Victory over Demons (Mark 5:1–20)

When Jesus and the disciples landed on the other side, they encountered a demon possessed man. This entire scene seems very unreal to us who live in so-called “modern civilization,” but it would not be unreal on many mission fields. In fact, some Bible teachers believe that demon possession is becoming even more prevalent in today’s “modern society.” We see in this scene three different forces at work: Satan, society, and the Saviour. These same three forces are still at work in our world, trying to control the lives of people.

I. What Satan can do to people.

1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains,

A. Satan is a thief whose ultimate purpose is to destroy.

We are not told how the demons entered this man and took control, but possibly it was the result of their yielding to sin. Demons are “unclean spirits” and can easily get a foothold in the lives of people who cultivate sinful practices.

Because he yielded to Satan, the thief, this man lost everything! He lost his home and the fellowship of his family and friends. He lost his decency as he ran around in the tombs naked. He lost his self-control and lived like a wild animal, screaming, cutting himself, and frightening the citizens. He lost his peace and his purpose for living, and he would have remained in that plight had Jesus not come through a storm to rescue him.

B. Never underestimate the destructive power of Satan.

He is our enemy and would destroy all of us if he could. Like a roaring lion, he seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8–9). It is Satan who is at work in the lives of unbelievers, making them “children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:1–3).

The man in the Gerasene graveyard was no doubt extreme example of what Satan can do to a person, but what he reveals is enough to make us want to resist Satan and have nothing to do with him.

II. A force at work on this man was society

4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

A. Society was not able to accomplish very much.

About all that society can do for problem people is to isolate them, put them under guard and, if necessary, bind them (Luke 8:29). Often this man had been chained, but the demons had given him strength to break the chains.

Even the attempts to tame this man had failed. With all of its wonderful scientific achievements, society still cannot cope with the problems caused by Satan and sin. While we thank God that society does offer a limited amount of restraint and protection, we must confess that society cannot permanently solve these problems and deliver Satan’s terrorized victims.

B. Mark painted a picture of a man in a pitiful state.

He could not live with his family, so he lived alone (or with another demon-possessed person, according to Matthew) in a graveyard. He was strong enough to break the chains that bound him, but not strong enough to expel the demons from his body.

His shrieking was heard throughout the countryside. He was even violent toward himself and cut himself with stones. He was naked and most likely covered with scars. Even after the Fall, the image of God resided in humans. Demons, in this case and others, did what they could to destroy the image of God.

III. The force of the Saviour.

6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?”And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. 14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

A. What did Jesus Christ do for this man?

He graciously came to him in love, and even went through a storm to do it. Some think that the storm itself may have been satanic in origin. Perhaps Satan was trying to destroy Jesus, or at least prevent Him from coming to this man who needed Him. But nothing could stop the Lord from coming to that graveyard and bringing deliverance to this man.

Jesus spoke to the man and permitted him to speak to Him. The citizens of that area avoided the demon possessed man but Jesus treated him with love and respect. He came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). It is interesting to note that, as the demons spoke through the man, they confessed what they really believed. Demons have faith and even tremble because of what they believe (James 2:19); but neither their faith nor their fear can save them. Demons believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He has authority over them. They believe in the reality of judgment and that one day they will be cast into hell (see Matt. 8:29). This is more than many religious people believe today!

B. Satan tried to destroy this man, but Jesus came to deliver him.

By the power of His Word, He cast out the demons and set the man free. Demons even believe in prayer, for they begged Jesus not to send them into the abyss, the place of torment (Mark 5:7; Luke 8:31). It is encouraging to note that the demons did not know what Jesus planned to do.

It is encouraging to note that the demons did not know what Jesus planned to do. This suggests that Satan can know God’s plans only if God reveals them. In fact, there is no evidence in Scripture that Satan can read the mind of a believer, let alone the mind of God.

C. Did Jesus have the right to destroy 2,000 pigs and possibly put their owners out of business?

Certainly, Jesus was free to send the demons wherever He desired—into the abyss, into the swine, or to any other place that He chose. Then why send them into the swine? For one thing, by doing it that way, Jesus gave proof to all the spectators that a miracle of deliverance had really taken place.

The destruction of the pigs also gave assurance to this man that the unclean spirits were actually gone. But more than anything else, the drowning of the 2,000 swine was a vivid object lesson to this Christ-rejecting crowd that, to Satan, a pig is as good as a man! In fact, Satan will make a man into a pig! The Lord was warning the citizens against the powers of sin and Satan. It was a dramatic sermon before their very eyes: “The wages of sin is death!”

D. Why would the owners of the pigs ask Jesus to leave?

When the owners arrived at the scene, they were afraid as they saw the dramatic changes that had taken place in this man. Instead of running around naked, this man was clothed, seated, and in his right mind. He was a new creature!

Why not ask Jesus to stay and perform similar cures for others who were also in need? The owners had one main interest—business—and they were afraid that if Jesus remained any longer, He would do even more “damage” to the local economy! Our Lord does not stay where He is not wanted, so He left. What an opportunity these people missed!

E. Why did Jesus not permit the healed man to follow Him?

The man’s request was certainly motivated by love for the Lord Jesus, and what a testimony he had! But Jesus knew that the man’s place was in his own home, with his loved ones, where he could bear witness to the Saviour.

Effective Christian living must begin at home where people know us the best. If we honor God there, then we can consider offering ourselves for service elsewhere. This man became one of the earliest missionaries to the Gentiles. Jesus had to leave, but the man remained and bore faithful witness to the grace and power of Jesus Christ. We trust that many of those Gentiles believed on the Saviour through his witness.