Daily Devotions
Mark
1 Peter 4:7 "But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."
Day 111 – Mark 5
CLEARING UP ANY CONFUSION
A careful study of the text would clear up any confusion that may have arisen.
1. How many were possessed?
a) Matthew mentioned two men (Cf. Matthew 8:28)
b) Mark and Luke only mentioned one man (Cf. Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)
There is no conflict whatsoever. Matthew was not incorrect in mentioning that two men were possessed. Why did Mark and Luke only mention one person? The reason could well be that the person mentioned in their Gospels, was most likely the one who suffered most severely, and hence the focus was on him.
2. Who spoke to Jesus?
a) The man knelt and prostrated himself before Jesus (Cf. Mark 5:6)
Mark did not represent him as having said anything to Jesus. However, his prostration before Jesus said all that was needed to be uttered! He wanted to worship Jesus as his Lord, and not the demons.
b) There seemed to have been one demon who represented the rest
In this light, we are able to make better sense of the words spoken to Jesus.
“What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High…
My name is Legion; for we are many.”
MARK 5:7-9
3. Did the other demons voice their opinion?
Yes, when they appealed to Jesus to send them into the herd of swine.
“So all the demons begged Him, saying,
‘Send us into the swine, that we may enter them.'”
MARK 5:12
4. How did the demons communicate with Jesus?
Obviously, they used the vocal chords of their victim to communicate with Jesus!
a) They had not vacated the body of their victim yet.
b) They still held on to the man they had possessed till the last possible moment.
c) They did not communicate with Jesus “as equals”.
They were terrified of the power and authority Jesus obviously wielded!