Mark 5:15

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

And {G2532} they come {G2064} to {G4314} Jesus {G2424}, and {G2532} see {G2334} him that was possessed with the devil {G1139}, and had {G2192} the legion {G3003}, sitting {G2521}, and {G2532} clothed {G2439}, and {G2532} in his right mind {G4993}: and {G2532} they were afraid {G5399}.

They came to Yeshua and saw the man who had had the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were frightened.

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.

And they come to Jesus, and behold him that was possessed with demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him that had the legion: and they were afraid.

Mark 5:15 describes the profound impact of Jesus' encounter with the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes). The verse captures the astonishing scene witnessed by locals who came out to investigate the commotion after a herd of pigs drowned in the sea.

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment following one of Jesus' most dramatic miracles. Previously, Jesus and His disciples had crossed the Sea of Galilee, arriving in the country of the Gerasenes. There, they were immediately met by a man possessed by an unclean spirit, who lived among the tombs, was uncontrollable, and constantly self-harming. When Jesus confronted the demons, they identified themselves as "Legion" (a Roman military unit, signifying a vast number) and begged not to be sent out of the country. Instead, they asked to enter a herd of about two thousand pigs, which then rushed down a steep bank into the sea and drowned. News of this event spread quickly, drawing the city dwellers and country folk to the scene, eager to see what had transpired. The preceding verses of Mark 5 detail this incredible deliverance.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Unparalleled Authority: The most striking theme is Jesus' absolute power over the spiritual realm. This man, whom no human force could control or bind (Mark 5:4), is now seen "sitting," a posture of peace and submission. The demons, even in their great number, were powerless before Christ's command, demonstrating His divine sovereignty over evil.
  • Radical Transformation: The change in the man is profound. He was naked and wild; now he is "clothed, and in his right mind." This physical and mental restoration highlights the comprehensive nature of salvation and deliverance that Jesus offers. It's a powerful picture of how Christ brings order out of chaos and sanity out of madness.
  • Fear of the Divine: The people's reaction—"they were afraid"—is significant. Their fear was not just of the drowned pigs and economic loss, but a deep-seated awe and terror at the sheer power displayed by Jesus. This kind of fear often arises when humans encounter the raw, untamed power of God, which can be both comforting and unsettling (see Luke 5:26).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in his right mind" translates the Greek word sōphronounta (σωφρονοῦντα), which implies being of sound mind, exercising self-control, and having good judgment. It signifies a state of mental clarity and emotional stability, a complete reversal from his previous chaotic and self-destructive condition. The term "Legion" (Greek: legiōn) directly refers to a division of the Roman army, typically comprising several thousand soldiers, underscoring the immense number and organized nature of the demonic forces that had possessed the man.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense hope. It reminds us that no bondage—whether spiritual, mental, or emotional—is too strong for Jesus to break. The man's transformation serves as a powerful testimony that Christ can bring wholeness and sanity even to the most desperate situations. For believers, it reinforces the truth of God's power to deliver and restore. The people's fear also prompts us to consider our own response to God's power; do we embrace it with faith and worship, or are we intimidated by its magnitude? The man, once delivered, desired to follow Jesus (Mark 5:18) and was instead sent to declare what the Lord had done for him, a call to share our own testimonies of God's transformative work.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Colossians 1:13

    Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:

  • 2 Timothy 1:7

    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

  • 1 Samuel 6:20

    And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

  • 1 Samuel 6:21

    And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, [and] fetch it up to you.

  • Luke 8:27

    And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in [any] house, but in the tombs.

  • Mark 5:9

    And he asked him, What [is] thy name? And he answered, saying, My name [is] Legion: for we are many.

  • Luke 10:39

    And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

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