Mark 5:2

KJV

And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when he {G846} was come {G1831} out of {G1537} the ship {G4143}, immediately {G2112} there met {G528} him {G846} out of {G1537} the tombs {G3419} a man {G444} with {G1722} an unclean {G169} spirit {G4151},

Complete Jewish Bible

As soon as he disembarked, a man with an unclean spirit came out of the burial caves to meet him.

Berean Standard Bible

As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, He was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who was coming from the tombs.

American Standard Version

And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Upon landing on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, immediately after calming a furious storm, Jesus is confronted by a man possessed by an unclean spirit, who emerges from the tombs. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic encounter that vividly demonstrates Jesus' supreme authority over demonic forces and His boundless compassion for those utterly outcast and afflicted.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 5:2 immediately follows the profound narrative of Jesus calming the storm in [Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35-41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm"), an event that left His disciples awestruck and questioning His identity ("Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"). The transition is abrupt, characteristic of Mark's Gospel, moving from Jesus' authority over creation to His authority over spiritual forces. The verse serves as the introduction to the extensive account of the Gerasene demoniac's deliverance ([Mark 5:1-20](/mark/5-1-20 "Mark 5:1-20 - The Gerasene Demoniac")), highlighting that Jesus' arrival in this Gentile region instantly precipitates a direct confrontation with evil, underscoring the pervasive nature of spiritual darkness and the immediate challenge it poses to the Kingdom of God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting, "out of the tombs," is highly significant. In Jewish culture, tombs were places of death and ritual impurity ([Numbers 19:16](/numbers/19-16 "Numbers 19:16 - Impurity from a Corpse")). Contact with a corpse or burial site rendered a person unclean, requiring purification rituals. For a man to dwell among them indicated an extreme state of defilement, social isolation, and perhaps even madness, making him an outcast feared and avoided by society. The region, identified as the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes/Gergesenes in parallel accounts), was predominantly Gentile, east of the Sea of Galilee. This geographical detail emphasizes Jesus' ministry extending beyond Jewish territories, confronting evil even in regions considered "unclean" by Jewish standards, demonstrating His universal mission.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the chapter and the broader Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it immediately signals a **Confrontation with Evil**, showcasing Jesus' direct engagement with demonic powers, fulfilling His mission to [destroy the works of the devil](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Christ Destroys the Works of the Devil"). Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' Authority**; the demon-possessed man's immediate appearance and subsequent interaction with Jesus subtly foreshadow the complete submission of these powerful spiritual entities to Christ's command, as seen in [Mark 5:7-8](/mark/5-7-8 "Mark 5:7-8 - The Demons' Recognition of Jesus"). Thirdly, it powerfully demonstrates **Compassion for the Outcast**. The man living among the tombs was the epitome of marginalization and suffering, yet Jesus does not recoil from this defiled place or the afflicted individual, embodying His boundless love and desire to bring healing and restoration to the most desperate, echoing themes found in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission to the Oppressed").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **immediately (Greek, _euthéōs'_):** This adverb (G2112), characteristic of Mark's Gospel, emphasizes the rapid, decisive nature of events in Jesus' ministry. Here, it highlights the instant appearance of the demon-possessed man, underscoring the immediate confrontation between divine authority and demonic power as soon as Jesus steps ashore. It conveys a sense of urgency and directness in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
* **tombs (Greek, _mnēmeîon'_):** Referring to a "cenotaph (place of interment)" (G3419), these were burial sites, often caves or rock-cut tombs, considered ritually unclean in Jewish tradition. The man's dwelling among them signifies his profound social isolation, spiritual defilement, and utter separation from human society, marking him as an outcast beyond conventional help or hope.
* **unclean spirit (Greek, _akáthartos pneûma'_):** The term "unclean" (G169, _akáthartos_) denotes impurity—ceremonial, moral, or demonic—while "spirit" (G4151, _pneûma_) refers to a non-physical entity, in this context, a malevolent demon. This phrase clearly identifies the man's affliction as demonic possession, highlighting the spirit's defiling, oppressive, and anti-God nature, which tormented the man and rendered him a danger to himself and others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he was come out of the ship":** This clause signifies Jesus' arrival on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, specifically the Gentile region of the Gerasenes, immediately after His demonstration of authority over the natural elements. It marks the transition from one powerful display of His divine power to another, setting the stage for a new kind of confrontation.
* **"immediately there met him":** The adverb "immediately" (Greek: _euthéōs_) emphasizes the swiftness and directness of the encounter. It suggests that this meeting was not coincidental but a divinely orchestrated confrontation, highlighting the urgency and directness with which spiritual forces respond to the presence of Christ.
* **"out of the tombs":** This phrase specifies the man's dwelling place, which was a place of death and ritual impurity. It underscores the man's extreme social ostracization, his desperate and defiled condition, and the profound spiritual darkness that enveloped him, making him an object of fear and avoidance for others.
* **"a man with an unclean spirit":** This identifies the nature of the man's affliction: he was possessed by a demon. The "unclean spirit" signifies a malevolent, impure spiritual entity that controlled and tormented the man, rendering him dangerous and alienated from human society. This immediately frames the ensuing narrative as a direct conflict between Jesus' divine authority and the forces of evil.

#### Literary Devices
Mark's narrative in this verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Markan immediacy**, a hallmark of this Gospel, is evident in the repeated use of "immediately" (Greek: _euthéōs_). This adverb propels the narrative forward with a sense of urgency and divine purpose, emphasizing the swiftness of Jesus' actions and the immediate response of the spiritual realm to His presence. The **Symbolism** of the "tombs" is profound; they represent death, defilement, and utter despair, serving as a stark metaphor for the man's spiritual and social condition. His dwelling among the dead underscores his alienation from the living and his captivity to forces of darkness. Furthermore, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the immense power of Jesus. The fact that the demoniac immediately confronts Jesus, despite his wildness and isolation, suggests an unseen compulsion or recognition of Jesus' authority by the unclean spirit, setting the stage for the dramatic display of Christ's dominion over demons that is about to unfold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:2 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of Jesus' ministry and the reality of spiritual warfare. It reveals that Jesus' mission extends beyond physical healing and teaching; it directly confronts the dominion of darkness. By encountering the man in such a ritually impure and desolate place, Jesus demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of His redemptive power, regardless of their social standing, spiritual affliction, or perceived defilement. This encounter highlights the pervasive nature of evil in the world and Jesus' ultimate authority to liberate humanity from its grip, offering a profound message of hope and divine intervention in the face of overwhelming spiritual oppression.

* [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")
* [Luke 10:19](/luke/10-19 "Luke 10:19 - Authority Over All the Power of the Enemy")
* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:2 offers a profound invitation to consider the places where we, or those around us, might be dwelling "among the tombs"—places of spiritual death, isolation, despair, or even active oppression. Jesus' willingness to step out of the ship and immediately confront this man in his most desperate and "unclean" state reminds us that no situation, no person, is too far gone or too defiled for His compassionate intervention. This verse calls us to have courage in the face of spiritual darkness, recognizing that our Lord possesses supreme authority over all malevolent forces. It encourages us to bring our deepest struggles, our most hidden shames, and our most profound sense of being outcast into His presence, trusting that He desires to bring freedom, restoration, and a new beginning. For believers, it also serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need to rely on Christ's power rather than our own limited strength when confronting the forces of evil in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life, or in the lives of those I know, might there be "tombs" of despair, isolation, or spiritual oppression that need Jesus' liberating presence?**
* **How does Jesus' immediate confrontation with the unclean spirit in this verse encourage me to face my own fears or spiritual battles?**
* **What does this passage teach me about Jesus' compassion for the marginalized and "unclean," and how should that shape my interactions with others?**

### FAQ

**Why was the man living in the tombs, and what does that signify?**

Answer: The man was living in the tombs because he was possessed by an unclean spirit (or many, as revealed later in [Mark 5:9](/mark/5-9 "Mark 5:9 - Legion's Reply")). In ancient Jewish culture, tombs were considered ritually impure places, associated with death and decay. For someone to dwell there signified extreme social isolation, madness, and deep spiritual defilement. It meant he was an outcast, feared by society, unable to live among people, and completely controlled by the demonic forces that compelled him to live in such a desolate and unsettling environment. His dwelling place vividly symbolized his complete separation from normal human life and his profound spiritual bondage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:2, though a concise introduction, profoundly points to Christ's ultimate mission and victory. The immediate confrontation between Jesus and the man from the tombs, possessed by an unclean spirit, foreshadows the cosmic battle that Jesus came to win. He is not merely a healer or a teacher, but the sovereign Lord who invades the territory of death and darkness to reclaim what is His. This encounter prefigures Christ's ultimate triumph over sin, death, and the devil, as seen in His crucifixion and resurrection. Just as He met this man in his place of utter defilement and brought him freedom, so too does Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enter into the "tombs" of our fallen humanity to deliver us from the power of sin and death. His victory on the cross disarmed the spiritual forces of evil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), and through His resurrection, He offers new life and true freedom to all who are held captive, fulfilling the promise of [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - Good News to the Afflicted")—to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners. Jesus is the one who steps into our darkest places, not to condemn, but to redeem and restore us to wholeness, making us new creations in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

Mark 1:23

¶ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Mark 5:8

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, [thou] unclean spirit.

Isaiah 65:4

Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels;

Luke 9:42

And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare [him]. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

Mark 1:26

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

Mark 7:25

For a [certain] woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

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.