Bible Commentaries
Mark 5

Verse 1

THE MANIAC OF GADARA, V. 1-20

1) "And they came over unto the other side of the sea,’’ (kai elthon eis to peran tes thalasses) "And they came to the other (opposite) side of the sea," from Capernaum, as also recounted Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 8:26-37.

2) "Into the country of the Gadarenes.’’ (eis ten choran ton Gergasenon) "Into the country of the Gergasenes,’’ also known as the Gadarenes, located on the southeast side of the Sea of Galilee, now known as the southern ridge of the Golan Heights.

Verse 2

1) "And when He was come out of the ship," (kai ekselthontas autou ek tou ploiou) "And as He came out of, and away from, the ship," or boat, or while He was leaving the boat.

2) "Immediately there met Him out of the tombs,’’ (euthus hupentesen auto ek ton mnemeion) "Immediately there met or confronted Him out of the tombs," from among the tombs nearby, from the cemetery of Gadara, or from the tombs cut in rocky hill­sides, where some families yet live today.

3) "A man with an unclean spirit," (anthropos en pneumati akatharto) "A man in (domination of) an unclean spirit," or in bondage to a demon spirit, causing the man to be emotionally and mentally imbalanced in body, mind, and judgment. Jesus had confronted unclean and evil spirits before and cast them out, Mark 1:23-27; Mark 1:39.

Verse 3

1) "Who had his dwelling among the tombs” (hos ten katoikesin eichen en tois mnemasin) "Who held, had, or possessed a dwelling among the tombs,’’ among the sepulchers, as an outcast, where the lepers and those with contagious and incurable mental problems were held under quarantine restrictions, from going back into the city or populated areas of the country, lest they be stoned or put to death, Isaiah 65:4.

2) "And no man could bind him," (kai oudeis eclunato auton deoai) "And no person was able to bind or restrain him with a chain," when seizures of emotional insanity took sudden hold on him, as an incurable maniac.

3) "No, not with chains:" (oude halusei ouketi) "No, not any longer was able, even with a chain;" for the chains would be broken by him in these times of terrible seizure. To pass through this area was almost impossible for travelers, Matthew 8:28; Mark reports the night and day screaming of the maniac, and Luke 8:27 indicates that this maniac was naked, unclothed.

Verse 4

1) "Because that he had been often bound," (dia to auton pollakis) "Because it had happened often, or repeatedly," for a long time, he had been repeatedly bound or chained to detain him out there in the country­side, among the tombs, as an habit of existence, in the heat and the cold, day and night.

2) "With fetters and chains," (peclais kai halusesin declesthai) "To have been bound with fetters and with chains,’’ fetters for his hands, and chains for his feet, to keep him in his quarantine zone, from disturbing public peace and scattering contagious diseases.

3) "And the chains had been plucked asunder by him," (kai diespasthai hip’ autou tas haluseis) "And the chains had been burst or broken apart by him," those designed to shackle his feet.

4) "And the fetters broken in pieces:”- (kai tas pedas suntetriphthai) "And the fetters, by friction, had been broken into pieces," those designed to keep his hands shackled. Man is by nature corrupt, sinful, alienated from God, restless, without peace, quarantined from entering heaven, except by intervention of Supernatural power through the new birth, Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:3; John 6; Revelation 21:27.

5) "Neither could any man tame him." (kai oudeis ischen auton damosai) "And no one was strong enough to subdue or control him," when he was under the spells of demon seizure. His demon possession was humanly untamable, by all efforts of men, by all physicians, as the case of Mark 4:25-34. To tame a demon, one must be stronger than the demon, Mark 3:27.

Verse 5

1) "And always, night and day," (kai dia pantos nuktos kai hermeras) "And always by night and day," as a fixed pattern of living and behavior, incessantly unsettled.

2) "He was in the mountains, and in the tombs," (en tois mnemasin kai en tois oresin hen) "He was in the mountains and among the tombs," Proverbs 21:16, running over the countryside as a wild man, a stark lunatic, without sleep or peace, Jeremiah 13:16.

3) "Crying, and cutting himself with stones." (krazon kai katakopton heauton lithois) "Continually crying aloud, and lacerating himself with stones," encounters with, running into, and failing upon and against jagged rocks, night and day, like the conscience of a wicked person, Isaiah 59:20-21.

Verse 6

1) "But when he saw Jesus afar off," (kai idon ton lesoun apo makrothen) "And beholding Jesus from a dis­tance away," from afar, Philippians 2:10. Many mentally deranged people have moments of reason and sanity and recognition of peoples and places, as this one did upon seeing Jesus, and as in; If demons know who Jesus is, should not those who are sinners, afar off from God, also recognize Him? Ephesians 2:12-13; Ephesians 4:18.

2) "He ran and worshipped Him," (edramen kai prosekunesen auton) "He ran (came running) like a dromedary, in an uncoordinated muscular imbalance manner, and worshipped (fell down before) Him," as all men and demons shall one day do, Romans 14:11-12; Did not the prodigal recognize his father and his father’s home, and fall down and confess his sins before him, and find forgiveness and restoration, and an inheritance back in his father’s house? That redemption and restoration awaits every sin bound, deranged, unbeliever who will recognize who Jesus is and receive Him he can be liberated, John 8:32; John 8:36; John 6:37.

Verse 7

1) ’’And cried with a loud voice, and said,’’ (kai kraksas phone megale legei) "And crying aloud with a megaphone-­like voice he says," by audible intelligible voice.

2) "What have I to do with thee, Jesus," (ti emoi kai soi lesou) "What are you to me, Jesus,’’ as the demons and devils knew who He was, to the extent that they tremble, so should wicked, unsaved men, as guilty before Him, Matthew 8:29; Acts 16:16-17; Acts 19:18.

3) ’’Thou Son of the most high God?" (huie tou theou tou hupisistou) "’You who are the Son of the most high (exalted) God?" Even demons know and acknowledge who Jesus is, though they have no redemption available to them, Judges 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4.

4) "I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not." (horkizo se ton theon me basanises) "I adjure or implore you, by that God, torment me not," or don’t torment me now; Psalms 2:4; Judges 1:6. As Satan goes about continuously seeking whom or what he may devour or destroy, so do his emissary demon spirits, see 1 Peter 5:8-9; Luke 8:31-33.

Verse 8

1) "For He said unto him," (elegen gar auto) ’’Because He, Jesus, was about to say to him,’’ that is Jesus was about to speak to the demon possessing the madman, the mentally and emotionally unstable wild man, which He did, Mark 5:13.

2) "Come out of the man,’’ (ekselthe ek tou anthropou) "You come out of and away from, the man," that he may be capable of choosing for himself matters of life.

3) "Thou unclean spirit." (to pneuma to akatharton) "You unclean (deranged and degraded) spirit," though the unclean spirit was yet in the man of Mark 5:2. Let it be observed that even demon spirits are ill at ease in the presence of Jesus - - how much more should sinners be? Romans 2:4-5.

Verse 9

1) ’’And He asked him, What is thy name?" (kai eperota auton ti onoma soi) "And He (Jesus) questioned him, what name do you have?" This was said to establish the man’s public identity, who had come from among the mountains and tombs.

2) "And he answered, saying, My name is Legion:" (kai legei auto legion onoma mou) "And he (the deranged spirit) says to Him (to Jesus), my name is Legions:- The term legion means an innumerable band. How many demons may possess one person is not known. Mary Magdalene had seven cast out of her, Mark 16:9; False prophets are habitats of demons, 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Matthew 7:22.

3) "For we are many." (hoti polloi esmen) ’’Because we are (exist as) many," many fallen, deranged, degraded spirits, as described 2 Peter 2:4; Judges 1:6. The legion band of demons were organized to destroy this man of Gadara and damn his soul in hell, Psalms 9:17.

Verse 10

1) "And he besought Him much," (kai parekalei auton polla) "And he besought Him much," the deranged spirit of the Gadarene man, associated with the legion of demon spirits, appealed to Jesus immediate future. He appealed for a little more mercy, until Matthew 25:41.

2) "That He would not send him away," (hina me auta aposteile) "in order that Jesus would not mandate or commission that he go away," be. banished, disembodied not, not permitted to occupy something in the universe in that Gadara area of Decapolis, that he could pollute or destroy. Demons thus acknowledge the supremacy of Jesus over them.

3) "Out of the country." (ekso tes choras) "Outside and away from the country of Gadara," perhaps haunted by fear that he might be sent on, and restricted to hell, before his time, 2 Peter 2:4; Judges 1:6.

Verse 11

1) "Now there was there nigh unto the mountains," (hen de ekei pros to orei) "Now there was out there near the mountain," on the mountainside, in Gadara, east of the Sea of Galilee, now known as the Golan Heights.

2) "A great herd of swine feeding." (agele chorion megale boskomene) "A great herd of pigs feeding,’’ a large herd of hogs that was selfishly feeding, rooting, and eating grass and roots, or whatever was available, as well as what they were given to eat by those who kept them, Mark 5:14. They were described as unclean animals, Leviticus 11:7-8; Deuteronomy 14:8. They were not to be eaten or touched by clean people.

Verse 12

1) "And all the devils besought Him, saying," (kai parekalesan auton legontes) "And they, the legion of deranged spirits, appealed to Him repeatedly saying," to Him, to Jesus, Lord over ail the earth and demons too, John 3:35; John 5:22; John 5:27; John 5:30; Acts 17:31.

2) "Send us into the swine," (pempson hemas eis tous choirous) "Just send us indiscriminately into or among the pigs," or permit us to enter into the herd of feeding swine. Even demon spirits have their rebellious positions of destruction under restrictions of the permissive will of God, for a temporary time, Judges 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Matthew 25:41.

3) "That we may enter into them." (hina eis autous eiselthomen) "In order that we may enter directly into them," to control their actions, the behavior of the pigs. 0 that all men might realize that they too exist under the gracious mercies and- permissive will of God, in whom they daily live, move, and have their being, their existence, La 3:22, 23; Acts 17:26-27.

Verse 13

1). "And forthwith Jesus gave them leave." (kai epetrepsen autois) ’’And Jesus allowed or permitted them," granted their petition or appeal. He never sends demons into anyone or place. How many demons ask God’s Permission to try to enter and control you and me daily? Satan did, concerning Job, Job 1:12-22.

2) "And the unclean spirits went out," (kai ekselthonta ta pneumata ta akatharta) "And the deranged and defiled spirits went out of the swine, of the man, of their own spirits went out of the man, of their own accord or will," and by the permission of Jesus.

3) "And entered into the swine:" (eiselthon eis tous choirous) "And entered according to their own deranged will, choice, or desire, into the herd of pigs," one of the enterprises or businesses of the people of the area, Mark 5:16-17.

4) "And the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea," (kai hormesen he agele kata tou kremnou eis ten thalassan) ’’And the herd rushed (stampeded wildly) down the precipice of the mountain, over the cliff, into the sea," Did these hogs choose to die rather than let demons live in and control their bodies? Ought not men to have more fear of demon influence in their lives?

5) "(They were about two thousand,)’’ (hos diochilioi) ’’To the number of about two thousand,’’ the entire mountainside herd. Swine and dogs are scavengers by nature, especially in Syria, the reason Moses in the law listed their) as unclean, Deuteronomy 14:8.

6) ’’And were choked in the sea.’’ Okai epnigonto en te thalasse) ’’And they were (came to be) choked or drowned in the sea.’’ Perhaps every Suicide is demon Incited The power of Jesus enters men to give life and give it more abundantly, while that of Satan and demon spirits is to kill and destroy,’’ even as a thief of men’s souls, John 10:10.

Verse 14

1) "And they that fed the swine fled,’’ (kai hoiboskontes autous ephugon) "And those who were feeding the herd of the pigs fled,’’ ran like wild for fear of the wild stam­pede actions of the pigs that had drowned themselves in the sea, Mark 5:13. It was this lowly kind of business in which the prodigal son engaged when he came near starvation, Luke 15:11-24.

2) ’’And told it in the city," (kai apengeilan eis ten polin kai eis tous agrous) "And reported (recounted) it in the city, and in the fields, in swine-herd huts, or in the countryside nearby," perhaps in panic, not too certain them­selves of what had occurred.

3) "And they went out to see what it was that was done. (kai elthon edem ti estin to gegonos) ’’And they of the city of Gadara, and the countryside, came of their own accord to observe (examine) or evaluate, to investigate the report of the thing that had occurred," relating to:

1 . First, the demon possessed man of their community, and

2. Second, their large herd of swine that had drowned in an "un-kosher" manner in the Sea of Galilee.

Verse 15

1) "And they come to Jesus," (kai erchontai pros ton lesoun) "And they come directly to Jesus;- The report of what had happened led them directly to Jesus, Lord or Master of the universe, and even demons, John 5:22.

2) "And see him that was possessed with the devil,’’ (kai theorousin ton dsimonenon) "And they observed the demon-possessed man,’’ as the first object of their attention.

3) "And had the legion," (ton eschekota ton legiona) ’’The one having once had the legion of deranged spirits," an innumerable number of demon consorts, who in dwelt his body and incited him to self-destruction, and to be a trouble and expense to society.

4) "Sitting, clothed, and in his right mind:" (kathemenon himatismenon kai sopronounta) "Sitting calmly, as a pupil at the feet of his Master, having been clothed, and being in his senses," 1 Corinthians 6:11; Colossians 1:13. Having emotional stability, or normal self-control. No longer did he grovel and rage and rattle chains and babble and scream bloody cries in a naked and lacerated body with open wounds and sores.

5) "And they were afraid." (kai ephobethesan) "And they were afraid," they who saw it were shocked, astounded at the power that had brought about the change in the man, Job 13:11; Psalms 14:5; 2 Timothy 1:7.

Sitting, (not pacing, unstable), clothed (not naked, indecently exposed), and in a right mind, (attitude, dispo­sition, or interest) should be three new marks of every person redeemed, delivered from the domain of demon spirits and unbelief, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 12:1-2.

GUILTY CONSCIENCE

Some few years ago in the state of Washington a horrible murder was committed. A hitch-hiker murdered a young man who had given him a ride. The body was found, but no trace of the murderer. Several years went by; and one evening in the state of Missouri a man was coming home from work, carrying his lunch box in his hand. At the door of his home a young wife awaited him. They had been married about two years, and a little boy had been given to them. But before reaching the door, a man stepped out of the shadows, placed his hand on his shoulder, and arrested him for the murder in Washington. He immediately dropped his lunch box, saying, "I’m glad it’s all over! I’ve lived in hell for three years." He then told how he had killed the young fellow and had carried the corpse by his side in the car for many miles, looking for a convenient place to hide it. But he said, "Every time I looked at that body, I saw those dead eyes staring at me. And for three years, night and day, they have been staring at me." If a sinner could go to heaven with a burdened conscience like that, even heaven would be hell to him. But, thank God, no one will ever be in heaven with a guilty conscience. God not only forgives the repentant sinner, but He cleanses "from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

- The Gospel Herald

DANGEROUS FAMILIARITY

A colored man had applied for a job as a teamster. "Are you familiar with mules?" asked the employer. "No, sah?" replied the applicant, "for Ah knows mules too well to get familiar wid ’em." There is great danger of our getting used to sinful practices because of their commonness. Let us insist on keeping a conscience which will not grow dull to have convictions and follow them.

-Alliance Full Gospel Quarterly

Verse 16

1) "And they that saw it," (kai hoi idontes) "And those who observed the incident," both when the demon possessed man approached Jesus and the things that happened in connection with the event.

2) "Told them how it befell to him," (diegesanto autois pos egeneto) "Related to them how it happened," told it like it was, as it appeared to them, what they saw and what heard, how the man was cured.

3) "That was possessed by the devil," (to diamonizomeno) "To the demon -possessed, deranged man,’’ who had cried out, acknowledged Jesus to be Son of the most high God, and begged permission (as a legion of demons), to leave the man and enter into the herd of swine, at which point the liberated man was cured, set free, John 8:32; John 8:26; became a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:21.

4) "And also concerning the swine." (kai peri ton choiron) "And about what happened to the pigs," the herd of swine, as they stampeded ferociously down the mountainside and into the sea till the last one drowned.

Verse 17

1) "And they began to pray Him," (kai erksanto parakalein auton) "And they (the people of the area of Gadara) began to appeal to Him, beseech, or beg Him," to leave, as Pharaoh begged Moses concerning Israel, Exodus 12:29-32.

2) "To depart out of their coasts." (apelthein apo ton horion auton) "To depart or leave their territory;" Job 21:14; Luke 5:8; Acts 16:39.

They let Him know that He was not wanted or welcome, disclosing their depraved greed, that they cared more for an herd of pigs than the temporal and eternal welfare of lost men, 1 Timothy 6:10.

Verse 18

1) "And when He was come into the ship," (embainontos autou eis to ploion) "And as He was going on board the ship," to leave where He was uncared for, unwelcome, and unwanted any longer, in the lower Golan Heights or Gadara area, leaving at their request, Acts 24:25.

2) "He that had been possessed with the devil," (ho daimonistheis) "The one who had been demon ­possessed, deranged in mind and spirit, cutting, lacerating, and mangling himself on sharp rocks of the mountain, among the tombs," going about, crying in the night-time as well as in the day, with shabby clothes, near naked with sores on his body.

3) "Prayed Him that he might be with Him." (parakalei hina met’ autou he) "Prayed, begged, or appealed to Him (to Jesus) that he might get on board the ship and just go along with Him," as a disciple, to be near Him, near his Redeemer, his new found Love and Master, Luke 8:38-39; Acts 9:5-6; Philippians 1:23.

Verse 19

1)"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not,’’ (kai ouk apheken auton) "And Jesus did not permit him to do so," because the people of Decapolis, and the area of Gadara in particular, needed him and his testimony, Psalms 107:2.

2) "But saith unto him, Go home to thy friends,’’ (alla legei auto) "But He said to him directly," (hupage eis ton oikon sou peos tous sous) "Go directly to your own household or family and to your own people,’’ in Gadara, to those who sent you away, and kept you, and fed you ,among the tombs.

3) ’’And tell them how great things,’’ (kai apangeilon autois hosa) "And report to them, relate to them, what mighty things," the changes that have come to be in you. Since they rejected the Lord, He sent them His messenger. He was not so well known here as in Galilee to the West.

4) "The Lord hath done for thee,’’ (ho kurios soi pepoieken) "That the Lord has done to, for, and in you,’’ John 1:11; Mark 1:44; Acts 26:19-20 (as Paul often did and as David did, Psalms 40:1-3. Our will is to be always subject to the will of God, Ephesians 5:17.

5) ’’And hath had compassion on thee.’’ (kai aleesin se) "And how He pitied or showed compassion on you,’’ in the hour of your worst need, when death and hell were fast coming upon you, as the Shepherd who went after the lost sheep till he found it and brought it home, John 15:4-7; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

IN WITNESSING:

If you can’t cross the ocean,

And the heathen land explore,

You can find the heathen nearer,

You can find them just next door,

Verse 20

1) "And he departed,’’ (kai apelthen) ’’And he then left Jesus of his own will and accord, to go obey His command,’’

2) ’’And began to publish in Dekapolis," (kat erksato kurssein en te Dekapolei) "And he began to herald, to preach in the entire Decapolis area,’’ in and beyond the city of Gadara, where Jesus was less known than in upper, western Galilee, John 1:40-42.

3) ’’How great things Jesus had done for him” (hosa epoiesen auto ho lesous) ’’What things Jesus had done toward him, clothing him, restoring him to sanity, saving him, then charging or commissioning him to tell his redemption story to them,’’ much as the experience of the former fallen Samaritan woman, John 4:16; John 4:28-30; John 4:40-42.

4) "And all men did marvel.’’ (kai pantes ethaumazon) ’’And all who heard him marvelled, were astonished, like Nicodemus and the Sanhedrin, that Jesus ’’was a man come from God, ’’ John 3:2; and he shall receive his reward in that rewarding day, Ps 126 5, 6; John 4:35-38; 1 Corinthians 3:8.

Verse 21

JARIUS PLEAS FOR HEALING OF HIS DAUGHTER, V. 21-24

1) "And when Jesus was passed over again," (kai diaperasantos tou lesou) "And when Jesus had crossed over,’’ by boat to the west side of the Sea of Galilee, from Gadara.

2) "By ship unto the other side,’’ (en to ploio palin eis to peran) "In the ship again to the other side," from Gadara, back to the west side, in the Tiberias or Capernaum area, in His own home area, Christ, despised and rejected by -one, becomes the Savior of another, Romans 2:4-7.

3) "Much people gathered unto Him:- (sunechthe ochlos polus ep’ auton) ’’A great assembly of common interest was assembled upon Him," gathered in an orderly manner to Him. For the people heard Him gladly, Luke 8:40.

4) "And He was nigh unto the sea." (kai hen para ten thalassan) "And He (Jesus) was alongside (by) the sea,’’ on the seashore, shortly after landing. Apparently runners had seen the boat approaching and hurriedly carried the news to the villages and countryside nearby.

Verse 22

1) "And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue," (kai erchetai eis ton archisunagogon) "And there approached Him one of the synagogue chiefs," of Capernaum, indicating that there may have been a plurality of chiefs, administrators, in the structure of synagogue educational and worship services, much as Crispus was chief in Corinth, Acts 18:8.

2) "Jarius by name;" (onomati lairos) "Known by the name of Jarius," which means "God enlightens." This is also recounted Matthew 9:18-19; Matthew 9:23-26; Luke 8:41-42; Luke 8:49-56.

3) "And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet," (kai idon auton piptei pros tous poclas autou) "And when he recog­nized Him (Jesus), he fell at His feet," prostrate, humbly, as a subject would fall before his King, or a slave before his master.

Verse 23

1) "And besought Him greatly, saying," (kai parakalei auton polla legon) "And begged, appealed to Him, repeatedly for help, saying,’’ in an almost incoherent manner.

2) "My little daughter lieth at the point of death:- (hoti to thugatrion mou eschatos echei) "That my daughter is at the point of death," at death’s door; He sought the help of Jesus, with all his heart, persistently, 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

3) "I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her," (hina elthon epithes tas cheiras aute) "Praying in order that Jesus might come and lay His hands on her;- He did not faint or quit, until the Lord responded, Luke 18:1.

4) "That she may be healed, and she shall live." (hina sothe kai zese) "In order that she might be healed and might live." Whether or not this synagogue chief was a righteous man, Jesus responded to his earnest prayer, James 5:16.

Verse 24

1) "And Jesus went with him”(kai apelthen metauton) ’’And Jesus went from the seashore with him," toward the home of the synagogue chief, where the desperately ill girl lay, Mark 5:35.

2) "And much people followed Him," (kai ekolouthei auto ochlos polus) "And a great crowd followed Him," a meandering, talkative crowd, no longer an orderly assembly, such as awaited Him at the seashore, Mark 5:21.

3) "And thronged Him." (kai sunethlibon auton) "And they pressed together upon Him," as in Mark 5:31, with common interest and curiosity, to hear a word He spoke, or to see a deed of compassion that He might show, as He drew nearer the home of the dead girl.

Verse 25

WOMAN WITH ISSUE OF BLOOD HEALED V. 25-34

1) "And a certain woman," (kai gune) "And a woman," a specific, certain, or definite woman, as also related, Matthew 9:20-22; Luke 8:43-48.

2) "Which had an issue of blood twelve years," (housa en hursei haimatos dodeka ete) "Who had a flow of blood (hemorrhage) for a period of twelve years," during which time she had been condemned as unclean under the law, Leviticus 15:25-33.

Verse 26

1) "And had suffered many things of many physicians," (kai polla pathousa hupo pollon iatron) "And who had suffered many things (painful treatments) under many physicians," in bodily pain, mental anguish, and financial pressures, Job 13:4; Jeremiah 30:12-13.

2) "And had spent all that she had," (kai dapanesasa ta par’ autes panta) "And having spent everything, all the means she had," having come to abject poverty from the expense incurred from physicians to try to cure her malady.

3) "And was nothing bettered,’’ (kai meden opheletheisa) ’’And was not helped at all, by any of the treatments," nothing had profited her, really done her any good, to remove the cause of the unclean incessant flow of blood from her body.

4) "But rather grew worse,’’ (alla mallon eis to cheiron elthousa) "But had become worse all the time," bringing her and her family disappointment after disappointment. As the physicians had apparently deserted her, much as the priest and the Levite, who passed by the other side of the wounded Samaritan, Luke 10:31-32.

Verse 27

1) "When she had heard of Jesus,’’ (akousasa ta peri tou lesou) "Having heard the things she had heard about Jesus," about His compassion and miracles, Mark 3:10; Matthew 9:35-36.

2) "Came in the press behind," (elthousa en to ochlo opisthen) "She came in the crowd behind," from behind Jesus, until she was close enough to touch Him. Like the four who brought the palsied or paralytic to Jesus, she had a persistent will and faith, John 7:17; Mark 2:1-12.

3) "And touched His garment." (hepsato tou himatou autou) "And touched His garment, from behind,’’ Matthew 14:35-36; Romans 4:5, though a touch of an unclean person like her was forbidden under the law, Leviticus 15:19-27.

Verse 28

1) "For she said,’’ (elegen gar) ’’For she said," to those near her, or said in her own heart, perhaps both. The garment of Jesus was considered a clean garment, on a clean man, as prescribed by the law, Numbers 15:37-40; Deuteronomy 22:12.

2) "If I may but touch His clothes," (hoti ean hapsomai

kan ton himaton autou) "if I may even touch His garments," the garments He wears. Like the returning prodigal, she believed there was help in Israel’s Redeemer, not in His garments, Luke 15:17-24.

3) "I shall be whole." (sothesomai) "I shall be healed,’’ of the bloody affliction of the past twelve years; She had faith in Jesus because of the testimony of others, Mark 5:29. Her faith in Jesus, based on the testimony of those by whom she heard, like the men formerly associates of the fallen Samaritan woman, brought her healing and salva­tion, Mark 5:27, John 4:16; John 4:28-31; John 4:40-42. And her faith was counted for righteousness, Mark 5:34; Romans 4:4-5.

Verse 29

1) "And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up” (kai euthus ekseranthe he pege tou haimatos autes) "And instantly the fountain of her blood flow was dried up,’’ or the cause of the hemorrhage was stopped. She was cured instantly, supernaturally and miraculously.

2) "And she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague." (kai egno to somati hoti iatai apo tes mastigosj "And she knew, or sensed in and throughout her body, that her plague was cured," at that moment. As salvation is an instant experience to the believer, so were the miracles of our Lord in healing, Acts 16:3.

Verse 30

1) "And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself," (kai euthus ho lesous epignous en heauto) ’’And Jesus immediately knowing in Himself," that He had been touched, His garments had been touched by an unclean person, for He "knoweth what is in man," 1 Samuel 16:7; Revelation 2:23; John 2:24-25; Jeremiah 17:10.

2) "That virtue had gone out of Him," (ten eks autou dunamin ekselthousan) "That dynamic power or energy had gone forth out of Him," Matthew 14:36; Acts 5:15. As men touched Him by faith again and again, and were healed, Luke 6:19; Luke 8:46.

3) "Turned Him about in the press, and said," (episteapheis en to ochlo elegen) "Turning in the crowd He said," openly, that it might be heard and witnessed by all about Him what had happened to the woman.

4) "Who touched my clothes?" (tis mou hepsato ton himation) "Who just touched my clothes?" from behind. He was not ignorant, but desired to secure an open confession from the worn’ an just healed, much as God questioned Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:9; Genesis 3:11.

Verse 31

1) "And His disciples said unto Him," (kai elegon autou hoi mathetai autou) "And His disciples replied to Him," as if irritated or aggravated by His question.

2) "Thou seest the multitude thronging thee," (blepeis ton ochlon sunthlibonta es) "You see in a glance that the crowd is pressing upon you," can’t you? As also described Mark 5:24. The compound (Gk. term throng) is stronger than the term "crowd" Mark 3:9.

3) "And sayest thou, Who touched my clothes?" (kai legeis tis mou hepsato) "And then you say, Who touched me?" as if they thought Jesus was "up-tight," in the pressure of the popularity of an excited, fatiguing rude throng.

Verse 32

1) "And He looked round about," (kai perieblepeto) "And He glanced, kept looking around about," on every side of Him, to catch the eye of the one who had received healing virtue in her unclean body, from Him who had a clean, holy body, who did no sin, nor was such found in His body.

2) "To see her that had done this thing." (idein ten touto poiesasan) "To see the reaction of the one (the woman) who had done this, touched His clothes," not to gain knowledge of her, but to elicit, draw out from her, a confession of what she had done and what had happened to her, Psalms 107:2; Acts 1:8; Matthew 5:15-16. Much of the good that Jesus has done, and does, will not be known till the day of coronation.

Verse 33

Comments

1) "But the woman fearing and trembling," (he de gune phobetheisa kai tremousa) "Then the woman fearing and trembling," with visible emotions, of fear and trembling in His presence, knowing she had drawn a blessing from Him; These two emotions are closely associated, 2 Corinthians 7:12; Ephesians 6:5; Philippians 2:12.

2) "Knowing what was done in her," (eiduia ho gegonen aute) "Knowing what had happened to her," that she had been instantly cured of the twelve year blood-flowing body plague, Mark 5:29. Not only did Jesus know that healing virtue had gone out of Him but also the woman knew she had been healed, Mark 5:30. Let it be observed that every sin-plagued soul knows when he is saved, as well as the Lord, 1 John 3:14; John 10:27-29.

3) "Came and fell down before Him," (elthen kai prosepesen auto) "Came of her own will and accord and fell down before Him," to confess what-had happened to her, to acknowledge the miraculous cure by which men might believe, that He was the Christ, John 20:30-31.

4) "And told Him all the truth." (kai eipen auto pasan ten aletheian) "And discovered or related to Him (Io Jesus) all the truth," so that Mark, overhearing the history of her medical problem, might relate it, as here recorded, Luke 6:19. She may have known some sin in her own life that brought on the physical and moral plague and here confessed it to Jesus, as she told Him "all the truth," though He knew it, as the Son of God, John 2:25; Galatians 6:7-8; Romans 10:9-10. Saved men need to confess, from what moral state, to what spiritual state, they have been saved, morally and spiritually, Luke 17:14-21. When the unclean, the condemned, is made clean, he should say so to the world, and to the redeemed, Psalms 107:2.

Verse 34

1) ’’And He said unto her, Daughter," (ho se eipen aute thugater) "Then He said to her, daughter,’’ an affectionate term of address to a woman perhaps His own age, an evidence to her of His compassion for her, Matthew 9:36.

2) "Thy faith hath made thee whole,’’ (he pistis sou sesoken de) "Your faith has healed you;- He spoke to her, not as a man to a woman, but as a caring father to a child. Her faith not only brought her to Jesus, and to touch His garments, but also brought her wholeness, health, and perhaps soul salvation before Jesus that day, Mark 10:52; Ga 2 16. Her faith was in Jesus, not the garment, Psalms 30:2; Ephesians 2:8-10.

3) "Go in peace," (hupage eiseirenen) ’’Goon your way in peace," in a state of tranquillity, no longer tormented by the former physical illness, but quieted with peace and assurance that Jesus gives, John 14:27; Romans 5:1.

4) ’’And be whole of thy plague.’’ (kai isthi hugies apo tes mastigos sou) ’’And be (exist) whole from (separated from) the plague of you," that was yours for the twelve long years, Mark 10:52. This is one of the miraculous sign evidences by which men knew that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, by and through which they might believe and be saved, John 12:20-31.

Verse 35

THE RAISING OF JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER FROM DEATH, V. 35-43

Comments;

1) ’’While He yet spake," (eti autou lalountos) "While He was still speaking," to the woman who had just been healed of her twelve year plague, Mark 5:25.

2) "There came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house," (erchontai apo tou archisunagogou) "There came from the chief of the synagogue’s house," from his home, where he had left his dying daughter,

3) "Certain which said,’’ (legontes hoti) "Certain ones repeatedly saying," with emotional concern and disturbance.

4) "Thy daughter is dead:- (he thugater sou apethanen) "Your daughter is dead," has already died, Luke 8:49. It seemed that all hope of help was now gone for Jairus’ daughter.

5) "Why troublest thou the Master any further?’’ (ti eti skulleis ton didaskalon) "Why do you still trouble the teacher or the Master?" Matthew 9:18; His was an appeal, a prayer of repeated importunity, as recounted, Christ’s greatest trouble is not that men trouble Him with too many troubles or trifles, but that they trifle by not troubling Him enough, 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 4:15-16.

Verse 36

1) "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken," (ho de lesous parakousas ton logon laloumenon) "Then Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken by them," not to Him directly.

2) "He saith unto the ruler of the synagogue,’’ (legei to archisunagogo) "He said directly to the synagogue chief," whose daughter had then died, Luke 7:50. Jesus spoke to the ruler, not to the doubting, questioning people.

3) "Be not afraid, only believe.’’ (me phobou monon pisteue) "Fear not, only believe," do not be in a state of fearful anxiety, only trust, even in the presence of death, Matthew 14:27; Romans 8:15; Mark 9:23.

FEAR NOT, ONLY BELIEVE

A poor widow was weeping in the room where lay the body of her husband. Their only child came in and said - -"Why do you weep so, mother?" The mother told him of their loss, and especially referred to their poverty. "The poor-house will receive us." Looking into her face, the little fellow said, "is God dead, Mother?"

Verse 37

1) "And He suffered no man to follow Him.’’ (kai ouk apheken oudena met’ autou sunakollouthesai) "And He did not permit a one with Him to accompany Him, to go in close association with Him," to the home of the synagogue chief.

2) "Save Peter, and James, and John, the brother of James." (ei me ton Petron kai lakohon kai loannen ton adelphon lakobou) "Except Peter, James, and John who was the brother of James," the inner circle of disciples and apostles of our Lord, perhaps in this instance restricted to these three, so as not to crowd the house where the dead girl lay. Two other times our Lord took these three disciples in special conference with Him:

a) at the transfiguration, Matthew 17:2.

b) In Gethsemane, Matthew 26:37.

Verse 38

1) "And He cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue," (kai erchontai eis ton oikon tou archisunagogou) "And they entered into the residence of the synagogue chief," Mark 5:35.

2) "And seeth the tumult," (kai theorei thorubon) "And He observed the uproar," the emotional clamor and tumult, as some comforted the mother, some made funeral arrangements, and professional mourners arrived to begin a vigil of mourning as a custom of the day.

3) "And them that wept and wailed greatly." (kai klaiontas kai alalagontas polla) "And those both weeping and crying aloud very much repeatedly," a gesture and custom of the Jews to show care for the deceased, John 11:19; John 11:31-34.

Verse 39

1) "And when He was come in, He saith unto them," (kai eiselthon legei autois) "And upon entering into the house He says to them," as soon as He had entered and observed the situation.

2) "Why make ye this ado, and weep?" (ti thorubeisthe kai kaiete) "Why are you all causing an uproar, and why do you even weep?" or cry aloud and howl without restraint?

3) "The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth." (to paidion luk apethanen alla katheudei) "The young child did not die, but she sleeps." is in a deep sleep, or perhaps a coma.

Verse 40

1) "And they laughed Him to scorn," (kai kategelon autou) "And they ridiculed or castigated Him," with cynical skepticism. This public ridicule only accents the power of Jesus in the moments that soon followed, Psalms 1:1-6.

2) "But when He had put them all out," (autos de ekalon pantas) "Then He putting them all out," those crying and howling, out of the room and area where the damsel or young child lay, as Peter later did, Acts 9:40-41; 1 Kings 17:19.

3) "He taketh the father and mother of the damsel," (paralambanei ton patera tou paidiou kai ten matera) "He took the father and mother of the child," the immediate family or parents. Those who mourned greatest should be the first to rejoice, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

4) "And them that were with Him," (kai tous met’autou) "And the ones with Him," Peter, James, and John, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be verified, John 8:17; Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6.

5) "And entereth in where the damsel was lying." (kai eiporeuetai hopou hen to paidion) "And went in where the child was," in the sick or death chamber.

Verse 41

1) "And He took the damsel by the hand,’’ (kai kratesas tes cheiros) ’’And taking hold of the hand of the child,’’ the young girl, as Peter did to the lame man, Acts 3:7-8.

2) "And said unto her, Talitha cumi,’’ (legei aute talitha kourn) "He says directly to her, Talitha koum.” This is the first instance in which Mark recounts Jesus’ speaking Aramaic.

3) ’’Which is being interpreted,’’ (ho estin methereneuomenon) "Which is (means when) interpreted.

4) ’’Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." (to korasion soi lego egeire) "Maid, or my child, I direct you to arise," or get up. Jesus was evidently bi-lingual, using the vernacular Aramaic on this traumatic occasion with the beautiful meaning "Rise, my child."

Verse 42

1) ’’And straightway the damsel arose, and walked” ­(kai euthus aneste to korasion kai periepatei) ’’And instantly the maid rose up and walked around,’’ out of her coma or sleep of death she obeyed the voice of the giver and sustainer of life, as Lazarus did, John 11:42-44.

2) "For she was of the age of twelve years." (en far eto dodeka) ’’Because she was twelve years of age.’’ Some have supposed that it may have been her mother who had the issue of blood for twelve years, and had been healed earlier that same day, when she touched the Master’s garment, Mark 5:29.

3) "And they were astonished with a great astonishment." (kai eksestesan euthus ekstasei megale) "And they were immediately or suddenly astonished, with a great astonishment," as also recounted Mark 1:27; John 12:17-19. The astonishment was

1) First, to her parents, Peter, James, and John in the room.

2) Second, to the mourners and friends about the door of the house,

3) Third, to the multitude without, before whom she also walked around, Revelation 1:18.

Verse 43

1) ’’And He charged them straitly," (kai diesteilato autois polla) "And He specifically charged them," as in Mark 3:12.

2) "That no man should know it” (hina medeis gnoi touto) "That no one should know this," what had occurred. That the girl had recovered could not be concealed, but that she was brought back from death could be. Our Lord never sought to advertise His raising the dead.

3) "And commanded that something,’’ (kai eipen) "And He also ordered that something,’’ She could not only live, breathe, and walk around, but also now eat again and needed food.

4) ’’Should be given her to eat.’’(dothenai aute phagem) "Should be given to her to eat,’’ to sustain her in her hunger and renew her physical strength, lest she faint, Mark 8:3; Matthew 15:32. This feeding was to demonstrate that the raising of the girl from the dead. was not lust an appearing as a phenomena, but a raising to the normalcy of life’s functions again.