBSB
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In this chapter
The Demons and the Pigs
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This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains. Though he was often bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and shattered the shackles. Now there was no one with the strength to subdue him. Night and day in the tombs and in the mountains he kept crying out and cutting himself with stones.
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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
When the man saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees before Him.
The man from the tombs
And he shouted in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God not to torture me!”
For Jesus had already declared, “Come out of this man, you unclean spirit!”
Jesus
“What is your name?” Jesus asked.
The man from the tombs
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
And he begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of that region.
There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.”
He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water.
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
Those who had seen it described what had happened to the demon-possessed man and also to the pigs. And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region.
As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him. But Jesus would not allow him.
Jesus
“Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.”
tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.
Mark 5:19
So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
Live it
Start at home
Jesus told the man, “Go home to your own people,” and tell them “what mercy He has shown you.” Who at home, at work or next door needs to hear what Jesus has done for you?
Stylised map · locations approximate
Where it happened
The Ten Cities
The Gerasenes lived on the lake’s eastern side, in Gentile country. The freed man carried the news across the Decapolis, a league of Greek-speaking cities. He became one of the first messengers to the Gentiles.
The Healing Touch of Jesus
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When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea. A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”
So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him.
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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she kept saying, “If only I touch His garments, I will be healed.”
Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
At once Jesus was aware that power had gone out from Him.
Jesus
Turning to the crowd, He asked, “Who touched My garments?”
The disciples
His disciples answered, “You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’”
But He kept looking around to see who had done this.
Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth.
“Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”
Go in peace and be free of your affliction.
Mark 5:34
Question
Quick question
Mark sets two stories side by side, and they share a number.
How long had the woman been suffering from bleeding?
From Jairus’ house
While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?”
Jesus
But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”
Do not be afraid; just believe.
Mark 5:36
And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.
After He had put them all outside, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child.
Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). And at once they were utterly astounded.
Then Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.
Beyond help
Whiteboard
Three people no one else could help: one chained in the tombs, one drained by twelve years of illness, one already dead. Each meets Jesus, and each is made whole.
Pray
Just believe
When the messengers said “Your daughter is dead,” Jesus told Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” Bring Him the thing that feels too late, and ask Him for faith to keep walking with Him.
You’ve experienced
Mark 5
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A verse to carry with you
“Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.”
Mark 5:19
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