128 In most of the stories of possession what is at issue is not merely sickness but a destruction and distortion of the divine likeness of man according to creation. Exercising authority in the land allocated to Abraham, for Israel, the land set aside for God and his people. It only takes a minute to sign up. In Galilee and Judea there were Messianic hopes which would have been quickly fanned into flames if the miracles of Jesus were too widely publicized. "The name "Gerasenes" is to be associated with the modern city of Jerash, located in Transjordan, 22 miles N of Amman." John McRay, "Gerasenes," ed. 115 While Mark and Luke describe only one demoniac, Matthew informs us that there were two. From this point on, Jesus began to speak to the crowds in parables in order to veil or conceal the gospel from those who had blasphemed the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:lff). ESV - A word of clarification is in order here for we must recognize that in this account the dark side of Satan is exposed, but this is perhaps the more unusual side of Satan. It is not difficult to imagine what was going through the minds of the disciples as their ship landed and as these two demon possessed men rushed to them. Romans 9:19-23). Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant. There probably were not many who had been told yet of the Messiah, and so were not yet believers. It indicates full and permanent control. The particular focus of this mans testimony was the Decapolis region. The story shows Jesus exorcising a demon or demons out of a man and into a herd of swine, causing the swine to run down a hill into a lake and drown . How to prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? Far from this, He had stormed the gates of Hell and prevailed. No matter who you are. August 2018 (2) Anti-social behavior. Hence there was demon-worship, the worship not necessarily of evil spirits; but of the spirits of those who had existed in the Golden Age. G. Campbell Morgan, The Gospel According to Mark (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1927), p. 114. March 2015 So much pain, so much sin. As has been said before, look for Satans man behind the pulpit. Horoscopes and astrological predictions are found in most major newspapers. Winthrop Congregational Church, UCC No matter who you are. 16, x. xvi. and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. (5) What our Lord could have given the people of this territory was much greater than what He took away. What purposes did Mark intend to achieve by the inclusion of this event? man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 'Return home and tell how much God has done for you.' So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus (Luke 8:26-39, NIV) especially fn. What did Jesus mean when he said only prayer can cast out this demon? September 2016 At their request, He left. Follow Up: struct sockaddr storage initialization by network format-string, How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner, Movie with vikings/warriors fighting an alien that looks like a wolf with tentacles. The exercising of authority over demons, in the land under another god, was a message. Will they be condemned like unclean animals? July 2020 It is ironic that while the demons didnt want to leave the country, the dwellers of that land didnt want the Messiah to stay. David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 991. Thus, all the circumstances lead us to regard the healing of the demonized at Gerasa as a night scene, immediately on Christs arrival from Capernaum, and after the calming of the storm at sea. Alford Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965), I, pp. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. July 2022 Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter the herd of pigs? The pig shepherds had gone and spread the news of what had happened all around. There seems to be no excuse here for the charge of contradiction. 124 Augustine: The devils were driven out and permitted to go into the swine; and Aquinas: But that the swine were driven into the sea was no work of the divine miracle, but was the work of the devils by divine permission. Quoted by Trench, Miracles, fn. Some illicitly use drugs, supposing that they have them completely under their control. Those possessed are depicted throughout as unfortunate sufferers who by no fault of their own are dominated by evil spirits and who, when the spirits are cast out by Jesus, accept their deliverance with joy and gratitude (Mark v. 18-20, Luke viii. Luke seems to base this fear solely upon what happened to the demoniac, not on the loss of their pigs. They were willing to post guards and chain and shackle their neighbor to keep him from hurting someone. John 8:32; Matthew 11:28-30), or to be the pawns of Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2). 22ff. 122 Quoted by Alfred Plummer, The Gospel According to Saint Luke, (Edinburg: T. and T. Clark, 5th ed., 1969): p. 228. Jesus was saying, (demonstrating) that He had all authority, in any land. Although God's word does not name which cities were considered part of this region, Pliny's Natural History (c. 77 A.D.) lists these cities as Gerasa, Scythopolis, Hippos, Gadara, Pella, Philadelphia, Capitolias (Dion), Canatha, Raphana and Damascus. In Jewish thinking, spirit beings were assigned to certain geographical territories.120. Jesus did say to count the cost [Luke 14:28-33]. Why as the question? Life with him would be heaven on earth. The drowning of the swine was an accident, possibly simultaneous with the healing, and report mixed up the two incidents. Another indication of demonic control is the fact that this man was continually doing harm to himself by gashing himself with stones (verse 5). The region was not poor or economically depressed. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. To date they have failed to respond in any way. Now they would deal with this One greater than he by doing likewise. Those demons were terrified of Him! and 1 Kings xxii. The most likely answer is to the country of the Gerasenes: i.e., Gerasa, a Greek town thought to be the same as the similarly-named Kersa on the east shore of Lake Tiberias. Mark 5:16 says the thoughts of the people were on the swine. SubscribeStart your Register subscription today. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Since the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave in their fear, it seems that Jesus' ability to exorcise Legion was disturbing to the people. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. Jesus asked a sick man if he wanted to get well. 36Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. The lectionary reading for Trinity 1, Year C, is Luke's version of Jesus meeting and healing the demon-possessed man in the 'region of the Gerasenes' (Luke 8.26-39). July 2017 March 2017 111 Edersheim maintains that it must have been late the same night of the storm: Most writers have, indeed, suggested, that the healing of the demonized on the other side took place at early dawn of the day following the storm on the lake. Why did the demon-possessed Gadarene bow down before Jesus? This would also give time afterwards for the dispersion, not only into the city, but into the country of them who had fed the swine. Until we decide on a new comic, you'll likely see a gray box where "Dilbert" had appeared. When the pigs were sent into the sea, the people of Gadara lost money. The subject of demons and demon possession has always seemed somewhat remote and academic to sophisticated 20th century Americans. 35Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. September 2018 All of us may be so concerned with our own livelihoods that we fail to serve other people and help those in desperat Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. The lesson of this passage is that Satan is a defeated foe. We owe it to Josephus, from whom it has passed into ecclesiastical language. It didnt take long for the word to spread quickly. Welcome to Biblical Hermeneutics! Bible-believing Christians have always accepted the fact of demons and their activity in New Testament times, but most of us are inclined to relegate demonic activity in these days to pagan lands and missionary experiences. It is now called Jerash and is a deserted ruin. 13; Luke iv. They had heard what had happened to the pigs and knew the Jews considered Gentiles unclean, too. Some today have given demons far more than their due by blaming demons for every malady of mankind. That is why the inhabitants of the area are referred to variously in different Bible manuscripts as Gergasenes, Gadarenes, or Gerasenes. Sermon for July 26, 2020: Why Were They So Afraid: Mark 5:1-20. One is that he was a fascinating man. November 2020 Smiths Bible Dictionary provides what I find to be a quite plausible explanation (not special pleading at all), and analogous to how we still use place names today: These three names are used indiscriminately to designate the place where Jesus healed two demoniacs. It's a curious passage with many unanswered questions. Nevertheless, for consideration. No! This incident in the Gerasenes requires some entry understanding. Therefore, Jesus Christ for demons is God and thus even demons inadvertently reveal themselves as being better theologians than Arians and their modern day heirs - Jehovawitnesians and all different breeds of Unitarians - their name being legion! As the servant of Elisha was told, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them (2 Kings 6:16). This was surely not so in every case, and perhaps in none. February 2021 The people were afraid when they saw the possessed man healed. Lets face it, we all like to be in control. I felt somewhat guilty, particularly fearing that I may have created an unintentional hardship for some classmate. Here is one of the few times that a miracle drove people away, rather than to draw them to Jesus. First of all, I believe Mark was attempting to warn his Gentile readers of the great danger of demonic influence and activity. In any event, I love defending the Bible and Christianity. to sign up for our free Water Of The Word newsletter at the top of any page! https://www.ncregister.com/blog/gerasene-or-gadarene-swine, What Archaeology Tells Us About Joshuas Conquest, 50 Verses to Help You Prepare for Pentecost, St. Polycarp, Who Learned the Faith From an Apostle, Did Not Believe in Faith Alone, The Three Kinds of Atheists, and How to Respond to Them, We Know That Hes in Heaven: Thousands Gather for Funeral of Bishop David OConnell in Los Angeles, Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Paprocki Speak Out in Support of Traditional Latin Massgoers in Their Dioceses, Survey: Decline in Vocations to the Priesthood Is Worse Where Priests Serve Larger Flocks, God Really Intervened: How a Catholic Priest Escaped From His Kidnappers in Haiti, Amber and Dave VanVickle on Finding God in the Midst of Suffering. The sons of god ended up becoming the gods of these nations. I will not ask him to leave. As C. S. Lewis aptly put it: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. xvii. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? Others cited unfaithfulness, lack of seriousness, and the lack of confidence to sustain a relationship. (it should be added that Plummer himelf does not hold to any of these views.). Christians are to be a "safe" people - an expression of that love of God so people who do not know Him can be drawn to the Truth. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. February 2022 By His power, we, too, are able to overcome Satans treacheries. And, Gerasene was one. Instead, they reject Him because all they know is His power and purity. As an alternative to confinement, the demons posed the option of being permitted to enter the pigs, some 2,000 in number, feeding nearby. In this context, however, he insists that legion has nothing of its usual Roman military overtones, but is the designation of numerous powers which oppose themselves to Jesus as the embodiment of the power of God. Lane, Mark, fn. It had nothing to do the farmers losing revenue - at all. Finally, there is in demon possession a counterpart to the filling (or control) of the Holy Spirit. In Mark 1:5 it is used of the land of Judaea (KJV) and in Acts 10:39, to land of the Jews (KJV). Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! January 2021 . In recent years the matter has been getting uncomfortably close to home. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Verse 1. In this story, we have a demon-possessed Gadarene who saw Jesus from a distance, and immediately he appeared to have felt a strong compulsion to run up to Jesus and bow down before him. 14. March 2020 Others are absolutely controlled (hooked) by the drug and totally dependent upon it. 17, pp. 14ff. in 1971. Have you even been in a service where the Spirit of God was moving and felt fear? There is the so-called demon of doubt, of anger, of overindulgence, of drunkenness, laziness and so on. No matter what men attempted to bind him with, he broke loose. There was no such danger in Perea, and thus the mercy of the Lord was to be heralded. They look forward to their future with great dread. The religious rulers hated Jesus for exposing their hypocrisy and feared the consequences His actions might have with Rome, but they were not afraid of Jesus as a Person. . Women, children and defenceless people all admired Him and felt comfortable in His presence. Having been properly warned of the demonic underworld, let us not fall into the opposite error of absolute paranoia. Why were the Romans afraid of the Christians? He was also humorous in his answers. NEW STAR WARS MERCH PAGE: https://bit.ly/3baWVZv For all sponsorship and business inquiries please contact: thestupendousscrub@gmail.com NEW CHANNEL: https:/. Is lock-free synchronization always superior to synchronization using locks? This was a region east of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. December 2017 Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus among them? The spectrum ranges from those who seem to control the demonic powers to those who are utterly controlled by them. 2ff., xvv. A friend of mine told me later that two students were attempting to cast a demon out of a fellow. Was it fear that a secret sin might be exposed? January 2016 where something similar occurs) is a demon-possession mentioned, and that outside the Gospels it is referred to only twice in the New Testament (Acts xvi. Author of The Gnostic Notebook series, stand-up comedian, and Gnostic. They found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12), whose leader and prince is Satan (Matthew 12:24). So he got into the boat and left. September 2021 June 2016 Not long after that, while I was still a student in seminary, there was a car parked by the seminary in a somewhat suspicious manner and I called the police to check it out. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. A Jewish exorcist with such authority in the region, risked to damage the beliefs and reputation of the local pagan inhabitants. Matt. xiii. Lane believes the modern Kersa is the most likely place: The point of arrival is indicated in a general way as the district of the Gerasenes, most probably in reference to a town whose name is preserved in the modern Kersa or Koursi. As Jesus began to get back into the boat, the delivered demoniac pleaded with Him that he might accompany Him. We read at Mk 5:14-17 (NRSVCE), the immediate after-effects of the driving out of evil spirits by Jesus at Gerasene by allowing them to enter pigs: The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. And, yes, Dana did just read us something about a man possessed by a whole bunch of demons that later go and possess a bunch of hogs. 4, p. 180. Evil is self-defeating in the end. How many demons possessed the man in Mark 5:6? Pigs were specifically set aside as the animal used in sacrifices to their god. Fear that you would not be in control? To understand this event, you need consider the incident at Babel, and Deuteronomy. Wikipedia states about it: In the second half of the 1st century AD, the city of Jerash achieved great prosperity.. and thank you for your contribution. I asked why people are afraid of commitment and relationships and some said they are afraid because they fear being hurt again. How to show that an expression of a finite type must be one of the finitely many possible values? Now they were delivered and ready to be productive members of society. I used to want the longest life, perfect health and happiness, but really it is that feeling that I am so glad that this isnt all there is and that we have heaven to wait for, and that well be with Jesus, and there will be no more tears Amber VanVickle (1982-2023), The headquarters of the charity, which serves as a consecrated family to 46 disabled children, were badly damaged in major flooding near Rio de Janeiro last year. They are unclean spirits, (vss. seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. This request was granted and the entire herd rushed headlong to their own destruction. What were the women in Mark 16:8 afraid of? January 2017 But notice, even though Jesus permitted them to enter the swine, they were unable to overcome their evil impulses and drove the swine over the cliff to their death. Although demon-possession after that time no longer occurs on such a devastating and noticeable scale, the absolute form of demon-possession will appear at the end of the age in the Antichrist and in his followers (2 Thess. That would be a strong message, by allowing them to be possessed and then drowned. Just as demons desire to possess persons through whom they can exhibit their personalities, so the Spirit of God indwells man, imparting new life, and progressively gaining control so that the character of God is exhibited, but not in such a way as to hinder our individuality and identity. . Jesus showed to the local population the inferiority of pagan life. Similar to the storm we see in the book of Job that killed Jobs sons - and Satan was the instigator of that as well. My office mate of several years back was interrupted by a young and very zealous new Christian teacher accompanied by a student from whom she wanted my friend to cast out a demon. This city was better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no city of Palestine was better known.. May 2020 Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? Even in our sophisticated times, there is an intense interest in the supernatural and the occult. EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, 18). They ask Him if they can enter some nearby pigs, and He lets them. When Jesus asked his name the man answered, Legion, for we are many (Mark 5:9). In fact the region was known as the Gadarenes-Gerasenes region. April 2017 34When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Those who had seen it told them how the man who had been demon-possessed had been healed. Gadara, though not directly named in Scripture, was part of the Decapolis. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. "Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear." (Luke 8:37a) Fear plagues us. The healing of the demoniacs and the repulse of the Healer by the inhabitants are historical, but the incident of the swine is a later figment. This suggests that whoever was the customer for the swineherder in the "region of the Gerasenes", it was not the Roman army to any significant extent. The New Testament speaks of those who had a spirit, or a demon, or demons, or an unclean spirit, or the spirit of an unclean demon, but chiefly of persons who were demonised. Edersheim, Life and Times, I, p. 479. 40, vii. Some of the proposed answers to this question are totally unacceptable to an orthodox, evangelical Christian.123 By way of explanation, there are several factors which should be given serious consideration. He pleaded with Jesus not to be tormented. Have we stepped back, in effect asking Jesus to leave us alone, only to discover, as a Gentleman, He did? (3) Spiritual insight. xii. If it is a feminine spirit, the voice will be a feminine one, if masculine then very manly. December 2014 It is very appropriate that these two incidents . Then the Livestock Association and consumer groups would have been greatly distressed over the sudden decrease in the pig population and the resulting impact on pork prices. February 2015 The district of the Gerasenes probably included that of the Gadarenes; so that the demoniac of Gergesa belonged to the country of the Gadarenes and also to that of the Gerasenes, as the same person may, with equal truth, be said to live in the city or the state, or in the United States. This story is a little bit of an Easter story. Bill Maher says he's scared of former President Trump "on a very personal level" and "what he would do" to the comedian if he were to win the 2024 White House race. And the people there were scared, they recognised this, but more, they realised the significance of this. It was scary. At first we may deceive ourselves into thinking that we are controlling them, but the ultimate likelihood is that they will master us. Although it is likely that the larger towns of Galilee were predominantly Gentile, as was the Decapolis, the first-century civilian diet did not . There is no conflict, however, for Mark and Luke have apparently focused their attention on the most striking of the two. It is a violent tempest, that is, outside of the natural. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Lukes reading Gergesenes may represent even more accurately the ancient name of this place, as Origen knew of a Gergesa on the lake of Galilee. Why is this even an issue, I wonder? "And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them, for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into a bo." He obviously attracted crowds. Matthew 8:4; Luke 8:56). The reference could hardly be to the better known Gerasa (Jerash) between thirty and forty miles southeast from the lake. 3); they are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day (Jude 6); and what the unclean spirits deprecate here, is the bringing in, by anticipation, of that final doom. R. C. Trench, Notes on the Miracles of Our Lord (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1949), p. 100. Jesus had freed the man and for a reason known only to Himself, He had granted the demons request to go into a nearby herd of pigs rather than go into the Abyss [bottomless pit]. Was there some sort of unwritten rule that Darrow (or any non-Bellona) was supposed to throw the fight? 23, 24, viii. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Although the Gospels give us little information as to how individuals become targets of Satanic control, I would suggest for your consideration that they sometimes do so by leaving themselves open to Satanic influence. "The Gerasenes were the people of the district of which Gerasa was the capital. The city of Gadara and its surrounding area are referred to as the Gadarenes. But the distance is so short that, even making allowance for the delay by the tempest, the passage could scarcely have occupied the whole night. The pleas of Legion were in response to the command of Jesus for the demons to come out of him (verse 8). Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Why did Jesus have the authority to forgive sins, why did the scribes take it as a blasphemy, and was this authority also given to men in general? e.g., Matt. If an Israelite, why was he in Gerasene in the first place and why was he living so near a large herd of swine? Vote Up Whenever a man, woman, or child surrenders control of himself either to fleshly desires (anger, lust, passion, etc.) Why would God tell King David to take a census of the people in verses one through nine, and then cast judgment on him because he did what he told him to do? The country of the Gadarenes (Gergesenes) is one of the few areas Jesus visited where Gentiles (non-Jews) composed the majority of the population. These people from the region of the Gerasenes had undoubtedly felt the anger or disgust of Jews for making a career out of such unclean animals, but Jesus had not criticized them for their profession. November 2014. Luke 8:37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them: for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. February 2018 The whole story is a myth. The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese, Is there a solutiuon to add special characters from software and how to do it. How much more sinful than Peter were the Geraseneans, who because of love of money did not shun even to engage in a non-Jew business of herding swine; how much more unbearable and dreadful must have been for them the Lords presence! It hit them hard in the pocketbook. Yet, conversely, the known can be just as scaryif not more. Why is that. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. May 2015 Lets learn why. As He had landed with His disciples He had been confronted with a demon-possessed man - a man that no one had been able to control. May the Spirit of God be so evident in us that men may see God in our lives. Wasn't the answer obvious?
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