Mark 5 12

Mark 5:12 kjv

And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Mark 5:12 nkjv

So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."

Mark 5:12 niv

The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them."

Mark 5:12 esv

and they begged him, saying, "Send us to the pigs; let us enter them."

Mark 5:12 nlt

"Send us into those pigs," the spirits begged. "Let us enter them."

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 12 Meaning

Mark 5:12 describes the request made by the legion of demons possessing the man in the country of the Gerasenes. They acknowledged Jesus' supreme authority over them and, rather than being cast out into the abyss directly, implored Him to send them into a herd of swine. This verse highlights the demons' desperate recognition of Jesus' power and their desire for an alternative dwelling.

Mark 5 12 Context

Mark chapter 5 begins immediately after Jesus calms the storm, further demonstrating His power over creation. He then arrives in the country of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes in other Gospels), which was a Gentile region on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. The presence of pigs, an animal unclean for Jews according to the Mosaic Law (Lev 11:7), strongly confirms this Gentile context. Upon arrival, Jesus is immediately confronted by a man possessed by a multitude of unclean spirits, who identifies himself as "Legion, for we are many." This prior verse (Mark 5:9) establishes the enormity of the demonic presence. Mark 5:12, therefore, arises from this confrontation, with the demons themselves initiating the plea to Jesus, acknowledging their subordination and fate.

Mark 5 12 Word analysis

• And they entreated Him (καὶ παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν - kai parekalesan auton):

  • καὶ (kai): "And," connecting to the preceding narrative of the demons acknowledging Jesus.
  • παρεκάλεσαν (parekalesan): From parakaleō, meaning to "call alongside," "implore," "beseech," or "entreat." This verb is crucial; it shows the demons are not commanding Jesus but pleading with Him. It highlights their absolute subjection to His authority and their desperate attempt to negotiate a fate they prefer over direct torment or the abyss.
  • αὐτὸν (auton): "Him," referring to Jesus. The object of their supplication.

• saying (λέγοντες - legontes):

  • λέγοντες (legontes): "Saying" or "speaking." A common participle indicating what was said.

• “Send us (πέμψον ἡμᾶς - pempson hēmas):”

  • πέμψον (pempson): From pempō, "send." This is an imperative (command/request). Despite being demonic, they ask for permission to move. They cannot act without Jesus' consent, reinforcing His absolute control.
  • ἡμᾶς (hēmas): "Us," referring to the multitude of demons within the man, collectively known as Legion.

• to the pigs (εἰς τοὺς χοίρους - eis tous choirous):

  • εἰς (eis): "Into" or "to." Indicates the direction or destination.
  • τοὺς χοίρους (tous choirous): "The pigs" or "the swine." These animals were considered abominable and unclean by Jewish law (Lev 11:7). Their presence indicates a Gentile region, further emphasizing Jesus' authority extending beyond Jewish lands. The choice of pigs demonstrates the defiling nature of the demons and points to their ultimate judgment as they run to destruction.

• so that we may enter into them (ἵνα εἰς αὐτοὺς εἰσέλθωμεν - hina eis autous eiselthōmen):

  • ἵνα (hina): "So that," introducing a purpose clause. It clarifies their reason for asking to be sent to the pigs.
  • εἰς (eis): "Into." Again, direction.
  • αὐτοὺς (autous): "Them," referring back to the pigs.
  • εἰσέλθωμεν (eiselthōmen): From eiserchomai, "enter in," or "go into." It signifies their intention to possess the animals, revealing their nature as spirits that desire a dwelling place. They prefer a physical host, even an unclean animal, to torment or being disembodied or confined to the "abyss" (Lk 8:31).

Mark 5 12 Bonus section

The demons' request to enter pigs can be seen as a strategic, albeit futile, attempt to retain some form of agency and delay what they knew was their inevitable ultimate judgment. They understood that their time was not yet "full" (Matt 8:29) but also recognized that Jesus had the power to bind them at will. This episode emphasizes that even hostile spiritual forces are under God's sovereign control and cannot operate outside His permissive will. It provides a visual demonstration of the destructive spiritual reality of demonization, contrasting the chaos demons bring with the order and authority of Jesus.

Mark 5 12 Commentary

Mark 5:12 offers profound insights into the spiritual realm and Jesus' divine power. The demons' plea to be sent into pigs rather than be directly expelled underscores their recognition of Jesus as the Son of God with unparalleled authority. They are not merely asking but entreating, highlighting their desperation and fear of Jesus' direct command, which they believe would lead to immediate torment or confinement in the "abyss" (as seen in Luke's parallel, Lk 8:31). This willingness to enter "unclean" animals signifies their own defiled nature and their preference for any host over non-existence or judgment. The subsequent destruction of the herd of pigs serves as a powerful, tangible demonstration of the sheer number and destructive power of the demonic legion that had previously afflicted the man, and equally, the supreme power of Christ who could command such a force. The cost involved in the loss of the pigs also illustrates the immense value God places on a single human soul, demonstrating that the deliverance of one man from evil was worth more than a large material possession.