What is the context?
After the crossing, Jesus arrives in the region of the Gerasenes and meets a man living among the tombs. Mark describes his suffering and isolation: no one can restrain him, and he cries out and cuts himself with stones. The encounter begins where other people's efforts have failed.
The voice addressing Jesus identifies Him as the Son of the Most High God and begs not to be tormented. Asked his name, the reply is Legion, because they are many. The Greek λεγιών, legiōn (leh-gee-OHN), is a borrowed military word for a body of soldiers; Thayer's lexicon notes that its size varied. Mark's explanation emphasizes many spirits, rather than giving an exact count of six thousand.
The spirits ask to enter a herd of pigs. Jesus permits it, and the herd of about two thousand rushes down the bank and drowns. The spirits act under His permission. Mark reports what happens without explaining every reason Jesus allows the herd's destruction.
Those tending the pigs report the event. The people find the man sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, yet ask Jesus to leave. Luke 8:35–37 explicitly connects their request with great fear. The text tells us about the loss of the pigs, but does not reduce every person's response to a calculation about money.
The restored man wants to accompany Jesus. Instead, Jesus sends him home to tell his own people of the Lord's mercy. Mark then describes him announcing what Jesus has done throughout the Decapolis. His changed life becomes a message for the people around him. The parallel Matthew 8:28–34 describes two men; Mark follows the story of this one in detail.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christian readings commonly see Jesus' authority over evil spirits and His mercy restoring a person to life among others. Calvin on Mark 5:9 and Luke 8:38–39 and the US Catholic bishops' notes on Mark 5:9,19 emphasize the many spirits overcome and the restored man's task of making God's kindness known.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Earlier, Jesus describes overcoming a strong man before taking what he holds (Mark 3:22–27). This encounter shows that freeing work in a person's life. 1 John 3:8 states the larger purpose directly: the Son of God appeared to destroy the devil's works. The man's restoration belongs to that conflict and victory.
God's mercy also produces a witness. Psalm 66:16–20 calls others to hear what God has done for the speaker. Jesus gives this man a similarly personal message: tell what the Lord has done and the mercy He has shown. Mark's movement from the Lord's work in verse 19 to Jesus' work in verse 20 draws attention to God's saving action through Him.
The man is sent back to people who have asked Jesus to depart. Even there, the account does not end with silence. The person they knew in suffering can now speak to them about the mercy he has received.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.