Mark 5:5

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

And {G2532} always {G1275}, night {G3571} and {G2532} day {G2250}, he was {G2258} in {G1722} the mountains {G3735}, and {G2532} in {G1722} the tombs {G3418}, crying {G2896}, and {G2532} cutting {G2629} himself {G1438} with stones {G3037}.

Night and day he wandered among the graves and through the hills, howling and gashing himself with stones.

Night and day in the tombs and in the mountains he kept crying out and cutting himself with stones.

And always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones.

Mark 5:5 offers a stark and harrowing glimpse into the life of the Gerasene demoniac, a man utterly consumed by evil spirits before his encounter with Jesus. This verse vividly portrays his constant torment and the extreme conditions of his existence.

Context

This verse is part of the introductory description of the man whom Jesus encounters in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes), as detailed in Mark chapter 5, verses 1-20. Living in the desolate areas among the tombs and mountains, he was an outcast, feared by society, and beyond any human control or restraint. The tombs, places of death and ritual impurity, underscore the profound spiritual and physical desolation of his condition, making his dwelling place a symbol of his utter separation from human community and well-being.

Key Themes

  • Unrelenting Suffering: The phrase "always, night and day" emphasizes the continuous, inescapable torment the man endured. His "crying" was not merely weeping but a desperate, loud expression of his profound anguish and despair.
  • Extreme Demonic Oppression: The detail that he was "cutting himself with stones" is a chilling testament to the destructive power of the evil spirits controlling him. This self-mutilation highlights the complete loss of personal agency and the horrific influence of the demonic forces driving him to self-harm.
  • Profound Isolation and Helplessness: Dwelling in the wilderness, away from human habitation, signifies his complete alienation. No human efforts had been able to subdue or help him (as previous verses explain he could not be bound), setting the stage for the miraculous intervention of Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "crying" is krazōn (κράζων), which denotes a loud, vehement, and often desperate outcry or shriek, far more intense than a simple cry. It conveys the raw agony and tormented sounds emanating from him. The phrase "cutting himself" (katakoptōn heauton - κατακόπτων ἑαυτόν) powerfully illustrates the violent, self-inflicted wounds, emphasizing the depth of his torment and the malevolent control exerted over him by the demonic legion.

Significance and Application

Mark 5:5 serves as a profound illustration of human suffering under spiritual bondage, setting the stage for one of Jesus' most dramatic acts of deliverance. It offers several important insights:

  • The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: This verse is a stark reminder of the destructive power of evil forces and the reality of spiritual oppression. It underscores the biblical truth that believers engage in a spiritual battle, not merely against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).
  • Empathy for the Afflicted: The graphic description calls for deep compassion for those who suffer from mental anguish, self-harm, or spiritual oppression, whether in ancient times or today.
  • The Supreme Authority of Jesus: The seemingly insurmountable nature of the man's condition highlights the unparalleled power and authority of Jesus Christ. The severity of the man's state underscores the magnitude of Jesus' subsequent deliverance, demonstrating that He alone possesses the power to bring complete freedom and restoration where all human efforts fail. This story ultimately points to Christ as the ultimate source of hope and healing for all who are bound.
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.

  • Job 2:7

    ¶ So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

  • Job 2:8

    And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

  • 1 Kings 18:28

    And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

  • John 8:44

    Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

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