Mark 5:17

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

And {G2532} they began {G756} to pray {G3870} him {G846} to depart {G565} out of {G575} their {G846} coasts {G3725}.

and the people began begging Yeshua to leave their district.

And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region.

And they began to beseech him to depart from their borders.

Commentary

Mark 5:17 KJV describes the surprising reaction of the people in the region of the Gerasenes after witnessing Jesus' extraordinary power and the subsequent economic loss. Instead of embracing the divine presence, they asked Jesus to leave.

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Jesus healing a man possessed by a legion of demons. The demons, by Jesus' permission, entered a large herd of pigs, causing them to rush down a steep bank into the Sea of Galilee and drown (Mark 5:13). The swineherds, witnessing this, fled and spread the news throughout the city and surrounding countryside. When people came out to see what had happened, they found the formerly demon-possessed man, who had been a terror to the region, now sitting, clothed, and in his right mind (Mark 5:15). This display of power, coupled with the significant economic loss from the drowned pigs, instilled a profound fear in the local populace.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Fear Over Faith: The primary reaction of the Gerasenes was not wonder or worship, but fear. They were terrified by Jesus' immense power, which disrupted their familiar order and caused financial distress. This highlights a common human tendency to prefer comfort and predictability over the transformative, sometimes disruptive, power of God.
  • Rejection of the Divine: Despite witnessing an incredible act of deliverance and the restoration of a tormented soul, the people prioritized their material well-being (the loss of the pigs) over the spiritual miracle. Their request for Jesus to "depart out of their coasts" signifies a rejection of His presence and authority. This echoes similar instances where people preferred darkness to light (John 3:19).
  • The Cost of God's Presence: The narrative subtly points to the idea that encountering God's power can come with a "cost" or challenge to one's comfort zone, possessions, or established way of life. For the Gerasenes, this cost was tangible and immediate: the loss of their livelihood. They were unwilling to pay it for the sake of spiritual blessing or the presence of the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek verb translated "pray him" (παρεκάλουν - parekaloun) means to "call alongside," "exhort," or "implore." It indicates a strong, urgent request. The term "coasts" (ὁρίων - horiōn) refers to their boundaries, territory, or region. So, they were strongly urging Jesus to leave their entire area, not just a specific spot.

Practical Application

Mark 5:17 serves as a powerful reminder for us today: How do we react when God's presence or intervention challenges our comfort, finances, or preconceived notions? Are we willing to embrace the transformative power of Christ, even when it might lead to disruption or perceived loss, or do we, like the Gerasenes, ask Him to depart from the "coasts" of our lives? This verse encourages us to examine our priorities and ensure that our love for God and His kingdom outweighs our attachment to worldly possessions or personal comfort.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 8:34

    And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought [him] that he would depart out of their coasts.

  • Mark 1:24

    Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

  • Acts 16:39

    And they came and besought them, and brought [them] out, and desired [them] to depart out of the city.

  • Mark 5:7

    And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, [thou] Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

  • Luke 8:37

    Then 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.

  • Luke 5:8

    When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

  • Genesis 26:16

    And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
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