Mark 5
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Commentaries
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The Gadarenes - Some of the MSS. have Gergasenes, and some of them Gerasenes. Griesbach seems to prefer the latter. See the note on Mat 8:28. The Gadarenes were included within the limits of the Gergasenes. Dr. Lightfoot supposes that, of the two demoniacs mentioned here, one was of Gadara, and consequently a heathen, the other was a Gergesenian, and consequently a Jew; and he thinks that Mark and Luke mention the Gadarene demoniac because his case was a singular one, being the only heathen cured by our Lord, except the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman.
Open source ↗HEROD THINKS JESUS A RESURRECTION OF THE MURDERED BAPTIST--ACCOUNT OF HIS DEATH. ( = Mat 14:1-12; Luk 9:7-9). (Mark 6:14-29) And King Herod--that is, Herod Antipas, one of the three sons of Herod the Great, and own brother of Archelaus (Mat 2:22), who ruled as ethnarch over Galilee and Perea. heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad); and he said--"unto his servants" (Mat 14:2), his councillors or court ministers. That John the Baptist was risen from the dead--The murdered prophet haunted his guilty breast like a specter, and seemed to him alive again and clothed with unearthly powers, in the person of Jesus.
Open source ↗And they came over unto the other side of the sea,.... Of Galilee, or Tiberias; into the country of the Gadarenes: in the Evangelist Matthew it is called, "the country of the Gergesenes", as it is here in the Arabic and Ethiopic versions. The Vulgate Latin reads, "of the Gerasenes", and so some copies, from Gerasa, a place in the same country; but the Syriac and Persic versions read, "Gadarenes", as do most copies; so called from Gadara, a city either adjacent to, or within the country of the Gergesenes; which was called by both names, from these different places. It was not far from Tiberias, the place from whence this sea has its name, over which Christ and his disciples passed, Joh 6:1. Chammath was a mile from (e) Tiberias, and this Chammath was so near to the country of Gadara, that it is often called, , "Chammath of Gadara" (f); unless it should be rather rendered, "the hot baths of Gadara": for so it is (g) said, that at Gadara are the hot baths of Syria; which may be the same with the hot baths of Tiberias, so often mentioned in the Jewish writings (h); hence the town of Chammath had its name, which was so near to Tiberias, that it is sometimes reckoned the same with it (i): Pliny (k) places this Gadara in Decapolis, and Ptolemy (l) in Coelo Syria; and Meleager, the collector of epigrams, who is called a Syrian, is said (m) to be a Gadarene, a native of this Gadara. Mention is made of the whirlpool of Gadara (n), which remained ever since the flood. It appears to be an Heathen country, both from its situation, and the manners of the people. (e) T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 2. 2. (f) T. Hieros. Erubin, fol. 23. 3. & Trumot, fol. 41. 3. & Sabbat, fol. 5. 4. (g) Eunapius in Vita Iamblici, p. 26. (h) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 108. 1. T. Hieros. Sabbat, fol. 6. 1. (i) T. Bab.…
Open source ↗We have here an instance of Christ's dispossessing the strong man armed, and disposing of him as he pleased, to make it appear that he was stronger than he. This he did when he was come to the other side, whither he went through a storm; his business there was to rescue this poor creature out of the hands of Satan, and when he had done that, he returned. Thus he came from heaven to earth, and returned, in a storm, to redeem a remnant of mankind out of the hands of the devil, though but a little remnant, and did not think his pains ill bestowed. In Matthew, they were said to be two possessed with devils; here it is said to be a man possessed with an unclean spirit. If there were two, there was one, and Mark doth not say that there was but one; so that this difference cannot give us any just offence; it is probable that one of them was much more remarkable than the other, and said what was said. Now observe here, I. The miserable condition that this poor creature was in; he was under the power of an unclean spirit, the devil got possession of him, and the effect of it was not, as in many, a silent melancholy, but a raging frenzy; he was raving mad; his condition seems to have been worse than any of the possessed, that were Christ's patients. 1. He had his dwelling among the tombs, among the graves of dead people. Their tombs were out of the cities, in desolate places (Job 3:14); which gave the devil great advantage: for woe to him that is alone. Perhaps the devil drove him to the tombs, to make people fancy that the souls of the dead were turned into daemons, and did what mischief was done, so to excuse themselves from it. The touch of a grave was polluting, Num 19:16. The unclean spirit drives people into that company that is defiling, and so keeps possession of them. Ch…
Open source ↗5:1-20 Jesus and the disciples arrived at the other side of the lake, completing the journey begun in 4:35. As in 1:21-28 and 3:11, the demons truly recognized (1:34) that Jesus was the Son of the Most High God. For the first time in the Gospel of Mark, a Gentile was the recipient of Jesus’ healing ministry (see study note on 5:10-13; cp. 7:24-30). 5:1 The region of the Gerasenes: Textual and geographical problems make the exact location uncertain. Manuscript evidence supports Gerasa, a city in this region located thirty-seven miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee (5:13). Some manuscripts read “Gadarenes”; Gadara was five miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee. A few manuscripts read “Gergesenes”; the town of Gergesa was located on a steep bank on the Sea of Galilee’s eastern shore.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… πέραν (péran, G4008) — through (as adverb or preposition), i.e. across θάλασσα (thálassa, G2281) — the sea (genitive case or specially) χώρα (chṓra, G5561) — room, i.e. a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants) Γαδαρηνός (Gadarēnós, G1046) — a Gadarene or inhabitant of Gadara
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) πλοῖον (ploîon, G4143) — a sailer, i.e. vessel εὐθέως (euthéōs, G2112) — directly, i.e. at once or soon ἀπαντάω (apantáō, G528) — to meet away, i.e. encounter μνημεῖον (mnēmeîon, G3419) — a remembrance, i.e. cenotaph (place of interment) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀκάθαρτος (akáthartos, G169) — impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic)) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,…
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… κατοίκησις (katoíkēsis, G2731) — residence (properly, the act; but by implication, concretely, the mansion) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μνημεῖον (mnēmeîon, G3419) — a remembrance, i.e. cenotaph (place of interment) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible δέω (déō, G1210) — to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… οὔτε (oúte, G3777) — not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even ἅλυσις (hálysis, G254) — a fetter or manacle
Open source ↗διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πολλάκις (pollákis, G4178) — many times, i.e. frequently δέω (déō, G1210) — to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively) πέδη (pédē, G3976) — a shackle for the feet καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἅλυσις (hálysis, G254) — a fetter or manacle διασπάω (diaspáō, G1288) — to draw apart, i.e. sever or dismember ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… συντρίβω (syntríbō, G4937) — to crush completely, i.e. to shatter (literally or figuratively) ἰσχύω (ischýō, G2480) — to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively) δαμάζω (damázō, G1150) — to tame οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… διαπαντός (diapantós, G1275) — through all time, i.e. (adverbially) constantly νύξ (nýx, G3571) — "night" (literally or figuratively) ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὄρος (óros, G3735) — perhaps akin to G142 (αἴρω); compare G3733 (ὄρνις)); a mountain (as lifting itself above… μνῆμα (mnēma, G3418) — a memorial, i.e. sepulchral monument (burial-place) κράζω (krázō, G2896) — properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek,… κατακόπτω (katakóptō, G2629) — to chop down, i.e. mangle ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… λίθος (líthos, G3037) — a stone (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… μακρόθεν (makróthen, G3113) — from a distance or afar τρέχω (tréchō, G5143) — compare G2359 (θρίξ)); which uses (the base of G1408 (δρόμος)) as alternate in certain… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… προσκυνέω (proskynéō, G4352) — to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κράζω (krázō, G2896) — properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek,… μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ὕψιστος (hýpsistos, G5310) — highest, i.e. (masculine singular) the Supreme (God), or (neuter plural) the heavens θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὁρκίζω (horkízō, G3726) — to put on oath, i.e. make swear; by analogy, to solemnly enjoin σέ (sé, G4571) — thee
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἀκάθαρτος (akáthartos, G169) — impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic)) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπερωτάω (eperōtáō, G1905) — to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me λεγεών (legeṓn, G3003) — a "legion", i.e. Roman regiment (figuratively) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐσμέν (esmén, G2070) — we are πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… παρακαλέω (parakaléō, G3870) — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… ἵνα μή (hína mḗ, G3363) — in order (or so) that not ἀποστέλλω (apostéllō, G649) — set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or… ἔξω (éxō, G1854) — out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively χώρα (chṓra, G5561) — room, i.e. a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἐκεῖ (ekeî, G1563) — there; by extension, thither πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὄρος (óros, G3735) — perhaps akin to G142 (αἴρω); compare G3733 (ὄρνις)); a mountain (as lifting itself above… μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) ἀγέλη (agélē, G34) — a drove χοῖρος (choîros, G5519) — a hog βόσκω (bóskō, G1006) — to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole δαίμων (daímōn, G1142) — a dæmon or supernatural spirit (of a bad nature) παρακαλέω (parakaléō, G3870) — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… πέμπω (pémpō, G3992) — to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas (as a stronger form… ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… χοῖρος (choîros, G5519) — a hog ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εὐθέως (euthéōs, G2112) — directly, i.e. at once or soon Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἐπιτρέπω (epitrépō, G2010) — to turn over (transfer), i.e. allow αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀκάθαρτος (akáthartos, G169) — impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic)) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… χοῖρος (choîros, G5519) — a hog ἀγέλη (agélē, G34) — a drove ὁρμάω (hormáō, G3729) — to start, spur or urge on, i.e. (reflexively) to dash or plunge κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. βόσκω (bóskō, G1006) — to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze χοῖρος (choîros, G5519) — a hog φεύγω (pheúgō, G5343) — to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀναγγέλλω (anangéllō, G312) — to announce (in detail) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) ἀγρός (agrós, G68) — a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e.… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with…
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