Mark 5:19

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Howbeit {G1161} Jesus {G2424} suffered {G863} him {G846} not {G3756}, but {G235} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Go {G5217} home {G1519}{G3624}{G4675} to {G4314} thy friends {G4674}, and {G2532} tell {G312} them {G846} how great things {G3745} the Lord {G2962} hath done {G4160} for thee {G4671}, and {G2532} hath had compassion {G1653} on thee {G4571}.

But Yeshua would not permit it. Instead, he said to him, "Go home to your people, and tell them how much ADONAI in his mercy has done for you."

But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.”

And he suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how he had mercy on thee.

Commentary

Mark 5:19 presents a pivotal moment following the miraculous healing of the Gerasene demoniac, a man who had been tormented by a legion of demons. Instead of allowing the newly freed man to follow Him, Jesus gives a unique and powerful instruction: to return home and share his transformative experience.

Context

This verse immediately follows one of Jesus' most dramatic miracles described in Mark 5:1-18. The man was living among tombs, uncontrollable and violent, until Jesus cast out the multitude of demons into a herd of swine, which then drowned. Now sane, clothed, and in his right mind, the man desired to follow Jesus. However, unlike many other instances where Jesus commanded silence after a healing (e.g., Mark 1:44), here He explicitly tells the man to proclaim what the Lord had done for him to his own community. This setting, in gentile territory, may have influenced Jesus' directive, as direct testimony could be more effective than a messianic claim at this stage.

Key Themes

  • Personal Testimony and Witnessing: Jesus commissions the man to be a powerful witness, not through theological discourse, but through his personal story of deliverance. This highlights the effectiveness of sharing one's direct experience of God's grace.
  • The Compassion of Christ: The phrase "hath had compassion on thee" underscores Jesus' deep empathy and mercy towards those suffering under spiritual bondage or any affliction. It's a foundational aspect of His character and ministry.
  • Divine Power and Deliverance: The "great things the Lord hath done" refers to the extraordinary act of casting out an entire "legion" of demons, demonstrating God's supreme authority over evil and His ability to bring complete restoration.
  • Mission Begins at Home: Instead of a broader, itinerant ministry, the man's immediate mission field is his own family and friends. This teaches that our first sphere of influence for sharing the Gospel is often our closest relationships and community.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "suffered him not" comes from the Greek ouk aphēken (οὐκ ἀφῆκεν), meaning "did not permit" or "did not allow." This emphasizes Jesus' clear and direct instruction. The "great things" (Greek: hoson ho Kyrios pepoiēken, ὅσα ὁ Κύριος πεποίηκεν) literally means "how many things the Lord has done," highlighting the magnitude and comprehensive nature of the divine intervention. The term "compassion" (Greek: eleos, ἔλεος) signifies God's active pity and kindness, often leading to tangible acts of deliverance and mercy.

Practical Application

Mark 5:19 encourages believers today to share their own stories of how God has worked in their lives. Your personal testimony, detailing "how great things the Lord hath done for thee," is a unique and compelling tool for evangelism, especially within your immediate circle of family and friends. It reminds us that our primary mission field often begins right where we are, with those who know us best. It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's redeeming power and boundless compassion for all who are bound by sin or suffering, urging us to proclaim His goodness.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 66:16

    Come [and] hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

  • John 4:29

    Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

  • Daniel 6:25

    ¶ Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

  • Daniel 6:27

    He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

  • Acts 22:1

    ¶ Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence [which I make] now unto you.

  • Acts 22:21

    And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

  • Isaiah 38:9

    ¶ The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness: