Mark 5 13

Mark 5:13 kjv

And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Mark 5:13 nkjv

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.

Mark 5:13 niv

He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Mark 5:13 esv

So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

Mark 5:13 nlt

So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 13 Meaning

Mark 5:13 describes the immediate and devastating outcome after Jesus granted the legion of unclean spirits permission to enter a herd of swine. Upon receiving permission, the spirits left the man and immediately entered the approximately two thousand pigs. The entire herd then rushed headlong down a steep bank into the Sea of Galilee, where they all drowned, symbolizing the ultimate destruction and self-destructive nature of evil forces in the presence of divine authority.

Mark 5 13 Context

Mark 5:13 is part of the narrative concerning Jesus casting out a legion of demons from a man in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, as in other Gospels). The preceding verses describe the man's extreme torment, his recognition of Jesus as the Son of the Most High God, and the demons' desperate plea not to be sent out of the country or into the abyss, but instead into a nearby herd of swine. This request from the demons is significant, as pigs were considered unclean animals by Jewish law, and the region, while Gentile-dominated, was adjacent to Jewish territory. The vast number of pigs, around two thousand, indicates a large commercial operation. The historical context reveals a clash between Jewish purity laws and Gentile farming practices. The immediate granting of permission by Jesus, followed by the catastrophic destruction of the herd, profoundly impacts the local inhabitants, leading them to plead for Jesus to leave their region, valuing their economic livelihood over the miracle of deliverance and healing.

Mark 5 13 Word analysis

• And forthwith: (Greek: kai euthys) The term euthys (immediately, straightway) is characteristic of Mark's Gospel, appearing frequently and emphasizing the swift, decisive nature of Jesus' actions. It denotes promptness and immediacy, underscoring Jesus' potent command and the spirits' instantaneous obedience.

• Jesus gave them leave: (Greek: epitrépō - permit, allow, empower) This phrase highlights Jesus' supreme authority over the demonic realm. The spirits could not act independently or enter the swine without His express permission. This contrasts with the pervasive pagan beliefs of the time where various spirits were thought to operate freely or according to lesser powers; Jesus alone exercises ultimate, unquestionable dominion.

• And the unclean spirits: (Greek: ta pneúmata ta akátharta) Refers to demonic entities. "Unclean" signifies not merely ceremonial defilement but inherent spiritual impurity, opposing God's holiness. Mark consistently uses this term to denote evil spirits, highlighting their moral defilement and opposition to divine order. They are distinctly separate from human spirits.

• went out: Indicates the successful expulsion from the man, validating Jesus' power over them. Their exit marks the completion of the man's deliverance.

• and entered into the swine: This confirms their new abode and fulfills their requested destination. The act of entry signifies their intent to possess and control, revealing their malevolent nature even towards animals.

• and the herd: (Greek: hagélē) Refers specifically to a large group of swine, implying commercial livestock.

• ran violently down a steep place: (Greek: ōrmēsen kata tou krēmnoú) Hormao means to rush, be propelled, or stampede, indicating a forceful, uncontrollable plunge. Krēmnos denotes a precipice or cliff. This uncontrolled rush reveals the destructive essence of the demons; they did not quietly integrate but led their new hosts to immediate, self-annihilating ruin.

• into the sea: The Sea of Galilee, a significant geographical feature in Jesus' ministry. The sea is often depicted in biblical thought as a chaotic, untamed, or destructive element, sometimes associated with spiritual forces of evil or judgment (cf. Rev 20:13).

• (they were about two thousand;): This parenthetical detail emphasizes the enormous number of pigs involved, and by extension, the multitude of demons (Legion was "many"). This detail magnifies the economic loss incurred by the local populace and visually represents the immense spiritual oppression lifted from the man.

• and were choked in the sea: (Greek: epnīgon) Meaning to drown, suffocate, or be submerged and killed. This signifies the total and irreversible destruction of both the pigs and, critically, the departure or complete subjugation of the demons within them, perhaps even their torment, fulfilling the spirits' fear of destruction.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out": This phrase highlights Jesus' unquestionable authority and the instant, submissive obedience of even powerful demonic entities. There's no negotiation, no struggle, just command and compliance. It starkly portrays Jesus as sovereign over all spiritual powers.
  • "entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea...and were choked in the sea": This sequence illustrates the inherent destructive and self-annihilating nature of evil. Given leave to act, the demons immediately brought about utter devastation to their new hosts. The physical death of the pigs into the watery abyss serves as a vivid metaphor for the spiritual and ultimate destruction that awaits evil. The massive scale (two thousand) underlines the extent of the evil confronted and eradicated.

Mark 5 13 Bonus section

The destruction of the two thousand pigs in the sea is fraught with symbolism. For a Jewish audience, the pigs were not only unclean animals forbidden for consumption but often associated with pagan worship and practices, particularly in Gentile areas like the Decapolis. Their violent destruction into the sea, a common biblical image for chaos and judgment (compare Noah's flood or the Red Sea parting), could symbolize the final judgment and ultimate fate of all unholiness and evil under Christ's dominion. The financial loss was immense, demonstrating that Jesus' primary concern was spiritual deliverance and the triumph over evil, not material prosperity or maintaining the status quo of a society steeped in unclean practices. The sheer number of pigs also emphasizes the profundity of the man's prior possession—a truly vast "Legion" had tormented him, making the liberation all the more miraculous and significant.

Mark 5 13 Commentary

Mark 5:13 provides a powerful and visceral demonstration of Jesus' absolute authority over the unseen spiritual realm. The swift obedience of the "Legion" of unclean spirits, from the initial request for permission to their immediate departure and entry into the swine, underscores His divine power. The resulting cataclysm, with two thousand pigs plunging to their deaths, is not merely an incidental outcome but a graphic portrayal of the inherently destructive and self-annihilating nature of evil itself. While some question the necessity of such economic loss, this event confirms the literal reality of the demonic, Jesus' ability to command even vast numbers of them, and that evil, when left unchecked or given license, ultimately leads to ruin. The annihilation of the pigs signifies the utter defeat and unholy nature of the spirits; they are destined for destruction, represented here by drowning in the unclean waters. The focus shifts from the dramatic personal healing to the tangible display of spiritual power affecting the natural world.