Mark 5 5

Mark 5:5 kjv

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Mark 5:5 nkjv

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

Mark 5:5 niv

Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

Mark 5:5 esv

Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.

Mark 5:5 nlt

Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 5 Meaning

Mark 5:5 vividly portrays the relentless torment and extreme self-destructive behavior of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. It emphasizes the continuous nature of his suffering, day and night, in desolate and unclean places—the mountains and tombs. His uncontrollable cries and severe self-mutilation with stones highlight the devastating power of the evil spirits controlling him, reducing him to a state of profound desperation, isolation, and physical anguish beyond human capability to control or alleviate.

Mark 5 5 Context

Mark 5:5 is part of the extensive narrative of Jesus casting out a legion of demons from a man in the Gentile region of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1-20). The verse details the man's horrific condition before encountering Jesus, providing a stark contrast to his post-deliverance state. This incident follows Jesus' calming of the storm at sea (Mark 4:35-41), further demonstrating His supreme authority not only over nature but also over spiritual forces of evil. The setting in Gentile territory is significant, highlighting Jesus' ministry extending beyond the traditional Jewish boundaries and confronting a very extreme case of demonic oppression in a non-Jewish context. The man's isolation in tombs and mountains, places of uncleanness and wilderness, underscores his utter destitution and separation from society, making his healing an even more profound testament to Christ's compassionate power and redemptive work.

Mark 5 5 Word analysis

• And always (διαπαντός - diapantos):
  • Signifies ceaseless continuity, without intermission. This was not an occasional outburst but a relentless, ongoing state of torment.
  • The demon's control was constant, leaving the man no reprieve from suffering.
• night and day (νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας - nyktos kai hēmeras):
  • Reinforces the concept of "always," emphasizing every moment, every cycle of time.
  • Illustrates the extreme and inescapable nature of his torment, affecting him across all periods. No time of rest or relief.
• he was in the mountains (ὄρεσιν - oresin):
  • Refers to rugged, uninhabited, desolate wilderness areas, often serving as havens for outcasts or as places for spiritual struggle (e.g., Jesus in the wilderness).
  • Signifies his utter isolation from human society.
  • Mountains were also sometimes perceived as places where spirits or wild things resided.
• and in the tombs (μνήμασιν - mnēmasin):
  • Specifically, burial caves or rock-cut tombs, not necessarily open graves.
  • Places associated with death and decay, ritually unclean in Jewish law (Num 19:16).
  • A fitting abode for someone dominated by unclean spirits, further isolating him from the living.
  • Symbolizes being alienated from life, among the dead.
• crying out (κράζων - krazōn):
  • A loud, hoarse, often uncontrolled or animalistic cry, shriek, or scream. It is not normal speaking.
  • Reveals the profound agony, fear, and desperation within him, likely from the demons themselves and the man's own anguish.
  • Reflects the disruptive, violent nature of the demonic presence.
• and cutting himself (κατακόπτων ἑαυτόν - katakoptōn heauton):
  • Katakoptō literally means 'to cut down' or 'to cut in pieces.' Here, 'cutting himself' or 'gashing himself.'
  • Indicates severe self-mutilation, violent acts of self-harm, a clear manifestation of deep spiritual and psychological torment inflicted by the demons.
  • This brutal act aligns with ancient pagan practices of religious ecstasy or appeasement (cf. priests of Baal in 1 Kgs 18:28).
• with stones (λίθοις - lithois):
  • The readily available means of inflicting self-harm in such desolate environments.
  • Adds to the horror and primal nature of his affliction; he uses whatever destructive implements he could find.
  • Highlights the desperate reality of his constant pain.

Mark 5 5 Bonus section

The detailed description of the demoniac's suffering in Mark 5:5 highlights the true spiritual warfare that Jesus engaged in. It illustrates that demonic activity is not merely an internal struggle but can manifest in concrete, destructive ways, impacting an individual's physical body, social standing, and mental state. The use of "unclean spirit" in the parallel narratives and elsewhere (Mark 1:23) is consistent with the choice of tombs as the man's dwelling, as graves rendered people ritually unclean according to the Mosaic Law. Thus, the demons' influence pushed him into both a literal and spiritual state of impurity and isolation. This man represents the pinnacle of spiritual bondage and illustrates that only the unparalleled power of Christ can break such chains, demonstrating His absolute victory over all forces of darkness. His condition contrasts starkly with his state after deliverance: from outcast among tombs to a clothed, sane witness for Jesus (Mark 5:15-20).

Mark 5 5 Commentary

Mark 5:5 is a critical verse in portraying the utter devastation wrought by demonic oppression. It is a portrait of extreme human suffering, not just mental or emotional, but physical and societal. The demoniac is stripped of all normalcy: he is homeless, perpetually tormented, socially alienated, and subjected to grievous self-inflicted wounds. His constant cries are a lament of relentless agony, while his self-laceration highlights the diabolical intention of destroying God's image in man. The choice of location—mountains and tombs—emphasizes his complete isolation from humanity and connection to death and impurity. This serves to amplify the darkness of the situation, making the ensuing encounter with Jesus even more powerful. It showcases a humanity brought to its lowest, most desperate state, perfectly setting the stage for the glorious demonstration of Christ's supreme authority and compassion to restore and deliver. This verse underscores the complete and merciless grip evil can have on an individual, rendering them helpless without divine intervention.