Mark 5:6-10
Mark 5:6 (KJB)
But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Then when Jesus disembarked from the ship, the man whom the devils possessed had
spotted Him from a distance, ran to Him and began to worship Him. The devils did
not do this out of adoration, but they did it because they knew who He was since
they were with Christ in Heaven before they took sides with Satan in his
rebellion. Maybe the man himself had initiated the run to Jesus since the devils
would have no power in the presence of Jesus and maybe here was deliverance from
this life of torment.
Mark 5:7 (KJB)
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.
Here the devils, through the voice of the man, had cried out with a loud voice
what did they have to do with Jesus who they knew was the Son of the most high
God? They were now frightened because they were standing in front of the judge
who was going to eventually sentence them to hell for eternity because of their
rebellion with Satan. (Mat 25:41 KJV) Then shall he say also unto them on
the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for
the devil and his angels: They knew that there was coming a judgment day
and they were fearful that this was that day. They were well aware that they
would be tormented for eternity. (Rev 20:10 KJV) And the devil that deceived
them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false
prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. These
devils hated God and showed it by their rebellion and now they are asking Jesus
to swear by God that He will not torment them. This shows the craftiness of the
kingdom of darkness, that they will even use the name of God to get their way,
if possible.
Mark 5:8 (KJB)
For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Then Jesus commands the devils to come out of the man and calls them exactly
what they are, “unclean spirits.” “Come out” is in the Imperative Mood in the
Greek making it a command. Normally, when Jesus commands the devils, they
immediately obeyed His command but in this situation, there seems to be a
permitted delay in obedience.
Mark 5:9 (KJB)
And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion:
for we are many.
Then Jesus asks him a question which was going to reveal the extent to which
this man was possessed. It was not for the benefit of Jesus because He would
have known it already but it would be for the benefit of His disciples and those
around who were watching. Jesus asks the name of the devil which was possessing
the man. The devil had responded that his name was Legion. The term “legion” was
a term which came from the Roman Army and signified a company of about 6,000
soldiers. Now this term had come to mean something that was many and not
necessarily 6,000. This man could have had 6,000 devils possessing him or a
smaller number but nevertheless, Jesus wanted this to be made public. Out of
this great company of devils, it seemed only one had done the talking, the
others had remained quiet in the presence of Jesus.
Mark 5:10 (KJB)
And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
The devils probably had in their mind that Jesus was now going to sentence them
to eternal damnation and that is why they requested that they not be sent away
out of the country. It may also be that the devils prefer to inhabit places
which are desolate and uncivilized, so the tombs would have been the place where
they desired to stay and they hoped Jesus would grant it.