Mark 5:15
And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔρχονται
they come
G2064
ἔρχονται
they come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 20
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεωροῦσιν
see
G2334
θεωροῦσιν
see
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
7 of 20
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δαιμονιζόμενον
him that was possessed with the devil
G1139
δαιμονιζόμενον
him that was possessed with the devil
Strong's:
G1139
Word #:
9 of 20
to be exercised by a daemon
καθήμενον
sitting
G2521
καθήμενον
sitting
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
10 of 20
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σωφρονοῦντα
in his right mind
G4993
σωφρονοῦντα
in his right mind
Strong's:
G4993
Word #:
14 of 20
to be of sound mind, i.e., sane, (figuratively) moderate
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐσχηκότα
and had
G2192
ἐσχηκότα
and had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
16 of 20
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λεγεῶνα·
the legion
G3003
λεγεῶνα·
the legion
Strong's:
G3003
Word #:
18 of 20
a "legion", i.e., roman regiment (figuratively)
Cross References
Colossians 1:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.Mark 5:9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.Luke 10:39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.Luke 8:27And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.1 Samuel 16:4And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?Psalms 14:5There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.Job 13:11Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?1 Chronicles 15:13For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.Mark 5:18And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Historical Context
The transformation's completeness authenticated exorcism. Ancient exorcisms, when successful, sometimes left victims disoriented or traumatized. Jesus' exorcisms produced complete, immediate wholeness. The man sitting peacefully 'at Jesus' feet' (Luke 8:35) indicates grateful discipleship posture. Clothing represents restored human dignity and social reintegration—naked madman becomes respectable community member. 'In his right mind' meant restored rationality, self-control, normal function. The townspeople's fear reveals uncomfortable truth: divine intervention disrupts comfortable status quo. Early church emphasized salvation's transforming power. Church history records countless dramatic conversions producing similar radical transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the man's complete transformation demonstrate salvation's comprehensive nature—spiritual, mental, social, physical?
- What does the townspeople's fear reveal about human resistance to divine intervention's disturbing power?
- How does your life evidence Christ's transforming power, and what areas still need His healing touch?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They found the formerly possessed man 'sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind'—complete transformation. 'Sitting' (καθήμενον) contrasts with previous violence and wandering. 'Clothed' (ἱματισμένον) contrasts with nakedness (Luke 8:27). 'In his right mind' (σωφρονοῦντα) contrasts with demonic insanity. The transformation is comprehensive: physically peaceful, socially restored (clothed), mentally sound. The phrase 'him that was possessed with the devil' (τὸν δαιμονιζόμενον) uses perfect participle indicating past state—he's no longer possessed. Their response: 'they were afraid' (ἐφοβήθησαν). Paradoxically, they feared healed sanity more than violent madness—divine power disturbed them more than demonic destruction.