Mark 5:9

KJV

And he asked him, What [is] thy name? And he answered, saying, My name [is] Legion: for we are many.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he asked {G1905} him {G846}, What {G5101} is thy {G4671} name {G3686}? And {G2532} he answered {G611}, saying {G3004}, My {G3427} name {G3686} is Legion {G3003}: for {G3754} we are {G2070} many {G4183}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua asked him, "What's your name?" "My name is Legion," he answered, "there are so many of us";

Berean Standard Bible

“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”

American Standard Version

And he asked him, What is thy name? And he saith unto him, My name is Legion; for we are many.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:9 captures a pivotal exchange between Jesus and a man possessed by a multitude of demons in the Gerasene region. In this dramatic confrontation, Jesus directly challenges the unclean spirit, demanding its identity. The chilling response, "My name is Legion: for we are many," reveals the overwhelming and organized nature of the demonic oppression, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of Christ's unparalleled authority over the forces of darkness and His compassionate power to liberate.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the powerful narrative of the Gerasene demoniac found in [Mark 5:1-20](/mark/5-1-20 "Mark 5:1-20 - The Gerasene Demoniac"). Immediately preceding this encounter, Jesus and His disciples have just crossed the Sea of Galilee, enduring a fierce storm that Jesus miraculously calmed ([Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35-41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). This serves as a literary prelude, establishing Jesus' authority over nature, which then extends to His authority over the supernatural realm. Upon arrival, Jesus is immediately confronted by a man possessed by unclean spirits, living among the tombs, a place associated with impurity and death. The demons, speaking through the man, instantly recognize Jesus' divine identity, crying out, "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God?" ([Mark 5:7](/mark/5-7 "Mark 5:7 - The Demons Recognize Jesus")). Jesus' question in [Mark 5:9](/mark/5-9 "Mark 5:9 - Jesus Asks the Demon's Name") is a direct engagement, not out of ignorance, but to expose the depth and nature of the spiritual bondage before His decisive act of deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this event is the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, depending on the Gospel account), a predominantly Gentile area on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. This location is significant because it highlights Jesus' ministry extending beyond Jewish territories, demonstrating His universal mission. Living among tombs was considered ritually unclean in Jewish culture, emphasizing the man's complete alienation and defilement. The term "Legion" (Greek: _legiōn_) is a Latin loanword, directly referencing a Roman military unit, typically comprising 3,000 to 6,000 soldiers. In the 1st century AD, Roman legions were a pervasive and formidable symbol of imperial power and occupation throughout the Roman Empire, including Judea. For the demons to identify themselves as "Legion" would have immediately conveyed to the original audience a sense of overwhelming, organized, and oppressive force, much like the Roman military presence itself, making the subsequent expulsion by Jesus all the more impactful.

* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Christ's Absolute Authority Over Evil**, vividly illustrating Jesus' supreme power not just over physical ailments and natural forces, but over the most entrenched spiritual darkness. His direct confrontation and command over the demonic realm underscore His divine sovereignty, a theme consistently highlighted throughout Mark's Gospel, such as when He casts out an unclean spirit in the synagogue in [Mark 1:21-28](/mark/1-21-28 "Mark 1:21-28 - Jesus Teaches and Casts Out an Unclean Spirit"). Secondly, the encounter reveals **The Nature of Demonic Influence**, showing that spiritual oppression can be multifaceted and overwhelming, aiming to utterly destroy and control its victim. The demons' self-identification as "Legion" emphasizes their vast number and organized malevolence. Finally, the narrative underscores the reality of **Spiritual Warfare**, a battle that transcends the visible world. Jesus' ministry consistently involved confronting and defeating the powers of darkness, highlighting the ongoing spiritual conflict that believers face, as described in passages like [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - The Nature of Spiritual Warfare").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **name (Greek, _ónoma'_):** From a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (ginōskō, "to know"); a "name" (literally or figuratively) signifying authority or character. In this context, Jesus' question about the demon's name is not merely for identification but to assert authority over the entity by demanding it reveal its nature and identity, a common practice in ancient exorcism, but here uniquely demonstrating Jesus' inherent power.
* **Legion (Greek, _legeṓn'_):** Of Latin origin; a "legion," referring to a Roman regiment, used figuratively here. This term signifies a vast, organized, and formidable multitude. The demons' choice of this word communicates not just their great number ("for we are many") but also their collective, disciplined, and overwhelming power, akin to a military force that has taken complete control.
* **many (Greek, _polýs'_):** Including forms from the alternate; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many. Here, it explicitly confirms the numerical significance of "Legion," reinforcing that the man was not afflicted by a single demon but by a vast, perhaps countless, number of evil spirits, demonstrating the severity of his spiritual bondage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he asked him, "What [is] thy name?"":** Jesus initiates the direct confrontation, not out of ignorance of the spiritual realm, but to expose the identity and extent of the demonic oppression. This question serves to bring the hidden forces of darkness into the light, establishing Jesus' authority by demanding a revelation from the unclean spirit. It is a prelude to His exercise of power.
* **"And he answered, saying, "My name [is] Legion"":** The possessed man, speaking through the demonic entity, responds directly to Jesus' authoritative question. The declaration "Legion" is a chilling self-identification, immediately conveying the overwhelming number and organized nature of the spirits inhabiting him. This is not a single demon, but a collective, formidable force.
* **"for we are many.":** This clause provides the immediate explanation and confirmation for the name "Legion." It explicitly states the numerical reality behind the military term, emphasizing that the man's affliction was due to a vast multitude of demons, highlighting the severity of his spiritual bondage and the formidable nature of the spiritual battle Jesus was engaging.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is present in the demons' forced confession of their name and number; though they are powerful, they are utterly subject to Jesus' authority. Their declaration of "Legion" is a form of **Hyperbole**, using a military term to convey an immense, overwhelming number, though it also functions as a chillingly accurate description of their collective identity. The use of "Legion" itself is a potent **Symbolism**, representing not just a large quantity but also organized, oppressive power, drawing a parallel to the Roman military occupation of the land. This choice of word also creates a vivid **Imagery** of an army of evil spirits, emphasizing the intense spiritual warfare at play.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:9 profoundly underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and Christ's absolute supremacy within it. The demons' immediate recognition of Jesus as the "Son of the Most High God" ([Mark 5:7](/mark/5-7 "Mark 5:7 - The Demons' Recognition of Jesus")) and their subsequent forced self-identification as "Legion" reveal that even the most formidable and numerous forces of darkness are subject to Christ's divine authority. This encounter is a powerful testament to Jesus' mission to dismantle the works of the devil and liberate humanity from spiritual bondage, demonstrating that no evil is too great for His power to overcome. It foreshadows Christ's ultimate triumph over all spiritual principalities and powers through His death and resurrection.

* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")
* [1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Purpose of Christ's Coming")
* [Luke 10:17-20](/luke/10-17-20 "Luke 10:17-20 - Disciples' Authority Over Demons")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The encounter in Mark 5:9 offers profound assurances and challenges for believers today. Firstly, it provides an undeniable demonstration that Jesus Christ possesses ultimate and unquestionable authority over every spiritual force, no matter how overwhelming or numerous. This truth should instill profound confidence and peace in the face of any spiritual opposition, reminding us that "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" ([1 John 4:4](/1_john/4-4 "1 John 4:4 - Greater is He That Is In You")). Secondly, while overt demon possession may not be as commonly recognized in modern contexts, this account still speaks to the reality of spiritual oppression in various forms—be it addiction, despair, or destructive patterns—and the enduring need for Christ's deliverance. It encourages us to rely on His name and authority when facing spiritual battles, knowing that He has already triumphed over the powers of darkness and disarmed them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Victory Over Spiritual Powers")). Finally, Jesus' compassion, even in the face of such intense evil, highlights His ultimate goal: the liberation and restoration of individuals. This calls us to extend similar compassion to those bound by any form of spiritual darkness, pointing them to the liberating power of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the revelation of "Legion" as the demon's name deepen your understanding of the nature of spiritual opposition?**
* **In what areas of your life do you sense a need for Christ's liberating authority, even if not overt demonic possession?**
* **How does Jesus' direct engagement with the demon challenge or affirm your understanding of spiritual warfare?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus ask the demon its name? Was He unaware?**

Answer: Jesus' question, "What is thy name?", was not asked out of ignorance. As the Son of God, Jesus possessed full knowledge and divine insight. Instead, His question served several crucial purposes. Firstly, in ancient Near Eastern thought, knowing a spirit's name often implied having authority over it. By demanding the name, Jesus was asserting His supreme authority and demonstrating His power over the demonic realm. Secondly, the answer "Legion" publicly exposed the immense and organized nature of the spiritual oppression the man was enduring, highlighting the severity of the bondage and magnifying the power of Christ's subsequent deliverance. It was a dramatic revelation for the onlookers, underscoring that this was no ordinary affliction but a formidable, collective evil that only divine power could overcome.

**What is the significance of the name "Legion"?**

Answer: The name "Legion" (Greek: _legeṓn_) is a Latin loanword referring to a major unit of the Roman army, typically comprising several thousand soldiers (e.g., 3,000 to 6,000 infantry and cavalry). Its significance is multifaceted:
1. **Numerical Force:** It immediately communicates that the man was possessed not by one or a few demons, but by a vast multitude. The subsequent phrase "for we are many" confirms this numerical aspect.
2. **Organized Power:** A Roman legion was a highly disciplined, formidable, and oppressive military force. By choosing this name, the demons implied their organized, collective, and overwhelming power, suggesting a strategic and destructive presence. This would have resonated deeply with a people living under Roman occupation, symbolizing a powerful, invasive force.
3. **Severity of Oppression:** The name underscores the extreme and overwhelming nature of the man's spiritual bondage, explaining why no human efforts could control him ([Mark 5:3-4](/mark/5-3-4 "Mark 5:3-4 - The Man's Uncontrollable State")). It sets the stage for a truly miraculous and divine intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:9, with its chilling revelation of "Legion," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ over all the forces of darkness. The encounter is not merely an isolated miracle but a microcosm of Jesus' entire redemptive mission. The "Legion" of demons, representing the collective power of sin, death, and spiritual oppression, stands in stark contrast to the singular, sovereign authority of Jesus. Just as Jesus commanded the "Legion" to depart, ultimately sending them into the pigs ([Mark 5:13](/mark/5-13 "Mark 5:13 - The Demons Enter the Pigs")), so too did He decisively defeat the spiritual powers that held humanity captive. His death on the cross was not a defeat but the ultimate victory, where He "disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). The resurrection further sealed this victory, demonstrating His authority over death and the grave, which are the ultimate consequences of sin and the devil's work ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Defeat of Death")). Thus, the liberation of the Gerasene demoniac by the authoritative word of Jesus points forward to the full and final liberation from sin and evil that Christ accomplished for all who believe, offering true freedom and restoration in His name ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")).

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

Luke 8:30

And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

Mark 5:15

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Matthew 26:53

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Luke 11:21

When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

Luke 11:26

Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first.

Matthew 12:45

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.