Mark 5 10

Mark 5:10 kjv

And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Mark 5:10 nkjv

Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

Mark 5:10 niv

And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

Mark 5:10 esv

And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country.

Mark 5:10 nlt

Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 10 Meaning

Mark 5:10 portrays the desperate plea of a legion of demons to Jesus Christ, earnestly begging Him not to banish them from the surrounding region where they were operating. This highlights Jesus' unquestionable authority over even powerful spiritual entities, who recognized His power to displace them from their chosen sphere of activity. Their plea reveals a preference for inhabiting an earthly space, even in animals, over being sent into an undesirable spiritual void or a place of further confinement.

Mark 5 10 Context

This verse is situated within the powerful narrative of Jesus' encounter with the Gerasene demoniac, immediately following Jesus' journey across the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory. The chapter begins with the arrival in the country of the Gerasenes, where Jesus immediately encounters a man severely tormented by an "unclean spirit." This spirit, through the man, reveals himself to be "Legion," indicating a multitude of demons inhabiting him. Their recognition of Jesus as the "Son of the Most High God" and their desperate appeal not to be tormented highlight His unparalleled divine authority. Mark 5:10 directly follows their confession and precedes their plea to enter the herd of pigs, which culminates in the destruction of the swine and the locals' fear. The historical context includes the common belief in the pervasive activity of spirits and demons in the 1st century, alongside Roman pagan practices which allowed for unclean animals like pigs in a predominantly Gentile region like the Decapolis. This episode powerfully demonstrates Jesus' dominion over all creation, visible and invisible.

Mark 5 10 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai): "And" - Connects this action (their begging) to their previous statements and acknowledgment of Jesus.
• παρεκάλουν (parekaloun): "they were begging" / "they implored."
  • This is the imperfect tense of parakaleō, suggesting a continuous, repeated, or earnest action. It emphasizes the intensity and persistence of their plea.
  • Lexical significance: Parakaleō can mean to call near, beseech, exhort, comfort. Here it indicates a desperate appeal to authority, not comfort.
  • Despite their destructive power, they are shown in a position of humble, insistent supplication before Jesus.
• αὐτὸν (auton): "Him" (referring to Jesus).
  • Demonstrates their clear recognition of Jesus' identity and, more importantly, His ultimate authority over them. They address no one else; only Jesus can determine their fate.
• πολλά (polla): "much" / "earnestly" / "repeatedly."
  • An adverb emphasizing the degree or intensity of their begging. It underlines their deep fear and desperate desire.
• ἵνα (hina): "in order that" / "that."
  • Introduces a purpose or result clause, specifying the aim of their plea: to prevent a specific action from Jesus.
• μὴ (mē): "not."
  • A negation used with subjective and prohibitive constructions. They are pleading for Jesus not to do something.
• αὐτοὺς (autous): "them" (referring to the demons themselves).
  • Indicates the subjects of Jesus' potential action of sending them away.
• ἀποστείλῃ (aposteilē): "he might send away" / "he might banish."
  • From apostellō, meaning "to send forth," "send off," "dispatch." In this context, it implies banishment or removal from their current sphere of activity or embodiment.
  • This action is precisely what the demons fear most, as it signifies Jesus' absolute control over their location and function.
• ἔξω (exō): "out" / "outside of."
  • Indicates a boundary or exclusion. They fear being cast out of something.
• τῆς (tēs): "the" (feminine singular definite article).
• χώρας (chōras): "region" / "country" / "district."
  • Refers to the geographical area they inhabited and operated in. This specific term implies a local dominion.
  • This phrase "ἔξω τῆς χώρας" suggests a dread of displacement from their preferred dwelling or sphere of influence among humans, particularly in a specific locality, possibly fearing disembodiment or confinement elsewhere. This choice of "region" versus "abyss" (Lk 8:31) highlights their immediate, localized concern but also their fundamental dread of ultimate judgment or a place of further restriction.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And they begged him earnestly" (καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν πολλά): This phrase immediately establishes the demons' recognition of Jesus' supremacy. Despite their own terrifying power, they are reduced to earnest begging, displaying a clear hierarchy where Jesus holds absolute power over them. Their repeated, desperate plea signifies intense fear and the recognition of Jesus' divine authority, indicating a personal encounter rather than a mere theological assertion.
• "not to send them away" (ἵνα μὴ αὐτοὺς ἀποστείλῃ): This direct negative request shows their awareness of Jesus' power to command and control them. The act of "sending away" (ἀποστείλῃ) is perceived by them as a severe punishment or restriction, highlighting their desire to maintain access to corporeal existence or an operational territory.
• "out of the region" (ἔξω τῆς χώρας): This specifies their desired geographic/operational boundary. While Luke's parallel mentions the "abyss," Mark's "out of the region" suggests a localized preference, indicating that spirits often target and occupy specific territories or individuals. Their concern for remaining in this "region" emphasizes their aversion to being unanchored or sent to a more undesirable or desolate spiritual state/location where they cannot carry out their malevolent work on earth.

Mark 5 10 Bonus section

The Markan account of "out of the region" compared to Luke's "into the abyss" (Lk 8:31) provides an interesting dynamic regarding demonic dread. While the "abyss" (Greek abyssos) denotes a place of profound confinement and often ultimate judgment for evil spirits (as seen in Rev 20:3), the Markan emphasis on "the region" (chōra) might suggest an immediate, tangible concern for territoriality and presence. The demons sought to maintain a foothold on Earth, preferring a local physical manifestation (even within swine) to disembodied wandering in barren places or immediate confinement to the dreaded abyss. This distinction emphasizes their desire for an earthly base for their operations and their tactical efforts to avoid total disengagement from the human realm. This also hints at the biblical concept of territorial spirits, though the text here applies specifically to these particular demons and their current locale. Their profound knowledge of their ultimate destiny and fear of the Lord's coming judgment (Mt 8:29 "before the time") fuels their plea, suggesting they knew judgment was inevitable, but sought to postpone their final punishment.

Mark 5 10 Commentary

Mark 5:10 profoundly illustrates Jesus' supreme authority over the spiritual realm, particularly malevolent forces. Even a "Legion" of demons, possessing immense destructive power, was utterly subservient to Christ. Their earnest begging signifies not just fear of punishment, but a desperate desire to avoid displacement from their chosen operational ground among humanity. This reveals that these entities have a preferred habitat—areas where they can inflict their evil. Being sent "out of the region" was undesirable, demonstrating their strategic preference for proximity to humans for their destructive work. This verse confirms that no spiritual power, however strong, can stand against the Lord Jesus, who exercises full dominion over both visible and invisible realms, compelling even His spiritual enemies to bow to His command and appeal for His mercy.Practical applications:

• Acknowledges that spiritual battles are real and occur in specific locations or over specific individuals.
• Encourages believers to exercise Christ's authority against evil strongholds, trusting His power to displace demonic influence.