Mark 5:18 kjv
And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mark 5:18 nkjv
And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.
Mark 5:18 niv
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.
Mark 5:18 esv
As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him.
Mark 5:18 nlt
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him.
Mark 5 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text (shortened) | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 8:38 | Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him... | Parallel account; desire to be with Jesus. |
| Mk 5:19 | Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home... | Jesus' counter-command; sends him away. |
| Acts 1:8 | ...ye shall receive power...and ye shall be witnesses... | Call to be witnesses by divine power. |
| Mt 28:19 | Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... | The Great Commission. |
| Mk 16:15 | Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel... | Evangelistic commission. |
| Psa 66:16 | Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done. | Testifying about God's work. |
| Isa 43:10 | Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen... | God appoints witnesses. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | ...that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you... | Proclaiming God's marvelous works. |
| Jn 4:28-30 | The woman then left her waterpot...and saith to the men, Come, see... | Unconventional witness (Samaritan woman). |
| Lk 8:39 | Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done... | Explicit command to tell others. |
| Lk 9:57 | ...I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. | Desire for continuous companionship. |
| Jn 6:66 | From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. | Commitment in discipleship. |
| Jn 14:3 | ...that where I am, there ye may be also. | Jesus promises future presence. |
| Lk 8:35 | ...and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind... | Transformed state; healed. |
| 2 Cor 5:17 | Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature... | Spiritual transformation. |
| Eph 2:1-5 | And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses... | From spiritual death to life in Christ. |
| Mk 1:27 | ...with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits... | Jesus' authority over demons. |
| Mt 8:16 | ...he cast out the spirits with his word... | Jesus' word has power over demons. |
| Lk 4:36 | ...for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits... | Acknowledgment of Jesus' authority. |
| Acts 22:15 | For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen... | Paul's commission to bear witness. |
| 1 Cor 1:6 | Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you... | Confirmed by divine testimony. |
Mark 5 verses
Mark 5 18 Meaning
After his miraculous deliverance from a powerful legion of demons by Jesus, the formerly tormented man earnestly requested to accompany Jesus as He was departing in a boat. This plea stemmed from a profound gratitude and a newfound desire to remain in the presence of his Deliverer.
Mark 5 18 Context
Mark 5:18 is part of the account of Jesus’ healing of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20). This miracle took place after Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory, specifically the region of the Gerasenes or Gadarenes (part of the Decapolis, a federation of ten mostly Hellenistic cities). Before this verse, Jesus confronted a man terribly tormented by a "Legion" of demons, who lived among tombs, uncontrollably powerful and self-harming. Jesus cast these demons into a herd of about two thousand pigs, which then rushed down a steep bank into the sea and drowned. This event caused significant economic loss to the swineherds and local inhabitants, who responded with fear and awe. They approached Jesus and found the formerly possessed man sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, a stark contrast to his previous wild state. Overwhelmed by fear, they asked Jesus to leave their region, demonstrating a greater concern for their material loss than for the miracle of restoration. It is within this immediate aftermath, as Jesus prepares to depart by boat, that the healed man makes his plea to stay with Jesus.
Mark 5 18 Word analysis
- And when he was come into the ship: (`kai embryontos autou eis to ploion`) This indicates Jesus' immediate departure. The 'ship' (`ploion`, meaning a boat or vessel) symbolizes the end of His visit to this Gentile region and signifies that the healed man’s request was made just as Jesus was leaving. The proximity highlights the urgency and immediacy of the man's desire.
- he that had been possessed with the devil: (`ho daimoniazomenos`) The Greek term `daimoniazomenos` refers to one who is "demonized" or "afflicted by a demon." The imperfect participle highlights his past continuous state of affliction, but now points to the dramatic reversal. He is no longer raging but healed, transformed. This emphasizes the radical nature of Jesus' deliverance and the magnitude of what had just occurred.
- prayed him: (`parekalei auton`) The verb `parekalei` (imperfect tense of `parakaleo`) conveys an earnest, persistent, or even imploring request. It is a humble and respectful appeal. It suggests a heartfelt longing to stay connected with the One who brought such profound deliverance and peace into his life, showing recognition of Jesus' divine authority and saving power.
- that he might be with him: (`hina met' autou he`) This phrase, expressing the purpose of his request, signifies a desire for constant companionship and proximity. It reflects a desire to become a follower or disciple, to learn from and serve Jesus, similar to how disciples followed a rabbi. It implies a recognition of Jesus as the source of his healing and hope, and a deep appreciation leading to devotion.
- "he that had been possessed... prayed him that he might be with him": This grouping contrasts the man's former tormented, isolated state with his new, healed identity expressed through a desire for intimate communion with Jesus. It beautifully illustrates the power of Jesus to transform lives from spiritual bondage to devoted service. The request itself is a powerful testament to the liberating effect of Christ's power, shifting him from being a menace to his community to one desiring to abide in Christ's presence.
- "when he was come into the ship, he... prayed him...": This highlights the transitional moment, stressing the urgency of the man's request just as Jesus was preparing to leave. It underlines the intensity of his gratitude and his immediate understanding that true deliverance involves an enduring connection with the Deliverer, not merely a fleeting moment of relief.
Mark 5 18 Bonus section
The request of the Gerasene demoniac to "be with" Jesus, though denied, underscores an important principle of Christian mission: while some are called to accompany Jesus closely (like the apostles), others are commissioned to serve by bearing witness right where they are, using their personal experience of Christ's power as their testimony. This unexpected sending of the man to his own people, who previously feared and rejected him, contrasts sharply with the townspeople's plea for Jesus to leave their region. The transformed man, once outcast and terrifying, now becomes a living embodiment of God's mercy and a herald of His kingdom, preparing the ground for future Gospel work in the Decapolis. His story exemplifies how genuine conversion often leads to an immediate impulse to share the news of Christ's work, making every redeemed individual a potential missionary within their community.
Mark 5 18 Commentary
Mark 5:18 captures a pivotal moment of deep personal transformation and a test of discipleship. The man, utterly transformed from a life of violent demonic torment, expresses an understandable and heartfelt desire to stay with Jesus. His plea, "that he might be with him," reflects profound gratitude, a longing for security, and an implicit recognition of Jesus as his Lord and Savior. It is a natural human response to extraordinary deliverance. However, Jesus' subsequent command (in verse 19), to "go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee," reveals a deeper understanding of discipleship. Jesus redirects the man's desire for physical presence into a powerful commission for personal evangelism. This teaches that true fellowship with Christ isn't solely about physical proximity, but often involves being sent out to bear witness to God's transforming power within one's own sphere of influence. The healed Gerasene demoniac thus becomes the first Gentile missionary in the Decapolis, testifying not in an organized ministry, but through his living experience of God's grace and compassion.