Mark 5:17
And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Jesus' miracle threatened the region's economic foundation. Pig farming was lucrative in Gentile territories where Jewish dietary laws didn't apply. The herdsmen and pig owners faced substantial financial loss, creating community-wide anxiety about Jesus' continued presence. Would He disrupt more industries? Challenge more practices? First-century economic systems were less diversified than modern economies—losing one industry could devastate a region. The townspeople faced a choice: economic stability or spiritual transformation. Their choice to prioritize economics echoes throughout history—Ephesian silversmiths rioted when Paul's preaching threatened their idol-making business (Acts 19:23-28). Early church fathers noted the irony: these Gentiles rejected Jesus while He would eventually be embraced by Gentiles worldwide. Jesus respected their free will, departing when explicitly rejected, though leaving the healed demoniac as ongoing witness.
Questions for Reflection
- What economic interests, comfortable patterns, or familiar systems might you be protecting that prevent full surrender to Christ's lordship?
- How does the Gadarenes' rejection of Jesus despite witnessing His power warn against prioritizing temporal security over eternal transformation?
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Analysis & Commentary
And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. This shocking response reveals the tragedy of valuing temporal comfort above eternal salvation. 'They began to pray him' (ἤρξαντο παρακαλεῖν αὐτόν, ērxanto parakalein auton) uses the same verb (parakalein) employed for earnest pleading—the same intensity used by those seeking healing. Yet here it expresses the opposite desire: 'depart out of their coasts' (ἀπελθεῖν ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν, apelthein apo tōn horiōn autōn)—leave our region.
Why would people who witnessed supernatural deliverance reject the Deliverer? Fear of further economic disruption, unwillingness to acknowledge Jesus' authority, or preference for familiar bondage over costly discipleship. This mirrors those who prefer comfortable slavery to demanding freedom (Exodus 14:11-12). The Gadarenes valued their pigs and predictable lifestyle above the Prince of Peace. Their rejection fulfilled Jesus' teaching that 'the gate is narrow and few find it' (Matthew 7:14). Reformed theology emphasizes that regeneration is necessary for willing response to Christ—natural man resists divine authority and prefers autonomy to submission. This passage warns against rejecting Christ when He disrupts comfortable sin patterns.