Mark 5 20

Mark 5:20 kjv

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Mark 5:20 nkjv

And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Mark 5:20 niv

So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Mark 5:20 esv

And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Mark 5:20 nlt

So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 20 Meaning

Mark 5:20 describes the immediate response of the man formerly possessed by a legion of demons after being healed by Jesus. Defying the implied geographical limit of Jesus' command to tell "friends" and "family" (Mark 5:19), the man enthusiastically departed into the Decapolis, a region predominantly populated by Gentiles, and began to publicly proclaim the extraordinary acts Jesus had performed for him. His personal testimony led to widespread astonishment among the people in that region.

Mark 5 20 Context

Mark 5:20 concludes the powerful account of Jesus' deliverance of the Gerasene Demoniac. The chapter begins with Jesus crossing to the predominantly Gentile region east of the Sea of Galilee, where He encounters a man severely oppressed by a "Legion" of demons, rendering him an outcast beyond human control. Jesus dramatically demonstrates His supreme authority over all evil powers by casting the demons into a herd of pigs, which then rush into the sea. This unprecedented display of divine power, however, causes the local population to fear and ask Jesus to leave their territory. Before departing, Jesus instructs the healed man, now restored to his right mind, to "go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you" (Mark 5:19). Verse 20 reveals the man's profound obedience and expanded mission; instead of confining his testimony to his immediate friends, his zeal led him to become the first Gentile missionary, boldly proclaiming Christ's redemptive power throughout the wider region of the Decapolis, laying early groundwork for the universal scope of the Gospel message.

Mark 5 20 Word analysis

• And he departed (ἀπῆλθεν): The Greek verb suggests a direct, active departure. The man's going forth is a decisive action immediately following his miraculous healing and Jesus' instruction. It marks his transition from being bound and marginalized to being a free, mobile herald.
• and began (ἤρξατο): This imperfect tense verb emphasizes the initiation of an action that continued. The man didn't just say something; he embarked on a sustained activity. It highlights his newfound agency and enthusiasm in his transformed state.
• to proclaim (κηρύσσειν): From the Greek κηρύσσω (kērussō), meaning "to herald, preach, or publicly announce as an official messenger." This is a strong verb, far beyond casual conversation. It implies a public, authoritative declaration. It contrasts sharply with his previous state of incoherent cries (Mark 5:5), demonstrating his complete restoration and a new purpose given by Christ. This also shows his eagerness to obey Christ's spirit, even broadening the sphere of instruction (Mark 5:19) from "friends" to the public realm.
• in Decapolis (τῇ Δεκαπόλει): From Greek "Deca Polis," meaning "Ten Cities." This was a region of ten self-governing Gentile cities primarily east of the Jordan River. It was a predominantly Gentile area, largely independent of Jewish rule and custom. His proclamation here signifies the Good News transcending Jewish boundaries, prefiguring the Gentile mission of the Church and Jesus' lordship over all nations, even those previously fearful of His power (Mark 5:17).
• how much (ὅσα): This pronoun means "how many things," "what great things." It emphasizes the magnitude and multitude of the deliverance and blessing he received, encompassing both the spiritual liberation from demons and the physical and mental restoration. It suggests the profundity of Jesus' work for him.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς): The Greek name for the Son of God, derived from Hebrew "Yeshua" or "Joshua," meaning "The Lord is salvation" or "YHWH saves." It's significant that the man specifies "Jesus" here, acknowledging Him personally as the source of his transformation, even though Jesus told him to tell "how much the Lord had done" (Mark 5:19). This indicates the man clearly understood that "the Lord" in this context was Jesus Himself, highlighting Jesus' divine identity to a Gentile audience.
• had done (ἐποίησεν): An aorist tense verb, indicating a completed action in the past, yet with ongoing results. Jesus' act of healing was definitive and complete, utterly changing the man's life.
• for him: Highlights the deeply personal and relational nature of Jesus' work. It wasn't an abstract deed but a direct intervention for one individual. This personal experience became the foundation of his powerful testimony.
• and all marveled (ἐθαύμαζον): The imperfect tense here suggests that the people's amazement was continuous and ongoing, not merely a fleeting moment. Their wonder signifies the impact of the testimony and the extraordinary nature of Jesus' deed, laying the groundwork for further openness to the Gospel in a region where Jesus was initially asked to leave.

• "And he departed, and began to proclaim": This phrase highlights the immediate and intentional nature of the man's mission. He didn't hesitate or merely reflect; he acted, becoming an active participant in spreading the news of Christ's power. It shows the transformative power of divine mercy that moves one to immediate witness.
• "proclaim in Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him": This demonstrates the powerful, evangelistic nature of a personal testimony. The content of his message was simple yet profound: what Jesus specifically did for him. This personal angle resonated with listeners and underscored Jesus' compassionate and active involvement in individual lives, contrasting the local community's prior fear and desire for Jesus to depart. It implicitly argues against the idea that God's power is exclusive to any single people group, as it is proclaimed in a Gentile land.
• "and all marveled": This outcome testifies to the impact of the man's story and the supernatural nature of the miracle. It shows that truth, especially God's power demonstrated in transformation, can cut through prejudice and create astonishment, paving the way for faith. Their marveling indicates a change from the fear that led to Jesus' expulsion (Mark 5:17).

Mark 5 20 Bonus section

This incident, particularly the man's decision to proclaim throughout the Decapolis, has been viewed by scholars as a "mini-Great Commission" for the Gentiles, occurring remarkably early in Jesus' ministry. It showcases a form of lay evangelism—a person not from the core Twelve, nor explicitly trained, but motivated by radical transformation, spreading the news of Christ's work. The subsequent narrative in Mark shows Jesus' positive reception when he later returns to this very region (Mark 7:31-37), implying that the formerly demon-possessed man's testimony had prepared the ground, transforming an area of rejection into one of openness. This underscores that personal testimony, even from an unexpected source and in a seemingly disobedient manner regarding the exact scope, can profoundly further God's redemptive plan beyond initial expectations.

Mark 5 20 Commentary

Mark 5:20 powerfully illustrates the immediate, overflowing response to genuine divine liberation. The man delivered from Legion, instead of remaining quiet or physically joining Jesus' disciples as he desired (Mark 5:18), embraced a different but equally vital form of discipleship: becoming an unsolicited and zealous evangelist. Despite Jesus instructing him to tell his "friends" (Mark 5:19), the profound impact of his healing compelled him to extend his witness to the wider public of the Decapolis, a significant Gentile region. This apparent deviation from Jesus' exact words highlights obedience to the spirit of Christ's commission, a gratitude so profound it burst past literal confines. His simple yet powerful testimony centered not on theological complexities, but on the deeply personal truth of "how much Jesus had done for him"—a concrete, undeniable miracle that resonated with his audience. The ensuing "marvel" among the people indicates the impact of personal narrative combined with irrefutable proof of Christ's power, marking this transformed man as the unexpected first Gentile missionary and a testament to the universality of the Gospel before the Great Commission was even formally given.

For instance, much like this man, a person radically set free from addiction might be compelled to share their story, not just with close family, but through community groups or public forums, becoming a living testimony to Christ's transforming power in their life, evoking wonder and opening hearts to the Good News.