Mark 5:20

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

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}.

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

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

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

Context of Mark 5:20

Mark 5:20 concludes the powerful narrative of Jesus casting a "legion" of demons out of a man in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes). Prior to this verse, Jesus encounters the demon-possessed man, who lived among the tombs and could not be bound (Mark 5:1-5). Jesus demonstrates His absolute authority by commanding the demons to leave the man and enter a herd of swine, which then rush into the sea and drown (Mark 5:6-13). The local people, witnessing this astonishing event, are filled with fear and ask Jesus to depart from their region (Mark 5:14-17). The healed man, now clothed and in his right mind, desired to follow Jesus (Mark 5:18). However, Jesus gives him a specific instruction in Mark 5:19: "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Verse 20 shows the man's immediate and zealous obedience, extending his testimony beyond his immediate circle.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Power of Personal Testimony: The verse highlights the profound impact of sharing what God has personally done in one's life. The man's transformation was undeniable, and his willingness to "publish" it served as a powerful witness to Jesus' divine power.
  • Jesus' Transforming Authority: This account powerfully illustrates Jesus' authority over spiritual forces, sickness, and the human mind. He brought order out of chaos and sanity out of madness.
  • Zealous Obedience and Evangelism: While Jesus told the man to go home, the man's zeal led him to proclaim the good news throughout the entire region of Decapolis. This demonstrates a passionate response to God's grace and an eagerness to share the Gospel. It foreshadows the broader call to make disciples of all nations.
  • The Spread of the Gospel into Gentile Regions: The Decapolis was a region of ten mostly Gentile cities. This event marks an early instance of Jesus' fame and the message of His kingdom spreading into non-Jewish territories, preparing the way for future missionary efforts.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Decapolis": This term (Greek: Dekapolis) literally means "Ten Cities." It refers to a confederation of ten largely autonomous cities in the eastern Roman province of Syria, primarily Gentile in population. This detail is significant as it shows the man becoming an unsolicited missionary to a region where Jesus Himself spent less time during His earthly ministry.
  • "publish": The Greek word used here is kēryssō (κηρύσσω), which means "to proclaim, to herald, to preach publicly." It implies a formal and widespread announcement, not merely a private conversation. This man became a herald of Jesus' work.
  • "marvel": The Greek word is thaumazō (θαυμάζω), meaning "to wonder, to be astonished, to be amazed." The people's reaction underscores the extraordinary nature of Jesus' miracle and the man's transformation.

Practical Application

Mark 5:20 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. Just as the formerly demon-possessed man became an immediate and effective witness, we too are called to share our testimonies of what "great things Jesus had done for" us. Our personal experiences of God's grace, healing, and transformation are potent tools for evangelism. We are not to keep His work hidden but to proclaim it boldly, in our homes, communities, and beyond. This verse encourages us to be zealous in sharing the good news, understanding that our witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can lead others to marvel at the Lord's compassion and power.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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