Mark 5:14

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.

And {G1161} they that fed {G1006} the swine {G5519} fled {G5343}, and {G2532} told {G312} it in {G1519} the city {G4172}, and {G2532} in {G1519} the country {G68}. And {G2532} they went out {G1831} to see {G1492} what {G5101} it was {G2076} that was done {G1096}.

The swineherds fled and told it in the town and in the surrounding country, and the people went to see what had happened.

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.

And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came to see what it was that had come to pass.

Commentary

Mark 5:14 describes the immediate aftermath of Jesus casting a legion of demons out of a man and into a large herd of swine, which then rushed into the sea and drowned. This verse captures the critical moment when the witnesses to this extraordinary event react and spread the news, setting the stage for the community's response to Jesus.

Context

This verse is situated in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, depending on the Gospel account), a Gentile area where pig farming was common, unlike Jewish communities where pigs were considered unclean. Jesus had just performed a remarkable miracle by liberating a man tormented by a multitude of demons, who identified themselves as "Legion." Upon the demons' request, Jesus permitted them to enter a nearby herd of about two thousand swine. The pigs then rushed down a steep bank into the Sea of Galilee and drowned. The swineherds, who were direct witnesses to this dramatic event, were naturally terrified and fled to spread the news.

Key Themes

  • Immediate Witness and Report: The swineherds, though likely non-believers, became the first eyewitnesses to this powerful display of Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm and nature. Their frantic flight and widespread report ensured the news reached both the city and the surrounding countryside quickly.
  • Fear and Curiosity: The local populace's reaction is a mix of overwhelming fear at the unknown power demonstrated by Jesus and intense curiosity to understand "what it was that was done." This dual response is common when people encounter the miraculous or supernatural.
  • Economic Loss vs. Divine Power: For the community, the immediate and tangible impact was the catastrophic loss of their livelihoodโ€”a massive economic blow. This often overshadowed the spiritual miracle of the man's deliverance, leading to a focus on the material rather than the divine. This foreshadows the community's subsequent request for Jesus to depart.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "they that fed the swine fled" uses the Greek word ephygon (แผ”ฯ†ฯ…ฮณฮฟฮฝ), which conveys a sense of urgent, panicked escape. Their flight was not merely to report, but out of genuine terror and awe at the cataclysmic event they had just witnessed. The phrase "told [it] in the city, and in the country" emphasizes the swift and pervasive dissemination of the news, highlighting the shock value of the incident.

Practical Application

This verse illustrates common human reactions to powerful spiritual events. People often respond with fear, concern for their comfort or material possessions, and curiosity, rather than immediate faith or worship. It challenges us to consider our own priorities when confronted with God's power. Do we focus on what might be lost (like the swine) or on the profound spiritual deliverance and authority of Christ (like the healed man)? The spreading of the news also reminds us how quickly stories of extraordinary events can travel, and how our own reactions can influence others' perceptions of God's work. Jesus' authority over unclean spirits remains a testament to His divine power.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 8:34

    When they that fed [them] saw what was done, they fled, and went and told [it] in the city and in the country.

  • Matthew 8:33

    And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
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