Mark 5:8

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

For {G1063} he said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Come {G1831} out of {G1537} the man {G444}, thou unclean {G169} spirit {G4151}.

For Yeshua had already begun saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of this man!"

For Jesus had already declared, “Come out of this man, you unclean spirit!”

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

Commentary

Mark 5:8 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, showcasing His absolute authority over spiritual forces. This verse is a direct command from Jesus to an oppressive entity, initiating a profound act of deliverance.

Context

This verse is part of the dramatic account of Jesus' encounter with the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes (also referred to as Gadarenes in some parallel accounts). Prior to this command, the man was living among the tombs, unbound by chains, and tormented by a multitude of evil spirits. The demons immediately recognized Jesus' divine identity and power, even before He spoke this explicit command. The full narrative, from Jesus' arrival to the man's restoration, can be explored further starting from Mark 5:1.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Supreme Authority: The most prominent theme is Jesus' undeniable power over evil spirits. His command is not a request but an authoritative declaration, demonstrating His inherent dominion. This resonates with earlier demonstrations of His power, such as His casting out of an unclean spirit in Capernaum.
  • The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: The interaction highlights the tangible reality of evil spiritual entities and their destructive influence on human lives. Jesus' ministry consistently confronted these forces.
  • Deliverance and Liberation: The command "Come out of the man" is the first step in the man's profound liberation from demonic oppression, leading to his restoration to sanity and community, as seen in Mark 5:15.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "unclean spirit" translates from the Greek pneuma akatharton (πνεῦμα ἀκάθαρτον). The term akatharton literally means "not clean," implying something ritually impure, defiling, or morally corrupt. This emphasizes the defiling nature of these spiritual entities, which oppose God's holiness and purity. Jesus' command, "Come out" (Greek: Exelthe), is a powerful imperative, reinforcing His divine authority and the immediate, undeniable effect of His word.

Significance and Application

Mark 5:8 serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' identity as the Son of God, possessing unparalleled authority over all creation, including the forces of evil. For believers today, this verse offers immense encouragement. It underscores the truth that no spiritual bondage is too strong for Christ to break. It teaches us to trust in Jesus' triumph over principalities and powers and that His power is available for deliverance and freedom. We are reminded that spiritual battles are real, but victory ultimately belongs to Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 9:25

    When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, [Thou] dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

  • Mark 9:26

    And [the spirit] cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

  • Mark 1:25

    And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

  • Acts 16:18

    And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
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