Mark 5:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

and the people began begging Yeshua to leave their district.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the dramatic exorcism of a legion of demons from a man in the region of the Gerasenes, an event that resulted in a large herd of pigs drowning, the local inhabitants were confronted with the immense, disruptive power of Jesus. Instead of embracing the miraculous healing and the presence of the Son of God, their overwhelming fear and concern over their economic loss led them to urgently implore Jesus to depart from their territory, highlighting a profound human tendency to prioritize comfort and material security over divine transformation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 5:17 immediately follows one of Jesus' most spectacular miracles: the healing of the Gerasene demoniac. This man, tormented by a "legion" of demons, lived among the tombs and was uncontrollable. Jesus confronts the demons, who recognize Him as the "Son of the Most High God" and beg not to be sent out of the country. At their request, Jesus permits them to enter a large herd of pigs, which then rush down a steep bank into the Sea of Galilee and drown, approximately two thousand of them ([Mark 5:13](/mark/5-13 "Mark 5:13 - The Drowning Pigs")). The swineherds, witnessing this terrifying event, flee and spread the news throughout the surrounding city and countryside. When the people arrive, they find the formerly demon-possessed man—who had been a terror to the region—now sitting calmly, clothed, and in his "right mind" ([Mark 5:15](/mark/5-15 "Mark 5:15 - The Healed Man Restored")). This verse captures the community's astonishing reaction to this display of divine power, which, despite its redemptive nature, also brought significant economic disruption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, in parallel accounts) was part of the Decapolis, a confederation of ten Hellenistic cities primarily populated by Gentiles. This explains the presence of a large herd of pigs, an animal considered unclean by Jewish law, which would not have been raised by Jews. The economic impact of losing two thousand pigs would have been substantial, representing a significant portion of the local economy. For a Gentile community, the concept of a divine being exercising such power, even if beneficial to one individual, could be deeply unsettling and disruptive to their established order and livelihoods. Their fear stemmed not from a theological understanding of God's holiness, but from a pragmatic concern over the immense, uncontrollable power that had just destroyed their property and challenged their sense of security.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several recurring themes in Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. One prominent theme is **Fear Over Faith**, where human beings, confronted with the disruptive, awe-inspiring power of God, often react with fear rather than worship or acceptance. The Gerasenes prioritize their material well-being (the loss of the pigs) over the spiritual miracle of a man's deliverance, echoing the human tendency to cling to the familiar and comfortable rather than embrace transformative divine intervention. This leads directly to the theme of the **Rejection of the Divine**, as their request for Jesus to "depart out of their coasts" signifies a clear rejection of His presence and authority. This motif of rejection, though painful, is a recurring element in Jesus' ministry, foreshadowing His ultimate rejection by many in Jerusalem, as seen in passages like [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own"). Finally, the narrative subtly introduces the theme of **The Cost of God's Presence**, suggesting that encountering God's power can challenge one's comfort zone, possessions, or established way of life. For the Gerasenes, this cost was tangible and immediate, leading them to choose their perceived security over the Messiah's presence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **began (Greek, _árchomai'_):** This word signifies the initiation of an action, to "commence" or "start." In this context, it highlights that the request was not a sudden, impulsive outburst but a deliberate, collective decision to begin the process of asking Jesus to leave. It suggests a unified, urgent desire among the people.
* **pray (Greek, _parakaléō'_):** Derived from "to call near," this verb means to "beseech," "exhort," "implore," or "comfort." Here, it carries the sense of an urgent, strong request or entreaty. It's not a casual suggestion but a fervent plea, indicating the depth of their desire for Jesus to depart. They were not merely asking, but earnestly begging Him to go.
* **coasts (Greek, _hórion'_):: This term refers to a "boundary-line" or a "frontier region." It implies not just a specific spot, but their entire territory or district. Their request was for Jesus to leave their whole area, signifying a complete and decisive rejection of His presence within their community's borders.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they began to pray him":** This phrase emphasizes the collective and deliberate nature of the community's response. The use of "began" suggests an immediate and unified action, indicating that their fear and concern over the economic loss and the sheer power displayed by Jesus quickly coalesced into a singular, urgent request. They didn't merely observe; they actively initiated an appeal.
* **"to depart out of their coasts":** This specifies the content and scope of their plea. "To depart" signifies a desire for Jesus' complete absence, while "out of their coasts" (their territory or region) underscores the totality of their rejection. They wanted Him gone from their entire sphere of influence, demonstrating a profound discomfort with His presence and the disruption it brought, prioritizing their material security over the spiritual deliverance and divine power He represented.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs several powerful literary devices in this passage. **Irony** is prominent: the very one who brings deliverance and restoration is asked to leave. Jesus, the Son of God, who has just freed a man from unimaginable torment, is perceived as a threat rather than a savior by the community. This creates a stark **Contrast** between the Gerasene demoniac, who, once healed, desperately desires to stay with Jesus ([Mark 5:18](/mark/5-18 "Mark 5:18 - The Healed Man's Desire")), and the community, who urgently wants Him gone. This highlights the human tendency to value material comfort and predictability over the disruptive, transformative power of God. Furthermore, the event serves as a **Symbolism** for the broader rejection of Christ by those who prioritize worldly concerns over spiritual truth, a theme that recurs throughout the Gospels.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Gerasenes' request for Jesus to depart stands as a sobering testament to humanity's frequent preference for comfort and control over the transformative, sometimes disruptive, presence of God. This response highlights a profound theological truth: divine power, though inherently good and redemptive, can be perceived as threatening when it challenges established orders, economic interests, or personal security. The people were not rejecting evil, but rather the very source of good, because His presence came with a perceived cost. This incident underscores the spiritual blindness that can afflict those who prioritize the temporal over the eternal, demonstrating how fear and material attachment can eclipse faith and the recognition of God's saving work. It serves as a stark reminder that true encounter with God often demands a reordering of priorities, and not all are willing to pay that cost.

* [Matthew 8:34](/matthew/8-34 "Matthew 8:34 - Parallel Account of Gerasenes' Request")
* [Luke 8:37](/luke/8-37 "Luke 8:37 - Parallel Account of Gerasenes' Request")
* [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:17 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, prompting us to honestly examine our own reactions when God's presence or intervention challenges our comfort zones, financial security, or preconceived notions. Do we, like the Gerasenes, subtly or overtly ask Jesus to "depart out of our coasts" when His call to discipleship demands a sacrifice, a change in lifestyle, or a surrender of control? This verse challenges us to consider what "pigs" we might be unwilling to lose for the sake of God's kingdom—whether they be material possessions, social status, personal ambitions, or even deeply ingrained habits. True spiritual transformation often involves disruption and a reordering of priorities. The Gerasenes chose their pigs over the presence of the Messiah; we are called to choose the Messiah over anything that hinders our full surrender to His will. This passage encourages us to cultivate a heart that welcomes God's transformative power, even when it comes with a cost, trusting that His ultimate purpose is always for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "coasts" or areas of your life might you be subtly asking Jesus to depart from, perhaps due to fear of disruption or loss?**
* **How do you typically react when God's will challenges your comfort, finances, or established routines?**
* **What "pigs" (i.e., material possessions, security, or habits) might you be prioritizing over a deeper relationship with Christ and His transformative work in your life?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a greater willingness to embrace God's presence, even when it leads to discomfort or perceived loss?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Gerasenes ask Jesus to leave after such a powerful miracle?**

Answer: The Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave primarily out of fear and economic concern. While Jesus performed an incredible miracle by delivering the demon-possessed man, this act also resulted in the destruction of a large herd of pigs, which represented a significant financial loss to the community. Their reaction was not one of faith or awe at the divine power, but rather a pragmatic response to the disruption and perceived threat to their livelihood and established order. They feared the unpredictable and immense power Jesus wielded, choosing their material security over His continued presence. This is also paralleled in [Matthew 8:34](/matthew/8-34 "Matthew 8:34 - Gerasenes' Fear") and [Luke 8:37](/luke/8-37 "Luke 8:37 - Gerasenes' Request").

**Was it right for Jesus to allow the pigs to drown?**

Answer: From a theological perspective, Jesus' actions were just. The pigs, being unclean animals according to Jewish law, were not inherently valuable in the same way human life is. More importantly, Jesus' primary objective was the deliverance of the man tormented by a legion of demons. The destruction of the pigs demonstrated the immense power of the demonic forces and, more significantly, the even greater power of Jesus over them. It served as a visible, undeniable sign of the spiritual victory achieved. While it caused economic loss, it highlighted the infinitely greater value of a human soul delivered from spiritual bondage, a truth the Gerasenes tragically failed to grasp. This event underscores the spiritual reality that spiritual freedom often comes at a cost, and that God's priorities are not always aligned with human material concerns.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:17, while seemingly a moment of rejection, paradoxically highlights the expansive nature of Christ's redemptive mission and foreshadows the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish borders. Though asked to depart, Jesus did not leave the region without ensuring His work would continue. He instructed the healed Gerasene demoniac, who desired to follow Him, to instead "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you" ([Mark 5:19](/mark/5-19 "Mark 5:19 - The Commission of the Healed Man")). This man, a Gentile, became the first missionary to the Decapolis, proclaiming the good news of Jesus in a region where Jesus Himself was rejected. This act of commissioning a rejected individual to spread the message in a rejecting territory beautifully prefigures the broader pattern of God's redemptive plan: the rejection of Christ by many within Israel ultimately paved the way for the Gospel to be carried to the Gentiles, as seen in the book of Acts ([Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "Acts 13:46 - Turning to the Gentiles")). Jesus' "departure" from their coasts was not a defeat, but a strategic move in God's sovereign plan, demonstrating that even human rejection cannot thwart the divine purpose, but rather can be used to advance the kingdom, ultimately culminating in the universal call to salvation through His sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.