Mark 5 8

Mark 5:8 kjv

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

Mark 5:8 nkjv

For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"

Mark 5:8 niv

For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you impure spirit!"

Mark 5:8 esv

For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"

Mark 5:8 nlt

For Jesus had already said to the spirit, "Come out of the man, you evil spirit."

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 8 Meaning

Mark 5:8 reveals Jesus' supreme and immediate authority over demonic forces. Even as the demoniac screams and identifies Jesus, this verse clarifies that Jesus had already issued a direct, potent command for the "unclean spirit" to depart from the man. It underscores Jesus' proactive power in liberating those under demonic oppression, demonstrating that spiritual entities must submit to His authoritative word.

Mark 5 8 Context

Mark 5:8 is part of the account of Jesus healing the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20), a dramatic display of Jesus' power over evil spirits in Gentile territory. The immediate preceding verse (Mk 5:7) describes the demon's desperate outcry, "What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me!" This verse (Mk 5:8) explains why the demon was pleading: Jesus had already commanded it to depart. The structure indicates that the demon's dramatic plea was a reaction to Jesus' preemptive authority. This powerful encounter highlights Jesus' sovereignty, even over legions of demons, in a land considered unclean and populated by Gentiles, signaling the universal scope of His ministry. Culturally, the presence of demons and beliefs about exorcism were common in 1st-century Palestine. Unlike contemporary Jewish exorcists who might employ specific names or rituals, Jesus operates purely by His inherent divine authority, commanding spirits directly. The narrative directly contrasts the fear and manipulation attempted by the demons with Jesus' calm, irresistible command.

Mark 5 8 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): This is a causal conjunction, explaining why the demon was screaming and pleading in the previous verse (Mk 5:7). It implies that the demon's dramatic reaction was a response to Jesus' already issued or actively stated command. Mark often uses "gar" to provide background information or the reason for a preceding statement.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The Greek form of the Hebrew "Yeshua" (Joshua), meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "the Lord saves." Here, it signifies the personal identity and divine mission of the One exercising ultimate spiritual authority. His very name embodies His power to liberate.
• had said (ἔλεγεν, elegene): This is in the imperfect tense in Greek. The imperfect tense here is crucial, as it denotes an action already in progress or completed, serving as the basis for a subsequent event. It suggests Jesus either had just said the command, or was in the process of repeatedly saying it, which prompted the demon's desperate reaction in Mark 5:7. It's not a mere immediate command but frames the exorcism as flowing from Jesus' decisive, inherent authority.
• to him (αὐτῷ, autō): Refers directly to the "unclean spirit" inhabiting the man, indicating the command is addressed not to the possessed person but to the entity within. This precision shows Jesus' understanding of the nature of possession.
• Come out (ἔξελθε, exelthe): This is an aorist imperative, a strong, direct, and unyielding command for immediate action. It reflects absolute authority with no room for negotiation or resistance. It’s the characteristic form of Jesus’ commands to demons throughout the Gospels.
• of this man (ἐκ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ek tou anthrōpou): "Ek" means "out from." This phrase emphasizes the desired separation of the evil spirit from the human host, highlighting Jesus' purpose of liberation and restoration of the individual. The focus is on the human person as the one to be freed.
• you evil spirit! (τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἀκάθαρτον, to pneuma to akatharton):
  • Spirit (πνεῦμα, pneuma): Denotes an immaterial being.
  • Evil (ἀκάθαρτον, akatharton): Literally "unclean." This is a significant term in Mark. While it means "morally foul," its primary Old Testament and Jewish usage (referring to food, animals, rituals, places, or people) carries strong connotations of ceremonial impurity that renders one unfit for God's presence or worship. Thus, "unclean spirit" suggests not only moral malevolence but also spiritual defilement, pollutes, and separates from holiness. Jesus, through this command, demonstrates His authority over all forms of defilement and His ability to make clean.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "For Jesus had said to him,": This explanatory clause clarifies that Jesus' authority initiated the confrontation. It signifies that the demon's loud outcry in the preceding verse was a desperate reaction to Jesus' already declared command, underscoring Jesus' control and the demons' subservience from the outset of the encounter.
• "'Come out of this man, you evil spirit!'": This is a direct address and forceful imperative. It displays Jesus' personal, inherent power. He doesn't invoke a higher power or use rituals; He simply commands with divine authority. The dual components—the command to "come out" and the clear identification of "evil spirit"—articulate both the action demanded and the entity being addressed, leaving no ambiguity about His authority and purpose.

Mark 5 8 Bonus section

The account of the Gerasene demoniac, including Mark 5:8, takes place in Gentile territory (Decapolis). This geographical setting is significant, as it shows Jesus' ministry extends beyond Israel to those considered outside the covenant, foreshadowing the global reach of the gospel. The swine herd, a deeply unclean animal according to Jewish law, being possessed by the legion of demons and perishing in the sea, symbolizes a decisive act of judgment and removal of deep spiritual defilement from the land, illustrating Jesus' power to deal with Gentile idolatry and impurity. The demoniac, once uncontrollably wild and violent, becomes sane and composed (Mark 5:15) after the single command from Jesus mentioned in this verse, demonstrating the immediate and transformative power of Christ's word. This specific verse emphasizes that the very sound of Jesus' authoritative voice, not necessarily a long battle, precipitates the fear and subsequent departure of the powerful demonic presence.

Mark 5 8 Commentary

Mark 5:8 unveils Jesus' inherent and unparalleled authority over the unseen spiritual realm. Far from being surprised by the demon's outburst in the previous verse, this verse reveals that Jesus had already issued the decisive command for the evil spirit to evacuate the man. The Greek imperfect tense of "had said" implies an ongoing or prior command, positioning Jesus as the initiator of the confrontation, compelling the demons into their fearful recognition and pleas. This simple, authoritative declaration "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"—with no rituals or appeals to a higher power—shows Jesus operating from His own divine essence. He does not debate or negotiate; He simply commands, exposing the vulnerability and subservience of spiritual wickedness to His word. The term "unclean spirit" (ἀκάθαρτον πνεῦμα) highlights the defiling nature of demonic presence and Jesus' power to cleanse and restore humanity to wholeness and purity, directly opposing spiritual corruption. This verse is a concise demonstration of the Son of God's dominion over darkness and His redemptive mission to liberate creation from evil's grip.