Mark 5:7
And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κράξας
cried
G2896
κράξας
cried
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
φωνῇ
voice
G5456
φωνῇ
voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
3 of 22
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
μεγάλῃ
with a loud
G3173
μεγάλῃ
with a loud
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
4 of 22
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
6 of 22
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
10 of 22
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
υἱὲ
thou Son
G5207
υἱὲ
thou Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
11 of 22
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεόν
God
G2316
θεόν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
13 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑψίστου
of the most high
G5310
ὑψίστου
of the most high
Strong's:
G5310
Word #:
15 of 22
highest, i.e., (masculine singular) the supreme (god), or (neuter plural) the heavens
ὁρκίζω
I adjure
G3726
ὁρκίζω
I adjure
Strong's:
G3726
Word #:
16 of 22
to put on oath, i.e., make swear; by analogy, to solemnly enjoin
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεόν
God
G2316
θεόν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
19 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Matthew 8:29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?Acts 16:17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.Matthew 26:63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.Jude 1:6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.Revelation 12:12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.Acts 19:13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.Mark 3:11And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.Matthew 4:3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.Luke 8:28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.2 Peter 2:4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Historical Context
The title 'Most High God' (θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου) was common in Gentile regions for Israel's God, familiar even to pagans (Genesis 14:18-20; Numbers 24:16; Daniel 4:2). The demon's appeal demonstrates knowledge of divine authority. Jewish apocalyptic literature described demons' ultimate doom (1 Enoch). The request not to torment 'before the time' (Matthew 8:29) shows awareness of appointed judgment day. Demons understand eschatology better than many humans—they know Christ returns to judge and consign them to eternal punishment. Early church taught this; church history affirms it.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the demon's accurate theology without faith warn against mere intellectual knowledge?
- What does demonic fear of future torment teach about certain judgment for all who reject Christ?
- How should knowing demons fear Jesus affect your confidence in His lordship and coming victory?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The demon speaks through the man: 'What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.' The phrase 'What have I to do with thee?' (Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί) expresses hostile separation—'What connection between us?' The title 'Son of the most high God' is theologically accurate, identifying Jesus' deity. 'I adjure thee by God' shows desperation—appealing to God against God's Son! The request 'torment me not' (μή με βασανίσῃς) reveals demons know their destiny is torment. They recognize Jesus as judge who will execute final judgment.