Mark 5 16

Mark 5:16 kjv

And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

Mark 5:16 nkjv

And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.

Mark 5:16 niv

Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man?and told about the pigs as well.

Mark 5:16 esv

And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs.

Mark 5:16 nlt

Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs.

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 16 Meaning

The verse states that those who directly witnessed the dramatic events surrounding Jesus' interaction with the demon-possessed man and the subsequent destruction of the herd of swine, proceeded to relay a detailed account of how these occurrences unfolded. This testimony was crucial, as it brought to the surrounding community an eyewitness validation of Jesus' profound authority over demonic forces and the physical realm, setting the stage for the inhabitants' subsequent actions.

Mark 5 16 Context

Mark chapter 5 opens with Jesus' crossing to the predominantly Gentile region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes in other Gospels), demonstrating His authority extends beyond Jewish territory. The immediate preceding narrative describes Jesus confronting and casting out a "Legion" of demons from a man living among the tombs, a man utterly bound and tormented. These demons, upon Jesus' command, enter a vast herd of pigs, causing them to rush violently down a bank into the sea and drown. Verse 16 serves as the vital link between this astonishing miracle and the subsequent reaction of the local community. It underscores that the ensuing commotion in the city and surrounding country was fueled by the firsthand accounts of those who witnessed the full extent of this extraordinary event.

Mark 5 16 Word analysis

• "And" (Καί - Kai): This conjunction serves as a narrative bridge, linking the prior dramatic event of the exorcism and the pigs' demise directly to the subsequent action of the eyewitnesses reporting it. It signals a logical progression in the story.
• "they that saw it" (οἱ ἰδόντες - hoi idontes): This specifically identifies the swineherds as the direct, firsthand observers of the miracle. The Greek idontes, from horaō, denotes a profound witnessing—seeing and understanding, not just a casual glance. This highlights the irrefutable nature of their testimony.
• "told them" (ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτοῖς - apēnggeilan autois): The verb apaggellō (ἀπαγγέλλω) implies reporting, announcing, or proclaiming news, often with a sense of urgency or conveying important information. "Them" refers to the residents of the nearby city and surrounding rural areas who were impacted by or concerned with the demoniac and the livestock.
• "how it befell" (πῶς ἐγένετο - pōs egeneto): This phrase emphasizes that the report was not just about the fact of what happened, but it included the manner or process of how it came to pass. The witnesses provided a detailed account of the sequence of events.
• "to him that was possessed with the devil" (τῷ δαιμονιζομένῳ - tō daimonizomenō): Refers to the once-tormented man who was healed. The Greek daimonizomai clearly denotes a state of being afflicted or controlled by demons. The eyewitnesses conveyed the dramatic transformation of this man from his previous uncontrollable state.
• "and concerning the swine" (καὶ περὶ τῶν χοίρων - kai peri tōn choirōn): This clause highlights the dual nature of the eyewitness report. The destruction of the approximately 2000 pigs, representing a significant economic loss, was a crucial part of the witnesses' account alongside the man's healing. The mention of unclean animals (swine) in a Hellenistic context emphasizes the collision of divine power with both spiritual evil and worldly concerns.

(ul)

• "they that saw it told them": This phrase emphasizes the vital role of credible eyewitness accounts in transmitting the truth of Jesus' power. Such direct testimony formed the bedrock of early Christian witness, where "what we have seen and heard" was paramount.
• "how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and concerning the swine": This segment encapsulates the core of the eyewitness narrative. It powerfully contrasts the deliverance of a human life—an invaluable spiritual gain—with the destruction of significant material wealth, framing the imminent choice the local community would face concerning Jesus. The specific detailing of "how" suggests an effort to provide full and accurate information regarding a profoundly unsettling, yet undeniably miraculous, event. The juxtaposition implicitly highlights Jesus' dominion over both human suffering caused by spiritual forces and the material world.

Mark 5 16 Bonus section

• The event and its subsequent report serve as a powerful testament to the tangible nature of Jesus' authority over all forms of darkness, spiritual and material, setting Him apart from any other spiritual figure or local healer of the time.
• The "Legion" of demons, possibly alluding to Roman military presence, further highlights Jesus' ultimate sovereignty, signifying a triumph not only over spiritual oppression but perhaps also over the oppressive earthly powers of the day.
• This verse anticipates the critical choice the community will make, driven by their response to economic loss over spiritual gain, a recurring theme throughout the Gospels in differing contexts.
• The detail of the swineherds explaining "how it befell" indicates their profound impact by the events, reflecting not just their fear but their attempts to make sense of and convey the inexplicable to others.

Mark 5 16 Commentary

Mark 5:16 is a pivotal narrative element, detailing the essential function of eyewitness testimony in broadcasting the news of Jesus' monumental power. The swineherds, direct witnesses to the astonishing exorcism and the accompanying demise of a vast pig herd, did not just report that events occurred, but provided a vivid account of how these bewildering acts transpired. Their specific report of the cured man alongside the drowned swine underscored the radical impact of Jesus' intervention. While the healed man's transformation displayed profound mercy, the economic loss from the pigs presented a challenging aspect of the miracle to the locals. This detailed communication served to draw the entire region to Jesus, leading to a crucial, if unexpected, societal reaction to His presence and authority. It exemplifies how truth, even miraculous truth, can elicit a complex mix of awe, fear, and practical concerns.