Mark 5:18

KJV

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when he {G846} was come {G1684} into {G1519} the ship {G4143}, he that had been possessed with the devil {G1139} prayed {G3870} him {G846} that {G2443} he might be {G5600} with {G3326} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been demonized begged him to be allowed to go with him.

Berean Standard Bible

As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him.

American Standard Version

And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:18 captures a deeply poignant moment immediately following Jesus' dramatic exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac. This verse reveals the heartfelt and earnest desire of the newly freed man to remain in the presence of his deliverer, Jesus, reflecting profound gratitude and an instinctive yearning for continued fellowship and discipleship after experiencing such a radical transformation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point in the narrative of the Gerasene demoniac. It directly follows the miraculous deliverance described in [Mark 5:1-17](/mark/5-1-17 "Mark 5:1-17 - The Exorcism of the Gerasene Demoniac"), where Jesus casts a "legion" of demons out of a tormented man and into a herd of pigs, which then drown in the sea. The local townspeople, upon witnessing the formerly deranged man "sitting, clothed, and in his right mind" ([Mark 5:15](/mark/5-15 "Mark 5:15 - The Demoniac Restored")), react with fear and beg Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus prepares to depart by boat, the healed man, whose life has been utterly transformed, approaches Him with a fervent request to accompany Him. This sets the stage for Jesus' surprising commission to the man in the subsequent verses ([Mark 5:19-20](/mark/5-19-20 "Mark 5:19-20 - The Demoniac's Commission")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, depending on the manuscript tradition), a Decapolis city located on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, a predominantly Gentile area. This geographical detail is significant, as Jesus' ministry often focused on Jewish communities. The presence of a large herd of pigs, considered unclean animals by Jewish law, further underscores the Gentile context. The man's living among the tombs highlights his complete social ostracization and ritual impurity, a common plight for those afflicted by severe demonic possession in that era. His desire to "be with" Jesus resonates with the common practice of discipleship in ancient Jewish culture, where students would physically accompany their rabbi to learn from his teachings and way of life.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 5:18 contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the **transformative power of Christ** over forces of evil and human brokenness, demonstrating that Jesus' authority extends even to the most desperate cases, bringing about complete restoration of mind, body, and spirit, as seen in the man being in his [right mind](/mark/5-15 "Mark 5:15 - The Demoniac Restored"). The man's fervent plea also introduces the theme of **discipleship and following Jesus**, showcasing a genuine, unadulterated desire to commit to the one who delivered him. Furthermore, the subsequent verses, where Jesus gives the man a different commission, highlight the theme of **God's diverse callings** for His followers, emphasizing that true discipleship may involve staying in one's own sphere of influence to bear witness to God's work, rather than always physically accompanying Jesus. This foreshadows the broader mission of the church to spread the good news.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **possessed with the devil (Greek, _daimonízomai'_):** This term, G1139, describes a state of being "exercised by a daemon." It signifies not merely influence, but a profound and oppressive control by malevolent spiritual entities, resulting in severe physical, mental, and social dysfunction. The man's prior condition, as described in [Mark 5:3-5](/mark/5-3-5 "Mark 5:3-5 - The Demoniac's Torment"), vividly illustrates the destructive power of this possession, making his subsequent restoration all the more miraculous.
* **prayed (Greek, _parakaléō'_):** G3870, this verb carries significant weight, meaning "to call near," "to invite," or "to invoke by imploration, hortation, or consolation." It indicates a strong plea, an earnest request, rather than a casual ask. The man's use of this word underscores the sincerity, intensity, and deep gratitude underlying his desire to accompany Jesus, reflecting a profound shift from his former tormented existence to one of devotion.
* **with (Greek, _metá'_):** G3326, this preposition denotes accompaniment, "amid," or "together with." In this context, it expresses the man's desire for close, continuous association and fellowship with Jesus. It signifies a longing for physical proximity and a continuation of the relationship initiated by his deliverance, mirroring the close relationship between a rabbi and his disciples.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he was come into the ship":** This clause describes Jesus' action of re-embarking on the vessel, indicating His intention to depart from the region. This movement highlights the immediate aftermath of the dramatic exorcism and the townspeople's request for Jesus to leave, setting the scene for the man's intervention.
* **"he that had been possessed with the devil":** This phrase identifies the subject of the verse, emphasizing his past identity and the radical transformation he has just undergone. The contrast between his former state of demonic oppression and his current state of restored sanity and desire for Jesus underscores the profound impact of Jesus' power.
* **"prayed him":** This signifies the man's earnest and heartfelt request directed towards Jesus. The choice of the verb "prayed" (from _parakaléō_) conveys the intensity and sincerity of his plea, born out of deep gratitude and newfound devotion.
* **"that he might be with him":** This reveals the content of the man's fervent prayer. His desire is for continuous companionship and discipleship with Jesus, a natural and understandable longing for one who has experienced such a profound deliverance and restoration at the hands of the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to heighten its impact. **Juxtaposition** is prominent, contrasting the fear-driven request of the townspeople for Jesus to leave ([Mark 5:17](/mark/5-17 "Mark 5:17 - The Townspeople's Fear")) with the healed man's fervent desire to stay with Jesus. This highlights the differing responses to divine power and mercy. There is also an element of **irony** in the fact that the one who was formerly an outcast and a terror is now the only one who truly desires to be in Jesus' presence, while the "normal" inhabitants reject Him. Furthermore, the man's plea for companionship can be seen as **foreshadowing** the theme of discipleship and the call to follow Jesus, a central motif throughout the Gospels, even though Jesus' specific commission for this man will take a different, yet equally vital, form.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:18 profoundly illustrates the immediate and overwhelming response of a soul delivered from spiritual bondage to the Deliverer. The man's desire to "be with" Jesus is a natural overflow of profound gratitude and a nascent understanding of who Jesus is—the one with ultimate authority over the powers of darkness and the source of true restoration. This yearning for proximity and fellowship with Christ is a theological theme that resonates throughout the New Testament, signifying a desire for true discipleship and intimate communion with God. While Jesus' subsequent command to the man deviates from his initial expectation, it underscores the truth that God's callings are diverse, always purposeful, and often involve bearing witness to His transformative power in one's own sphere of influence.

* [Luke 8:38-39](/luke/8-38-39 "Luke 8:38-39 - The Parallel Account and Commission")
* [John 15:16](/john/15-16 "John 15:16 - Jesus Chooses His Disciples")
* [Psalm 116:12-14](/psalms/116-12-14 "Psalm 116:12-14 - A Response of Gratitude")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Gerasene demoniac's earnest prayer to be with Jesus offers a powerful paradigm for our own response to God's grace and deliverance. When we truly grasp the magnitude of what Christ has done for us—freeing us from the bondage of sin, despair, or any form of spiritual oppression—our natural inclination should be a deep, abiding gratitude and an overwhelming desire to draw closer to Him. This verse challenges us to examine the authenticity of our own "followership." Do we merely admire Jesus from a distance, or do we, like this man, yearn for His presence and companionship in our lives? Furthermore, the subsequent narrative reminds us that while our desire to be with Jesus is paramount, His specific calling for us may involve a unique mission, often right where we are. Our personal testimony of His transformative power is a potent tool for evangelism, demonstrating that God can use anyone, anywhere, to declare His mighty works.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is your immediate, heartfelt response when you consider the deliverance and transformation Christ has brought into your life?**
* **In what ways do you currently express your desire to "be with" Jesus in your daily life?**
* **How might God be calling you to bear witness to His work in your own "Decapolis"—your family, community, or workplace—rather than in a distant mission field?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus not allow the man to follow Him like other disciples?**

Answer: While the man's desire to "be with" Jesus was noble and born out of sincere gratitude, Jesus had a different, equally vital, and strategic mission for him. Instead of joining the itinerant band of disciples, Jesus commissioned him to return to his own home and family to "tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you" ([Mark 5:19](/mark/5-19 "Mark 5:19 - Jesus' Commission to the Man")). This decision was likely multifaceted: it allowed the man to become a powerful, living testimony in a predominantly Gentile region where Jesus had been asked to leave, effectively planting a seed of the Gospel. It also demonstrated that discipleship isn't exclusively about physical proximity to Jesus, but about obedience to His specific call, which often involves sharing one's personal story of transformation right where one is.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:18, though seemingly a simple request, powerfully underscores the Christ-centered nature of deliverance and discipleship. The man's fervent prayer to "be with him" is a direct response to Jesus' unparalleled authority over the forces of evil, demonstrating that only Christ possesses the power to truly liberate humanity from spiritual bondage. Jesus, as the [Son of God](/mark/1-1 "Mark 1:1 - The Beginning of the Gospel"), is revealed as the ultimate Deliverer, whose compassion extends even to the most outcast and tormented individuals. His subsequent commission to the man, rather than allowing him to physically follow, highlights a deeper truth: Christ's ultimate purpose is not merely to gather a personal entourage, but to establish His Kingdom through the witness of transformed lives. This foreshadows the Great Commission, where believers are sent out by Christ to [make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"), bearing testimony to His redemptive work. Thus, the man's desire to be with Jesus is fulfilled not only in his personal relationship with Christ but also in his participation in Christ's ongoing mission to bring light to a dark world, becoming a living testament to the [mercies of God](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice").

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

Luke 8:38

Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

Luke 8:39

Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

Philippians 1:23

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Philippians 1:24

Nevertheless to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you.

Mark 5:17

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

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.

Psalms 116:12

What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me?