Mark 5:20

KJV

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all [men] did marvel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he departed {G565}, and {G2532} began {G756} to publish {G2784} in {G1722} Decapolis {G1179} how great things {G3745} Jesus {G2424} had done {G4160} for him {G846}: and {G2532} all {G3956} men did marvel {G2296}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He went off and began proclaiming in the Ten Towns how much Yeshua had done for him, and everyone was amazed.

Berean Standard Bible

So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

American Standard Version

And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men marvelled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:20 powerfully depicts the immediate and zealous obedience of the formerly demon-possessed man, who, rather than following Jesus as he desired, returned to his home region of Decapolis to widely proclaim the miraculous "great things" Jesus had done for him. This public testimony, extending beyond the man's immediate circle, caused widespread astonishment and served as an early, unsolicited Gentile mission, highlighting the transformative power of Christ and the compelling nature of personal witness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 5:20 concludes the dramatic account of Jesus' encounter with the Gerasene demoniac, a narrative rich in displays of divine authority. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has cast out a "legion" of demons from the man, sending them into a herd of swine that subsequently drown in the sea [Mark 5:1-13](/mark/5-1-13 "Mark 5:1-13 - The Gerasene Demoniac"). The local inhabitants, witnessing this astonishing yet terrifying event, implore Jesus to leave their region [Mark 5:14-17](/mark/5-14-17 "Mark 5:14-17 - The People's Reaction"). The healed man, now restored to his right mind, expresses a desire to follow Jesus [Mark 5:18](/mark/5-18 "Mark 5:18 - The Healed Man's Desire"). However, in a surprising turn, Jesus instructs him to return home and share his testimony with his friends and family, emphasizing God's compassion and great work in his life [Mark 5:19](/mark/5-19 "Mark 5:19 - Jesus' Instruction"). Verse 20 reveals the man's profound obedience, not only fulfilling Jesus' command but expanding its scope, transforming him into an immediate and effective evangelist in a largely Gentile territory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Decapolis" (Greek for "Ten Cities") was a confederation of ten Hellenistic cities, primarily Gentile in population, located east of the Jordan River and south of the Sea of Galilee. These cities, including places like Gadara and Gerasa, were centers of Greco-Roman culture and commerce, distinct from the predominantly Jewish regions where Jesus typically ministered. The local inhabitants' fear and request for Jesus to depart [Mark 5:17](/mark/5-17 "Mark 5:17 - The Request for Jesus to Depart") likely stemmed from a combination of awe at His power, economic loss (the swine), and perhaps a cultural discomfort with the disruption of their established order. The healed man's mission into this Gentile territory is significant, as it foreshadows the broader spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, a theme central to the early church's mission as seen in [Acts](/acts/1 "Acts 1 - The Early Church").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates **Jesus' absolute authority** over demonic forces and mental illness, demonstrating His capacity to bring order out of chaos and sanity out of madness, a theme consistently highlighted in [Mark](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits"). Furthermore, it underscores the **power of personal testimony**, showing how an individual's transformed life and spoken witness can profoundly impact others, even leading them to "marvel" at God's work. The man's zealous obedience, extending his witness beyond the explicit command to "go home," highlights the theme of **spontaneous evangelism** fueled by gratitude. Finally, the setting in Decapolis emphasizes the **spread of the Gospel to Gentile regions**, an early indication that Jesus' redemptive work was not confined to Israel but intended for all nations, a foundational concept for the Great Commission in [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Decapolis (Greek, _Dekápolis'_):** From δέκα (deka, "ten") and πόλις (polis, "city"), this term refers to a specific "ten-city region" in Syria. Its inclusion here is crucial as it identifies the geographical and cultural context of the man's mission—a predominantly Gentile area. This detail highlights the expansive reach of Jesus' impact, extending beyond Jewish territories and setting the stage for the universal call of the Gospel.
* **publish (Greek, _kērýssō'_):** This verb means "to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)." It implies a formal, public, and authoritative proclamation, not merely casual conversation. The man was not just sharing a story; he was acting as a herald, announcing the "great things" Jesus had done, effectively serving as an unsent missionary who publicly declared the good news of his transformation.
* **marvel (Greek, _thaumázō'_):** Derived from θαῦμα (thauma, "wonder"), this word means "to wonder; by implication, to admire." The people's reaction of marveling indicates profound astonishment and awe at the extraordinary nature of the miracle and the man's undeniable transformation. It signifies a recognition of something beyond the ordinary, pointing to the divine power at work through Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he departed":** This phrase indicates the man's immediate and decisive action following Jesus' instruction in [Mark 5:19](/mark/5-19 "Mark 5:19 - Jesus' Instruction"). He did not hesitate but promptly left Jesus' presence to fulfill the command, demonstrating a profound shift from his previous state of wildness and disobedience.
* **"and began to publish in Decapolis":** This describes the man's primary activity and geographical scope. "Publish" (kērýssō) signifies a public, widespread proclamation, indicating that he became an active and zealous herald of Jesus' work. His choice to publish "in Decapolis" shows his initiative to go beyond his immediate "friends" (as instructed in [Mark 5:19](/mark/5-19 "Mark 5:19 - Jesus' Instruction")) and share his testimony in a broader, largely Gentile region.
* **"how great things Jesus had done for him":** This is the content of the man's message. His testimony focused on the specific, powerful, and transformative actions of Jesus in his own life—casting out the legion of demons, restoring his sanity, and delivering him from his torment. The emphasis is on "great things," highlighting the extraordinary nature of Jesus' miracle.
* **"and all [men] did marvel":** This describes the widespread reaction to the man's testimony. The people were astonished and amazed, indicating the undeniable evidence of the man's transformation and the extraordinary power of Jesus. Their "marveling" suggests a profound impact, perhaps leading to curiosity or even belief, setting the stage for future encounters with Jesus in this region.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 5:20 employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is evident in Jesus' instruction for the man to go home, yet the man's zealous obedience leads him to "publish in Decapolis," effectively becoming an unsolicited missionary to a wider, Gentile audience. This highlights the transformative power of grace, which often compels individuals to exceed expectations in their devotion. **Contrast** is also present, juxtaposing the fear and rejection of Jesus by the local townspeople [Mark 5:17](/mark/5-17 "Mark 5:17 - The People's Request for Jesus to Depart") with the healed man's eager and effective proclamation of Jesus' goodness. The narrative uses **Emphasis** through repetition of the idea of "great things" (Mark 5:19-20), underscoring the profound nature of Jesus' work. Furthermore, the man's actions serve as a **Foreshadowing** of the broader Gentile mission of the early church, demonstrating that the good news of Jesus' power and compassion was not confined to Jewish lands but destined for all peoples.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:20 stands as a foundational text for understanding the power and necessity of personal testimony in the spread of the Gospel. The man, once an outcast and a terror, becomes a living testament to Jesus' transformative power. His story underscores that true evangelism often begins with a personal encounter with Christ, leading to an undeniable change that compels one to share what God has done. This spontaneous, Spirit-empowered witness, even from an unlikely source, can have a profound impact, stirring wonder and opening hearts in regions previously unreceptive to the message. It reveals God's strategy of using transformed individuals to carry His message, demonstrating that the most effective evangelism flows from a grateful heart proclaiming the "great things" of Jesus.

* [Psalm 66:16](/psalms/66-16 "Psalm 66:16 - Come and Hear")
* [Acts 4:20](/acts/4-20 "Acts 4:20 - We Cannot But Speak")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Proclaiming God's Praises")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:20 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for believers today. The formerly demon-possessed man, who had every reason to be marginalized or silenced, became an immediate and powerful evangelist simply by sharing his personal story of transformation. This teaches us that our most potent tool for witness is often our own testimony—what Jesus "had done for him." We are called not to merely intellectualize faith, but to embody and articulate the living reality of Christ's work in our lives. Just as the man's zeal led him beyond the explicit command to his "friends" to the wider "Decapolis," so too should our gratitude and love for Christ compel us to share His goodness in our homes, workplaces, communities, and beyond, recognizing that our transformed lives are compelling evidence of His power. We are all called to be heralds of the "great things" Jesus has done, trusting that our authentic witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can lead others to marvel at His grace and compassion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "great things" has Jesus done in your life that you can share with others?**
* **In what "Decapolis" (unlikely or challenging spheres) is God calling you to share your testimony?**
* **How can you move beyond private conversations to more public or widespread "publishing" of God's work in your life?**
* **What fears or inhibitions might prevent you from zealously proclaiming Jesus' goodness, and how can you overcome them?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus tell the man to go home instead of letting him follow Him, as others did?**

Answer: Jesus' instruction to the man in [Mark 5:19](/mark/5-19 "Mark 5:19 - Jesus' Instruction") to "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee" was a strategic and unique command tailored to the specific context. Unlike His disciples who were called to leave everything and follow Him, this man was in a Gentile region where Jesus had been asked to depart. By sending the healed man back, Jesus established a living witness in a territory where He Himself would not spend much time. The man's transformed life and personal testimony became a powerful, indigenous missionary presence, preparing hearts for future encounters with the Gospel. It demonstrated that God uses diverse methods and calls individuals to different forms of service, sometimes sending them back to their familiar environments to be a light there.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the Gerasene demoniac and his subsequent proclamation in Decapolis finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The man's deliverance from a "legion" of demons and his restoration to sanity vividly prefigure Christ's ultimate victory over the powers of darkness and sin, a victory fully realized in His death and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). The "great things Jesus had done for him" are a microcosm of the greater work Christ accomplishes for all humanity—delivering us from the bondage of sin, restoring our minds and souls, and bringing us into a right relationship with God ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). The man's zealous mission in Decapolis, a Gentile region, foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel, demonstrating that Jesus' redemptive work is not limited to one people group but extends to "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). He became an early, living testament to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), a pre-Pentecost example of a Spirit-empowered witness proclaiming the saving power of Christ to those who had not yet known Him.

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 4:25

And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and [from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond Jordan.

Mark 7:31

¶ And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.