Mark 5:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:8 encapsulates Jesus' direct and authoritative confrontation with a powerful demonic entity, serving as a pivotal moment in the dramatic account of the Gerasene demoniac. This verse records Jesus' explicit command for the unclean spirit to exit the tormented man, immediately preceding the profound deliverance that restores the individual to sanity and freedom, thereby powerfully demonstrating Christ's supreme dominion over all spiritual forces.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in the compelling narrative of Jesus' encounter with the Gerasene demoniac, which spans [Mark 5:1-20](/mark/5-1-20 "Mark 5:1-20 - The Gerasene Demoniac"). Immediately prior to this command, Jesus and His disciples have just crossed the Sea of Galilee, arriving in a Gentile region. They are met by a man possessed by a multitude of demons, who lives among the tombs and exhibits superhuman strength and profound torment. The demons, recognizing Jesus' divine identity, immediately cry out to Him, acknowledging His power and pleading not to be tormented. Jesus' command in [Mark 5:8](/mark/5-8 "Mark 5:8 - Jesus' Command to the Unclean Spirit") is His direct response to their initial recognition and a prelude to the dramatic expulsion of the legion of spirits into a herd of pigs, culminating in the man's complete restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting, the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes in parallel accounts), was a predominantly Gentile area, distinct from the Jewish Galilee. This highlights Jesus' ministry extending beyond Jewish boundaries, demonstrating His universal authority. The belief in demonic possession was widespread in the ancient world, and the symptoms described (living among tombs, self-mutilation, uncontrollable strength) were commonly associated with such afflictions. Jewish exorcism practices often involved lengthy rituals and incantations, but Jesus' method, as seen here, is marked by simple, direct, and immediate commands, showcasing a unique and inherent authority that surpassed that of any contemporary exorcist. The presence of pigs, unclean animals to Jews, further underscores the Gentile context and the profound spiritual defilement associated with the demons.
* **Key Themes:** The account of the Gerasene demoniac, and [Mark 5:8](/mark/5-8 "Mark 5:8 - Jesus' Command to the Unclean Spirit") in particular, powerfully reinforces several central themes in Mark's Gospel. Foremost is **Jesus' Supreme Authority** over all creation, especially over evil spiritual forces. His word alone is sufficient to command demons, a theme previously established in [Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits"). Secondly, the narrative underscores the **Reality and Destructive Power of Spiritual Evil**, depicting demons not as mere psychological states but as malevolent entities that inflict profound suffering and alienation. Finally, the passage highlights **Jesus' Liberating Power and Compassion**, as His intervention brings about radical deliverance and restoration, transforming a tormented outcast into a sane individual, eager to follow Him, as seen in [Mark 5:15](/mark/5-15 "Mark 5:15 - The Restored Man").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _légō_):** This verb, G3004, implies a systematic or set discourse, distinguishing it from a mere utterance. Here, it conveys Jesus' deliberate and authoritative declaration, not a casual remark or a question. It underscores that His words carry inherent power and intention, directly addressing and commanding the evil entity.
* **Come out (Greek, _exérchomai_):** G1831, meaning "to issue forth" or "to go out," is a powerful imperative. This is a direct command, not a suggestion or a request. Its forcefulness highlights Jesus' absolute authority over the spirit world, compelling the demon to obey without resistance, despite its initial pleas and recognition.
* **unclean (Greek, _akáthartos_):** G169, derived from a negative particle and a word meaning "cleansed," signifies impurity. This term is used frequently in the Gospels to describe demons, emphasizing their defiling nature. They are spiritually, morally, and ritually impure, standing in stark opposition to God's holiness. Jesus' identification of the spirit as "unclean" immediately highlights the spiritual defilement it brings and the purity of His own power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he said unto him,"**: This introductory clause establishes Jesus as the speaker and the demon-possessed man (or the spirit within him, as the context implies) as the recipient of the command. The "For" (G1063, _gár_) indicates that this command is the reason or explanation for the demons' earlier outcry and recognition of Jesus' authority (as seen in [Mark 5:7](/mark/5-7 "Mark 5:7 - The Demoniac's Cry to Jesus")). Jesus' word is the active agent in this spiritual confrontation.
* **"Come out of the man,"**: This is the direct, imperative command from Jesus. "Come out" (G1831, _exérchomai_) is a forceful order for the spirit to depart. The phrase "out of the man" (G1537, _ek_ + G444, _ánthrōpos_) specifies the object of deliverance—the human being who is being tormented. This highlights Jesus' focus on the liberation and restoration of the individual, emphasizing His compassion for the afflicted.
* **"[thou] unclean spirit."**: This is Jesus' direct address to the entity. He identifies it precisely as an "unclean spirit" (G169, _akáthartos_ + G4151, _pneûma_). This identification is crucial; it names the enemy and underscores its defiling nature. By naming it, Jesus asserts His knowledge of and authority over the spiritual realm, demonstrating that He knows exactly what He is commanding.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 5:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, as Jesus' words are a direct command ("Come out!"), underscoring His absolute and inherent authority over the demonic realm. This is further emphasized by **Direct Address**, where Jesus speaks directly to the "unclean spirit," demonstrating a personal confrontation with evil. There is also a powerful **Contrast** between the defiling nature of the "unclean spirit" and the pure, holy authority of Jesus, highlighting the stark opposition between light and darkness. The brevity and directness of the command contribute to the **Dramatic Intensity** of the scene, emphasizing the immediate and undeniable effect of Jesus' word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:8 is a profound theological statement on the nature of Christ's authority and the reality of spiritual warfare. It reveals Jesus not merely as a healer, but as the sovereign Lord who possesses inherent dominion over all creation, including the most malevolent spiritual forces. This immediate and powerful command to an "unclean spirit" demonstrates that Jesus' authority is not derived or granted, but intrinsic to His divine person. It underscores the biblical truth that evil is a tangible, personal force, and that humanity's greatest need is liberation from its oppressive power. The verse thus serves as a foundational declaration of Christ's ultimate victory over the powers of darkness, offering hope and assurance to all who are oppressed or fear spiritual evil.

* [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")
* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")
* [Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:8 offers a powerful lens through which to view the nature of spiritual reality and the unmatched power of Jesus Christ. For believers today, this verse serves as a profound source of comfort and empowerment. It reminds us that no spiritual stronghold, no oppressive force, and no form of bondage is beyond the authority of Jesus. When we face spiritual struggles, whether personal temptations, destructive patterns, or the broader forces of evil at work in the world, this passage calls us to remember that Christ has already triumphed. Our role is to stand firm in His victory, to trust in His liberating power, and to recognize that His word, spoken centuries ago, still carries the same potent authority over every "unclean spirit" that seeks to defile or destroy. It encourages us to pray with confidence, knowing that the One who commanded the demons in Gerasene is the same One who intercedes for us and empowers us to live in freedom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' direct command to the "unclean spirit" challenge or confirm your understanding of spiritual warfare today?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to experience Jesus' liberating power, and how does this verse encourage you to seek it?**
* **What does Jesus' immediate and effortless authority over the demon teach us about His identity and power?**

### FAQ
**What does "unclean spirit" mean in this context?**

Answer: In the biblical context, an "unclean spirit" refers to a demonic entity, a malevolent spiritual being that is opposed to God and seeks to defile, torment, and oppress human beings. The term "unclean" (Greek: _akáthartos_) signifies not just physical dirtiness but a state of ritual, moral, and spiritual impurity. These spirits are inherently defiling, contrasting sharply with God's holiness. Jesus' frequent encounters with and authoritative expulsion of "unclean spirits" throughout the Gospels, such as in [Mark 1:23-27](/mark/1-23-27 "Mark 1:23-27 - Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit"), highlight His divine power and His mission to cleanse and restore humanity from all forms of spiritual bondage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:8, with Jesus' authoritative command to the "unclean spirit," serves as a powerful foreshadowing and demonstration of Christ's ultimate victory over the forces of evil, culminating in His redemptive work on the cross and resurrection. This moment in Gerasene is not merely an isolated act of exorcism but a tangible display of the authority that belongs to the Son of God, who came to destroy the works of the devil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Came to Destroy the Devil's Work")). The "unclean spirit" represents the dominion of sin and death that held humanity captive, a dominion that Jesus would definitively break. His command, "Come out," prefigures the decisive triumph over principalities and powers, where He disarmed them and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Ultimately, the authority displayed in [Mark 5:8](/mark/5-8 "Mark 5:8 - Jesus' Command to the Unclean Spirit") points to Jesus as the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), 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")), and the one before whom every knee will one day bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Will Bow to Jesus")).

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

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.