January 2016 And, Gerasene was one. That is why the inhabitants of the area are referred to variously in different Bible manuscripts as Gergasenes, Gadarenes, or Gerasenes. Thus, all the circumstances lead us to regard the healing of the demonized at Gerasa as a night scene, immediately on Christs arrival from Capernaum, and after the calming of the storm at sea. Alford Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965), I, pp. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. I am wondering if the demoniac was pagan or an Israelite. Unfortunately, Christians [or those using the name] can be harsh, condemning and critical driving people further into sin and away from God. The whole story is a myth. But the distance is so short that, even making allowance for the delay by the tempest, the passage could scarcely have occupied the whole night. Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. Matthew is habitually more oriented to a Jewish readership, and so he refers to Gadarenes because Gadara was the most important Jewish city in the area. That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. (it should be added that Plummer himelf does not hold to any of these views.). especially fn. In the third chapter of Marks Gospel, our Lords miraculous works were attributed by His opponents to the power of Satan (verse 22). What were the women in Mark 16:8 afraid of? Luke 8:37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them: for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. The region and polygon don't match. Lets face it, we all like to be in control. They all say country of (in the sense of region, not nation). Read the Scripture: Mark 4:35 - 5:20. 2,8) who can possess men and animals. July 2015 You might be thinking back to Easter and not recall very many hogs showing up except for at Easter supper. The entrance of the term into colloquial speech indicates that the Roman occupation was a heavy burden. And he said to them, Where is your faith? Sproul says in his commentary on Mark, When the Holy One is manifest in the midst of unholy people, the only appropriate human response is dread.. Jesus asked some crazy questions like "Why are you afraid?" As Jesus began to get back into the boat, the delivered demoniac pleaded with Him that he might accompany Him. The scene which Mark presents is deliberately dark. When once he was an instrument of Satanic opposition against the Messiah, now he is a witness to His power. to men facing fear and death. November 2016 61-62. April 2021 Matthew 8:4; Luke 8:56). Rev. 05 /5 Another theory. He also maintains a popular Facebook page. A friend of mine told me later that two students were attempting to cast a demon out of a fellow. Earles comments are helpful: The difference in names for the destination on the east side of the take has caused considerable comment. Although Gadarenes and Gergesenes are derived from a different Greek word, they are essentially referring to the same area. They are happy in their sin and the consequences seem far away. Dr. Thomson discovered on the eastern shore the ruins of a village called Khersa. Sermon for July 26, 2020: Why Were They So Afraid: Mark 5:1-20. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Such must have been the response of those with our Lord. The Gerasenes were the people of the district of which Gerasa was the capital. It is noteworthy that it is distinguished (especially in the Gospel of the physician, Luke) from cases of ordinary sickness, insanity (lunacy), leprosy, blindness, lameness, deafness and other natural defects and diseases (cf. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. . They were content where they were. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. The people who witnessed this are . July 2022 That would be a strong message, by allowing them to be possessed and then drowned. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. April 2020 seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. His teachings have inspired great moral reformations such as abolition of slavery and the Civil Rights movement. Was it fear that a secret sin might be exposed? When Jesus asked the demoniac his name, it was not without significance for He was, I believe, asking the demons to reveal their identity. From this point on, Jesus began to speak to the crowds in parables in order to veil or conceal the gospel from those who had blasphemed the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:lff). January 2017 Demons are highly organized (cf. One is that he was a fascinating man. Do roots of these polynomials approach the negative of the Euler-Mascheroni constant? There is, as we know, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. (1) As Lord of all, God has the right to make use of His creation any way that He deems best, and this includes not only pigs, but people (cf. This city was better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no city of Palestine was better known. A crowd had come to see what had happened for themselves. 9. In this story, we have a demon-possessed Gadarene who saw Jesus from a distance, and immediately he appeared to have felt a strong compulsion to run up to Jesus and bow down before him. At their request, He left. Privacy Policy. June 2020 The Lord granted the only request of these residents, which was for Him to leave. Instantly he recognized the Lord Jesus to be the Son of God (verse 7).116 There was a source of spiritual insight beyond human capabilities here. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Pope Francis Inexhaustible Font of Words: 10 Gems From the Heart Over 10 Years, Pope Francis, Biden Commend Peacemaker Bishop OConnell as Memorial Services Begin. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear (Luke 8:35-37). I felt somewhat guilty, particularly fearing that I may have created an unintentional hardship for some classmate. For some people, the cost is too high. The choice is to be free by submission to Christ (cf. 15; Mark ix. Here is where Satan can use a man to influence scores of people, blinding minds and hearts to the truths of the Word of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). Their influence and control leads to untold agony and destruction. Immediately, as this weary group disembarked from the ship, they were met by what appeared to be a madman. What did Jesus do? Jewish theology, at least on this point, seems consistent with biblical revelation. Perhaps they clenched their fists or picked up driftwood with which to defend themselves. This city was better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no city of Palestine was better known.. July 2020 These men were a danger to themselves and others. How to prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? The exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8.28-34; Mark 5.1-20; Luke 8.26-39), frequently known as the Miracle of the (Gadarene) Swine and the exorcism of Legion, is one of the miracles performed by Jesus according to the New Testament. As has been said before, look for Satans man behind the pulpit. Paul says of the former life of the Christian, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 1:1-2). Spam. Was there some sort of unwritten rule that Darrow (or any non-Bellona) was supposed to throw the fight? Why is there a voltage on my HDMI and coaxial cables? Author of The Gnostic Notebook series, stand-up comedian, and Gnostic. Now they would deal with this One greater than he by doing likewise. As these people began to piece together the previous events, not only of the destruction of the pigs, but also the deliverance of Legion, they began to sense that there was One far more awesome, much more to be feared, than Legion. March 2022 They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. December 2022 The pleas of Legion were in response to the command of Jesus for the demons to come out of him (verse 8). This was a federation of ten cities (deka = ten, polis = city). The Greeks were believers in the spirit world, but not necessarily convinced that demons were evil.127 As a result, Marks readers needed to be instructed as to the essential nature of demons and demon possession. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. January 2022 June 2017 Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? when He was the only One Who truly knew what had happened. The US Congress is currently debating whether TikTok should be banned for everyone in the US, not just government officials. and thank you for your contribution. First of all, I believe Mark was attempting to warn his Gentile readers of the great danger of demonic influence and activity. Finally, there is in demon possession a counterpart to the filling (or control) of the Holy Spirit. They are unclean spirits, (vss. The spread of cholera was linked to the movements of . Other demoniacs described in Scripture were bent on self-destruction as well (cf. Like the Samaritans who followed the woman at the well to see this One who had told her all she had done, so these residents came to see for themselves what had happened. Whereas he had been a slave, he was now delivered from demon possession. However, the point was clearly made; Jesus, the Son of God, has power over all things, including the powers of darkness. April 2022 Lets learn why. Winthrop Congregational Church, UCC No matter who you are. For those near by the local name would be used; but in writing to a distant people, as the Greeks and Romans, the more comprehensive and general name would be given.. Holy Communion From the Chalice Reintroduced in the UK: What About the US? (4) Super-human strength. I think the coup de grce is to look up the Greek word for country in these passages, to see what latitude of meaning it has. 606-607. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The pig shepherds had gone and spread the news of what had happened all around. EIN 27-4581132 Why would the Gerasene people beg Jesus to leave their region after He cast the demons into the pigs? 8ff.). I used to want the longest life, perfect health and happiness, but really it is that feeling that I am so glad that this isnt all there is and that we have heaven to wait for, and that well be with Jesus, and there will be no more tears Amber VanVickle (1982-2023), The headquarters of the charity, which serves as a consecrated family to 46 disabled children, were badly damaged in major flooding near Rio de Janeiro last year. In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost? They were instructed to keep quiet about what Jesus had done for them (cf. May 2016 115 While Mark and Luke describe only one demoniac, Matthew informs us that there were two. e.g., Matt. Luke 8:26-39 Mark 5:1-20 ESV - 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. Thats why also Peter having realized who Christ was, was dreaded and asked Him to leave him for he said to be a sinful man (Luke 5:8). His animal-like shrieks must have sent chills up the spines of any who were nearby. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. Now' as to the pigs (an unclean animal, so you know Jesus wasnt in Israel! Another reason they may have been afraid of Jesus was the realization that if they accepted Him, it would mean a radical change of lifestyle. Jesus had simply sailed across the Lake of Galilee to the region of the Gerasenes. In all three instances the word is chra (Strongs word #5561). The demoniac further evidenced demon activity by the depth of his spiritual insight. More than this, however, is the fact that the mans own identity and individuality were swallowed up by the demons with him. The conduct of this pathetic individual was obviously anti-social. The pig tenders reported it far and wide, in city and country (verse 14). Pig carcasses were washing ashore and drifting out to sea. To date they have failed to respond in any way. man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 'Return home and tell how much God has done for you.' So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus (Luke 8:26-39, NIV) March 2017 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. The miracle referred to took place, without doubt, near the town of Gergesa, the modern Kersa, close by the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and hence in the country of Gergesenes. The lectionary reading for Trinity 1, Year C, is Luke's version of Jesus meeting and healing the demon-possessed man in the 'region of the Gerasenes' (Luke 8.26-39). 114 We are indebted to Edersheim, who reminds us that the expression demon possession never occurs in the New Testament: The term demoniacal possession occurs not in the New Testament. Sometime after the Lord Jesus miraculously calmed the storm, the ship landed, perhaps late in the evening,111 on the other side of the lake in the country of the Gerasenes.112 If, indeed, it was late at night, the scene must have been an eerie one, with the nerves of the disciples already worn thin by the terrifying experience of the storm. Pigs were seen as unclean animals in the eyes of the people of Israel. 5:5). And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He was Someone Who could control the spirit realm. But, the pigs were a part of their economic wealth. The Truth is Jesus is a safe Person Who loves them, values them, wants their best and will never force Himself on them. If it is a feminine spirit, the voice will be a feminine one, if masculine then very manly. The demoniac was uncontrollable by any of the normal means of human confinement. November 2022 Jesus had freed the man and for a reason known only to Himself, He had granted the demons request to go into a nearby herd of pigs rather than go into the Abyss [bottomless pit]. It's a curious passage with many unanswered questions. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Then the SPCA would have been up in arms over such cruelty to animals. The reference could hardly be to the better known Gerasa (Jerash) between thirty and forty miles southeast from the lake. The best human analogy might be in the area of drug abuse. Until we decide on a new comic, you'll likely see a gray box where "Dilbert" had appeared. September 2015 French Monastery Survives War and Famine After 885 Years, the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan, and More Great Links! The sons of god ended up becoming the gods of these nations. April 2017 November 2015 Gergesa may have been a variant spelling of Gerasa. Ralph Earle, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1957), p. 70. Commentator R. C. H. Lenski states: The distance of these cities from the lake is immaterial for the narrative since this deals with the region that is near the lake and not with the vicinity of either of the cities to the lake.. August 2018 There is no conflict, however, for Mark and Luke have apparently focused their attention on the most striking of the two. Acts 5:1-6). As indicated in the textual note, the best Greek text reads Gerasenes in Mark and Luke, Gadarenes in Matthew. Such an entreaty can be addressed by them to only God. His greatest impact would be on those who knew his former state. Mark 9:17-29). 14. In contrast, the people of Gerasene are asking him to leave their place. 117 so that, by their own confession, a time is coming when there shall be an entire victory of the kingdom of light over that of darkness (Rev. As the servant of Elisha was told, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them (2 Kings 6:16). Where did the demons go after they went into the pigs and caused them to jump to their death. . The confrontation of Jesus and the Gerasene demoniac made it clear that Jesus was no servant of Satan. Christians are to be a "safe" people - an expression of that love of God so people who do not know Him can be drawn to the Truth. For more information, please see our Hence it would be called the land of the Gadarenes.. And when the man spoke to Jesus, it looks like the demons inside the man were the ones doing the speaking. NEW STAR WARS MERCH PAGE: https://bit.ly/3baWVZv For all sponsorship and business inquiries please contact: thestupendousscrub@gmail.com NEW CHANNEL: https:/. For more information about Glenn Davis see our About Glenn page and/or his Author's Page. F. F. Bruce adds additional helpful insight: According to the best texts, Matthew calls it the country of the Gadarenes (viii. October 2022 As an alternative to confinement, the demons posed the option of being permitted to enter the pigs, some 2,000 in number, feeding nearby. The presence of holiness and, moreover, the most intense divine holiness is undesirable; I mean, unless you are an angel or a saintly recluse in his ascetic toils in a cave or a top of a pillar. 37Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. August 2021 A word of clarification is in order here for we must recognize that in this account the dark side of Satan is exposed, but this is perhaps the more unusual side of Satan. Embedded into both stories are people who were afraid of Jesus. NET Bible Then all the people of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Jesus to leave them alone, for they were seized with great fear. Putting all of these factors together the term demon-possessed inplies too much. The people of Gerasenes were willing to live with the devils they knew - quite literally. First of all the Scriptures do not say that the local Pagans were afraid of Jesus, but that they merely begged him to leave their neighbourhood. The demons in the man recognize Jesus and the man bows before him. Cookie Notice In the King James Version it is called the country of the Gadarenes in Mark and Luke, and of the Gergesenes in Matthew. He did not appear to rush upon the small group of men to attack them (as he would normally have done), but rather to plead with Jesus. The ego is so impaired that the spirits speak through him. Anonymous, October 25 2014 So they refer to Gerasenes. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Vote Up She is a graduate of the Divinity School at Wake Forest University and Chicago Theological Seminary. It had nothing to do the farmers losing revenue - at all. As C. S. Lewis aptly put it: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. When addressed, the person was the mouthpiece of the demon (such as Legion, Mark 5:9). Jesus had just performed an incredible miracleand one they desperately needed, at that! Although it is likely that the larger towns of Galilee were predominantly Gentile, as was the Decapolis, the first-century civilian diet did not . The lose of the pigs meant loose of partial income in the area. All Scripture agrees with this, that the judgment of the angels is yet to come (1 Cor. No matter what men attempted to bind him with, he broke loose. 26). The Politics of Luke 8:26-39. (2) Anti-social behavior. Fear that you might do something that would embarrass you? If anything, that would have made them angry. Our Lord responded sternly by calling this accusation blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and as such was the one unpardonable sin (verses 28-30). You will receive a monthly newsletter with Scriptural teaching plus notifications of any new articles, courses or books. How many demons possessed the man in Mark 5:6? 184-185. Five squad cars converged on it. The story shows Jesus exorcising a demon or demons out of a man and into a herd of swine, causing the swine to run down a hill into a lake and drown . Why did the demons ask to be cast into the herd of pigs, and why did the pigs then run into the water to be drowned? That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. For the Christian, there are two extremes which must be avoided with reference to Satanic activity. Also, frequently associated with demon possession was a super-human strength (cf. Father Macaire, 33, who was ordained fewer than two years ago, was kidnapped the morning of Feb. 7 when he was on his way to his missionary community in Kazal, about 20 miles north of Port-au-Prince. The region is located east of the Jordan River and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. 123 1. or by some form of self-emptying (such as various forms of eastern meditation) in my opinion, they are in a precarious position. In that case, of course, it would be in the early morning that the Gerasenes afterwards resorted to Jesus and that He again returned to Capernaum. There is the so-called demon of doubt, of anger, of overindulgence, of drunkenness, laziness and so on. What scared them was a power so fierce it could free a man. For these demons to be sent out of the country would have meant that they would then be confined along with other fallen angels (cf. It didnt take long for the word to spread quickly. xvi. Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus? Confusion, fear in moments after crash "There were many big pieces of steel," said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene. The man looked out on the Tiberius. Another approach is to note the different intentions of the Gospel writers. Like it or not, demons and demonic activity are likely to become much more of a concern to you in days to come. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? October 2018 June 2016 And they were afraid. When our Lord confronted the demons, they had to submit to His power and authority. 3. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. xiii. The district of the Gerasenes probably included that of the Gadarenes; so that the demoniac of Gergesa belonged to the country of the Gadarenes and also to that of the Gerasenes, as the same person may, with equal truth, be said to live in the city or the state, or in the United States. It was like being attacked by two Hulks. They probably thought of quickly getting aboard ship and pushing off. Evil is self-defeating in the end. We are seeking a replacement and hope to have it in your newspaper soon. in a crowd in a crowd where many people were bumping into Him? 3 When the centurion 2 heard about Jesus, c he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his . The New Testament speaks of those who had a spirit, or a demon, or demons, or an unclean spirit, or the spirit of an unclean demon, but chiefly of persons who were demonised. Edersheim, Life and Times, I, p. 479. May 2020 March 2016 vi. 22, xvii. How to show that an expression of a finite type must be one of the finitely many possible values? October 2017 Jesus deserves the benefit of the doubt even when we don't have all the facts. February 2021 110 C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1971), p. 3. Although the manifestations of demonization vary widely, this man115 evidenced several of the classic symptoms. No matter where you are on life's journey. Another indication of demonic control is the fact that this man was continually doing harm to himself by gashing himself with stones (verse 5). And the people went out to see what happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. Today, it is identified with El-Koursi or Kursi. iv. On the other hand, Gadara is only six miles from the southern tip of the lake and could easily have given its name to the district. But about a mile further south there is a fairly steep slope within forty yards from the shore, and about two miles from there cavern tombs are found which appear to have been used for dwellings. William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), p.181. 125 This is the position of Lane, Mark, p. 187. May 2015 This reveals to us that demons have an intuitive knowledge of their impending doom.117. July 2017 It is now called Jerash and is a deserted ruin. 35Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. The man, who was naked when he saw Jesus, had the added ability of enduring both freezing and sweltering temperatures as well as pain he inflicted upon himself! 22ff. Those who have witnessed demon possession tell us that each demon has its own distinct personality and that the individual possessed begins to manifest the distinct personality of the demon by which he is possessed. Acts 16:16), while others were the virtual pawns of these spirits, losing their own identity and autonomy. In addition, Matthew includes the comment, Have You come here to torment us before the time? (Matthew 8:29). In this context, however, he insists that legion has nothing of its usual Roman military overtones, but is the designation of numerous powers which oppose themselves to Jesus as the embodiment of the power of God. Lane, Mark, fn. How ironic, as others have noted, that the tormentor pleads not to be tormented. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. It is very appropriate that these two incidents . It became one of the proudest cities of Syria. It was situated some 30 miles southeast of Gadara, on the borders of Peraea and a little north of the river Jabbok. The most likely answer is to the country of the Gerasenes: i.e., Gerasa, a Greek town thought to be the same as the similarly-named Kersa on the east shore of Lake Tiberias. March 2015 In both the accounts of Mark and Luke, the primary motivation is described as that of fear. Or they are too afraid of what the change might bring. We owe it to Josephus, from whom it has passed into ecclesiastical language. Instead of opening themselves up to Jesus and receiving His love and forgiveness, they allowed fear to drive a wedge between them. March 2018 No! In fact the region was known as the Gadarenes-Gerasenes region. The best known Gerasa was a Greek city nearly forty miles southeast of the lake (modern village of Khersa, on the east shore of the lake. Who do you care more about, people or pigs? The healing of the demoniacs and the repulse of the Healer by the inhabitants are historical, but the incident of the swine is a later figment. Demon-possession is, therefore, not merely a mental state in which someone suffers from a delusion or is subjected to some subjective disturbance of the world of ideas. (London: InterVarsity Fellowship, 1950), fn. Note that the texts dont say Gerasa or Gadara, so they arent necessarily referring just to one of the cities. Wikipedia states about it: In the second half of the 1st century AD, the city of Jerash achieved great prosperity.. Hence there was demon-worship, the worship not necessarily of evil spirits; but of the spirits of those who had existed in the Golden Age. G. Campbell Morgan, The Gospel According to Mark (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1927), p. 114. You can like Jesus for two different reasons. In any event, I love defending the Bible and Christianity. "Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear." (Luke 8:37a) Fear plagues us. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. Can devils entreat in such a manner any highest of angels, be he Michael, Gabriel or Raphael, or any greatest cherub or seraph? As always, we must begin with the principle: Interpretation is one, application is many. Also, the wholesale slaughter of these pigs dramatically illustrated the destructive purposes of the demons. Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus among them? Mark 3:14). At first we may deceive ourselves into thinking that we are controlling them, but the ultimate likelihood is that they will master us. Top Ten Reasons Why There Were Pigs In Gerasenes Remember the story of Jesus casting demons out of the crazy man in Luke 8? If they dare to open up their lives to Jesus what will happen? This story is a little bit of an Easter story. and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. The spectrum ranges from those who seem to control the demonic powers to those who are utterly controlled by them.