Mark 5 1

Mark 5:1 kjv

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

Mark 5:1 nkjv

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.

Mark 5:1 niv

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.

Mark 5:1 esv

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.

Mark 5:1 nlt

So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 1 Meaning

Mark 5:1 details the immediate aftermath of Jesus calming the storm, stating that Jesus and His disciples arrived safely on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, landing in the Gentile region of the Gadarenes (or Gerasenes/Gergesenes, referring to the same general area). This verse sets the scene for one of Jesus' most significant and dramatic encounters, an exorcism involving a legion of demons in Gentile territory, immediately demonstrating His authority not only over nature but also over spiritual powers outside Jewish lands.

Mark 5 1 Context

Mark 5:1 follows immediately from Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus dramatically calms a furious storm on the Sea of Galilee, astonishing His disciples. This transition is critical: having demonstrated His divine authority over creation, Jesus and His disciples now cross into a predominantly Gentile territory, setting the stage for a demonstration of His even greater authority over the unseen spiritual realm, particularly malevolent demonic forces. This journey into Gentile land is significant as it highlights Jesus' universal mission, reaching beyond the Jewish populace into a region less familiar with His teachings but heavily afflicted by paganism and spiritual darkness. The historical context indicates the Decapolis region, to the east of the Jordan River and Sea of Galilee, was Hellenized, characterized by Greek cities, customs, and polytheistic worship, distinct from the Jewish culture of Galilee.

Mark 5 1 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple connective word, but in Greek narrative, it often indicates immediate sequence or continuity. It smoothly transitions from the previous scene (calming the storm) to the arrival, suggesting a swift and direct movement.
• they came (ἦλθον - ēlthon): From the verb ἔρχομαι (erchomai), meaning "to come, go." The aorist tense implies a simple, completed past action – they arrived decisively. It highlights the direct fulfillment of Jesus' command in Mark 4:35, "Let us go over to the other side."
• over unto (πέραν - peran): This adverb indicates a crossing "beyond" or "across" to the other side. It emphasizes the journey completed, suggesting movement from one distinct geographical and cultural area (Jewish Galilee) to another (Gentile Decapolis). It denotes arriving on the far side.
• the other side (τῆς θαλάσσης - tēs thalassēs): Literally, "of the sea." This refers to the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Lake of Gennesaret or Tiberias). The sea itself was seen by some as a place of chaos and a boundary, and crossing it often symbolized overcoming danger or moving into new, sometimes unknown, territory.
• into the country (εἰς τὴν χώραν - eis tēn chōran): "Into the region" or "land." This specifies the destination as a distinct territory, not just a random spot. It suggests a particular destination chosen by Jesus.
• of the Gadarenes (τῶν Γερασηνῶν - tōn Gerasēnōn): This is a critical geographical and cultural identifier. While Matthew refers to "Gadarenes" (Mt 8:28) and some ancient manuscripts of Mark use "Gergesenes" (Kursi, often identified as the actual site), Mark (along with Luke 8:26) predominantly uses "Gerasenes."
  • Gadara was a Decapolis city about six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee.
  • Gergesa/Kursi was a small village right on the eastern shore, a likely spot for the event due to the cliff and pigs.
  • Gerasa (modern Jerash in Jordan) was a much larger and more prominent Decapolis city about 30 miles southeast. Mark and Luke might use "Gerasenes" as a broader regional designation referring to the territory of the Decapolis, emphasizing the Gentile nature and renown of Gerasa as a major city. This discrepancy highlights the fluid nature of ancient geographical naming, where a large city's name could refer to a broader district.
  • Significance: This location is key because it is explicitly Gentile territory. Jews considered swine unclean (Lev 11:7-8), and their presence in such large numbers would be characteristic of a Gentile region. Jesus’ entry into this region signals the expansion of His mission beyond Israel, prefiguring the call to the Gentiles (Acts 10). It sets the stage for a dramatic encounter where pagan superstitions and strong demonic presence are evident, implying a polemic against local idolatry and demonic influence, demonstrating Jesus' unparalleled authority in a context ripe with spiritual darkness.

Mark 5 1 Bonus section

The "other side" (πέραν) could be interpreted not only geographically but also spiritually. It represents Jesus' deliberate move into enemy territory, challenging the dominion of spiritual darkness where paganism thrived. This immediate confrontation after calming the storm might highlight the disciples' learning journey: while they struggled to understand Jesus' authority over nature (Mk 4:41), they are now about to witness a demonstration of His authority over spiritual powers in their full might, potentially an even more terrifying encounter. The region, being Gentile, was viewed by some Jews as "unclean" and beyond God's primary focus, making Jesus' mission here even more radical and illustrative of God's broader redemptive plan. The sheer number of demons ("Legion" in subsequent verses) might also reflect the deep-seated idolatry and spiritual bondage prevalent in these pagan regions.

Mark 5 1 Commentary

Mark 5:1 marks a profound transition in Jesus' ministry. Immediately after demonstrating supreme authority over creation by calming a furious storm, Jesus brings His disciples into Gentile territory. The phrase "over unto the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes" is deeply significant. It signifies Jesus deliberately stepping beyond the familiar, predominantly Jewish, western shore of Galilee, into a region dominated by pagan beliefs and Roman influence, as indicated by the swine. This move showcases Jesus' mission's universal scope, revealing that His power and compassion were not confined by ethnic or religious boundaries. The sudden shift from mastery over nature's chaos to an imminent confrontation with demonic chaos emphasizes the comprehensiveness of Jesus' divine authority – over the natural world, and more crucially, over the spiritual forces of darkness that plagued humanity in these unreached lands. It foreshadows the broader Gentile mission later fully inaugurated by the apostles.