Bible Study - Jesus and a legion of demons (Mark 5:1-20)

5 Jesus and his followers went across the lake to the area where the Gerasene people lived. ² When Jesus got out of the boat, a man came to him from the caves where the dead are buried. This man had an evil spirit living inside him. ³ He lived in the burial caves. No one could keep him tied up, even with chains. ⁴ Many times people had put chains on his hands and feet, but he broke the chains. No one was strong enough to control him. ⁵ Day and night he stayed around the burial caves and on the hills. He would scream and cut himself with rocks.

⁶ While Jesus was still far away, the man saw him. He ran to Jesus and bowed down before him. ^7-8 As Jesus was saying, “You evil spirit, come out of this man,” the man shouted loudly, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you in God’s name not to punish me!”

⁹ Then Jesus asked the man, “What is your name?”

The man answered, “My name is Legion, because there are many spirits inside me.” ¹⁰ The spirits inside the man begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of that area.

¹¹ A large herd of pigs was eating on a hill near there. ¹² The evil spirits begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs. Let us go into them.” ¹³ So Jesus allowed them to do this. The evil spirits left the man and went into the pigs. Then the herd of pigs ran down the hill and into the lake. They were all drowned. There were about 2000 pigs in that herd.

¹⁴ The men who had the work of caring for the pigs ran away. They ran to the town and to the farms and told everyone what happened. The people went out to see. ¹⁵ They came to Jesus, and they saw the man who had the many evil spirits. He was sitting down and was wearing clothes. He was in his right mind again. When they saw this, they were afraid. ¹⁶ Those who had seen what Jesus did told the others what happened to the man who had the demons living in him. And they also told about the pigs. ¹⁷ Then the people began to beg Jesus to leave their area.

¹⁸ Jesus was preparing to leave in the boat. The man who was now free from the demons begged to go with him. ¹⁹ But Jesus did not allow the man to go. He said, “Go home to your family and friends. Tell them about all that the Lord did for you. Tell them how the Lord was good to you.”

²⁰ So the man left and told the people in the Ten Towns about the great things Jesus did for him. Everyone was amazed.

 

This story would have been especially difficult for Jewish readers. It’s full of unclean things. It takes place in Gentile territory, with a man with evil spirits, he lives in a graveyard and harms himself (death, blood, etc.). Jesus deliberately took the journey just to save the worst person in the worst place.

1.       In your own words, describe the life of this demon-possessed man. What does this tell us about the power of evil spirits?

2.       Pay attention to the detailed dialogue between Jesus and Legion. What can we learn about the identity and authority of Jesus? Have you learned anything new about Jesus?

3.       The demons begged Jesus to allow them to go to the pigs. Why do you think Jesus agreed to send them to the pigs?

4.       The man then asked to go with Jesus. But Jesus did not allow the man to go (verse 18). Why do you think Jesus rejected his request? Has God also called you in the same way? (verse 19). Can you share some of the things the Lord has done for you?