Who had [his] dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Who {G3739} had {G2192} his dwelling {G2731} among {G1722} the tombs {G3419}; and {G2532} no man {G3762} could {G1410} bind {G1210} him {G846}, no, not {G3777} with chains {G254}:
He lived in the burial caves; and no one could keep him tied up, not even with a chain.
This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains.
who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain;
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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; -
Daniel 4:32
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling [shall be] with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. -
Daniel 4:33
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws]. -
Luke 8:29
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) -
Mark 9:18
And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. -
Mark 9:22
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
Mark 5:3 introduces us to a man in a truly desperate and terrifying condition, setting the stage for one of Jesus' most dramatic miracles. This verse is part of the account of the Gerasene (or Gadarene) demoniac, a powerful narrative illustrating Jesus' ultimate authority over spiritual forces.
Context
This verse describes the extreme state of a man possessed by a multitude of demons in the region of the Gerasenes, on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. The preceding verse, Mark 5:2, introduces him as "a man with an unclean spirit" coming out of the tombs. His "dwelling among the tombs" highlights his utter destitution, isolation, and ritual impurity. Tombs were considered unclean places, and for someone to live there indicated a complete severance from normal society and a deep spiritual affliction. The phrase "no man could bind him, no, not with chains" further emphasizes the supernatural, uncontrollable strength he possessed due to the demonic influence. Human attempts to restrain him, even with the strongest physical means, proved utterly futile.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "dwelling" here is katoikēsis (κατοίκησις), which implies a settled, permanent residence, not just a temporary shelter. This emphasizes the man's prolonged and entrenched state of living in this desolate, unclean environment. The repeated attempts to "bind" him (Greek: dēsai, δῆσαι) highlight the futility of human efforts against supernatural strength.
Practical Application
Mark 5:3 reminds us that some struggles are beyond human capability to resolve. It points to the reality of spiritual warfare and the devastating effects of evil. For those facing situations that seem hopeless or uncontrollable, this verse, in the context of the full narrative of the Gerasene demoniac, offers profound hope. It underscores that only Jesus Christ possesses the ultimate authority to break every chain, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. His power extends even to the most extreme forms of bondage, offering true liberty and restoration. This account encourages us to turn to Christ when human solutions fail, recognizing His supreme power over all darkness and oppression.