Mark 5 9

Mark 5:9 kjv

And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

Mark 5:9 nkjv

Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."

Mark 5:9 niv

Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."

Mark 5:9 esv

And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many."

Mark 5:9 nlt

Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?" And he replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man."

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 9 Meaning

Mark 5:9 reveals a pivotal moment where Jesus confronts a multitude of unclean spirits inhabiting a man. When asked for his name, the response "My name is Legion: for we are many" immediately signifies the immense number and collective, organized nature of the demonic presence tormenting the individual. This declaration highlights the extraordinary power and authority of Jesus Christ, who alone is able to command such a formidable demonic force.

Mark 5 9 Context

Mark 5:9 is part of the account of Jesus's ministry in the region of the Gerasenes, which was largely Gentile territory, often seen as ritually unclean due to its pig farming. This specific encounter follows Jesus demonstrating His authority over nature by stilling a fierce storm (Mark 4:35-41), setting the stage for His ultimate power over spiritual realms. The man in question had been violently demon-possessed for a long time, living untamed among the tombs, a place of extreme impurity. His situation represented an absolute extreme of human spiritual bondage and desperation, defying all human attempts to subdue him. Jesus's arrival immediately provokes a powerful, fearful reaction from the demons, who recognize His divine authority before any human does. This scene vividly contrasts human helplessness against such entrenched evil with Christ's unparalleled dominion, underscoring that His salvation extends beyond Jewish lands and traditions, reaching even the most desperate cases and demon-bound individuals.

Mark 5 9 Word analysis

• And he asked him,
  • Refers to Jesus, initiating a direct confrontation with the demonic entity. His inquiry is not from ignorance but from a position of sovereign authority, compelling the spirits to reveal themselves. In ancient contexts, knowing a spirit's name was often considered vital for controlling it, thus Jesus here asserts His ultimate control.
• What is thy name?
  • Original Greek: "Τί σοι ὄνομα;" (Ti soi onoma?) which translates literally to "What name for you?"
  • This question serves to identify the adversary and expose its nature. It demonstrates Jesus's immediate authority over the spiritual realm, forcing a revelation that human efforts could not elicit. It sets the stage for demonstrating that numbers and organization mean nothing against divine power.
• And he answered, saying, My name is Legion:
  • The "he" refers to the collective demonic entity speaking through the man. The immediacy of the answer signifies the absolute compulsion exerted by Jesus.
  • Legion (Λεγιὼν - Legiōn): A Latin loanword into Greek. A Roman Legion was a formidable military unit, typically comprising several thousand soldiers (ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 in different eras), highly organized, powerful, and oppressive.
    • Significance: It communicates an enormous multitude of demons, emphasizing the severity of the man's possession. It also conveys the idea of a highly organized, disciplined, and unified spiritual opposition, rather than a single, isolated demon.
    • Cultural Context & Polemics: In a land occupied by Rome, "Legion" instantly evoked images of military might, oppressive force, and the reality of their conquerors. The demons choosing this "name" might be a taunt, a boast of their strength and oppressive power, or an attempt to instill fear in Jesus. However, it inadvertently highlights Jesus's power to decisively defeat even such overwhelming, oppressive, and organized spiritual forces, demonstrating His ultimate authority over powers, both earthly and unseen.
• for we are many.
  • Original Greek: "ὅτι πολλοί ἐσμεν" (hoti polloi esmen). The "ὅτι" (hoti) functions as "because" or "for," providing the explanation for why "Legion" is the declared name.
  • This phrase clarifies and amplifies the meaning of "Legion," leaving no doubt about the sheer number of spirits involved in the man's torment. It underscores the vastness and intensity of the spiritual attack, yet contrasts sharply with the ease by which Jesus displaces them. Despite their numerical superiority and implied organization, these many spirits are utterly subservient to Jesus's single command.

Mark 5 9 Bonus section

The profound submission of the "Legion" underscores the hierarchy within the demonic realm; even a vast collection of powerful evil spirits must bow to the direct command of Christ. This event is strategically placed in a Gentile area, foreshadowing the global scope of the Gospel and Jesus's authority to redeem and deliver individuals beyond the traditional boundaries of Israel. The contrast between the overwhelming power of the Legion (representing earthly and spiritual oppression) and Jesus's effortless command powerfully affirms His unique divine power. Furthermore, the narrative reveals that demons, though fallen and evil, possess knowledge, strategy, and a collective will, as implied by their use of a unified name and their immediate recognition of Jesus.

Mark 5 9 Commentary

Mark 5:9 stands as a stark revelation of the extent of spiritual malevolence and the supreme authority of Jesus Christ. By demanding the name, Jesus does not seek information out of ignorance, but exercises His divine prerogative, compelling the demons to expose themselves. The chilling reply, "My name is Legion: for we are many," is a potent disclosure. The term "Legion," drawn from Roman military parlance for a unit of several thousand soldiers, vividly communicates not only an immense number of unclean spirits but also their organized, powerful, and oppressive nature. This declaration reveals that the man's suffering was due to a vast, concerted host of evil. Yet, remarkably, this formidable "Legion" of demons is shown to be utterly powerless and submissive before the singular, calm authority of Jesus, reduced to begging for permission to enter pigs. This dramatic confrontation forcefully asserts that Christ's authority transcends all earthly powers and every demonic force, illustrating His absolute sovereignty even over the most entrenched and numerous strongholds of evil. It serves as a powerful testament that no human situation, however extreme or seemingly insurmountable due to spiritual oppression, lies beyond the saving and liberating power of Jesus Christ.