To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost? As these people began to piece together the previous events, not only of the destruction of the pigs, but also the deliverance of Legion, they began to sense that there was One far more awesome, much more to be feared, than Legion. Lukes reading Gergesenes may represent even more accurately the ancient name of this place, as Origen knew of a Gergesa on the lake of Galilee. October 2015 Horoscopes and astrological predictions are found in most major newspapers. Clarify May 2020 Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Fear that you might do something that would embarrass you? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. It only takes a minute to sign up. But notice, even though Jesus permitted them to enter the swine, they were unable to overcome their evil impulses and drove the swine over the cliff to their death. Christians are to be the answer, but often they are part of the problem. They likely were Gentiles and had been under the influence of the demonic principality of the region their whole life. 122 Quoted by Alfred Plummer, The Gospel According to Saint Luke, (Edinburg: T. and T. Clark, 5th ed., 1969): p. 228. The New Testament speaks of those who had a spirit, or a demon, or demons, or an unclean spirit, or the spirit of an unclean demon, but chiefly of persons who were demonised. Edersheim, Life and Times, I, p. 479. Pigs were seen as unclean animals in the eyes of the people of Israel. seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. July 2016 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. He who feared His arrival now dreaded His departure. Then any greatest of men, like any prophet, hero or king? February 2022 I am wondering if the demoniac was pagan or an Israelite. Until we decide on a new comic, you'll likely see a gray box where "Dilbert" had appeared. What were the women in Mark 16:8 afraid of? May 2021 Yet, conversely, the known can be just as scaryif not more. He brought up the story of Jesus casting out demons and sending them into pigs, which promptly ran over a cliff into the sea. December 2015 Preisker, TWNT IV (1942), pp. But for most of us, the world and the flesh are all that are necessary to cause us to stumble. A land that was essentially under another god (lower case g). The drowning of these pigs has caused a great deal of discussion amongst Bible students, for as a friend of mine once observed, Thats a lot of pork chops! Had our Lord achieved such a miracle today He would have been in deep trouble. That is why the inhabitants of the area are referred to variously in different Bible manuscripts as Gergasenes, Gadarenes, or Gerasenes. It was greatly influenced by Greek culture.126. No matter who you are. Satans most useful instrument is the outstanding, outwardly moral and upright religious man, whose good deeds are done independently of God. July 2021 The choice is to be free by submission to Christ (cf. First let us see what the Sacred Texts says: The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. He obviously attracted crowds. Thus, it is not always used of one specific country (nation), but rather, usually to regions or areas of either small (Bethlehem) or large (Judaea and Samaria) size, including regions surrounding large cities. Jesus is conscious that He now breaks the power of the devil and his angels because He is the One in whom the dominion of God is present on behalf of humanity. W. Foerster, as quoted by Lane, Mark, fn. What they were not willing to accept was the frightening power that could cure him. It is not difficult to imagine what was going through the minds of the disciples as their ship landed and as these two demon possessed men rushed to them. Some illicitly use drugs, supposing that they have them completely under their control. in 1971. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. They became as afraid of Jesus as the demons were. Although the manifestations of demonization vary widely, this man115 evidenced several of the classic symptoms. He also maintains a popular Facebook page. Why would the Gerasene people beg Jesus to leave their region after He cast the demons into the pigs? Finally, there is in demon possession a counterpart to the filling (or control) of the Holy Spirit. In any event, they were not Israelites, as indicated by the fact that a herd of swine was being kept nearby, which would have been forbidden by the Mosaic Law, since swine were unclean animals (Leviticus 11:7-8). They ask Him if they can enter some nearby pigs, and He lets them. Paul tells us that our struggle is, at bottom, a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12). NET Bible Then all the people of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Jesus to leave them alone, for they were seized with great fear. In any event, I love defending the Bible and Christianity. The people were gentiles who had not yet any interest in the Messiah. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. And the people went out to see what happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. May 2018 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. They were willing to post guards and chain and shackle their neighbor to keep him from hurting someone. But, the pigs were a part of their economic wealth. F. F. Bruce adds additional helpful insight: According to the best texts, Matthew calls it the country of the Gadarenes (viii. This was a federation of ten cities (deka = ten, polis = city). February 2018 The scene which Mark presents is deliberately dark. Significantly, the demons are called unclean spirits (verse 2,9). The confrontation between the powers of heaven and hell are nowhere seen in better perspective than in Marks account of the encounter of the Gerasene demoniac with our Lord Jesus Christ. 113 According to the Talmud there were four characteristics of madness: walking abroad at night; spending the night on a grave; tearing ones clothes and destroying what one was given. Then the Livestock Association and consumer groups would have been greatly distressed over the sudden decrease in the pig population and the resulting impact on pork prices. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. or by some form of self-emptying (such as various forms of eastern meditation) in my opinion, they are in a precarious position. Although Gadarenes and Gergesenes are derived from a different Greek word, they are essentially referring to the same area. That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. 7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, b he entered Capernaum. Why did Jesus allow the legion of demons to stay in the area when they begged him? Dave Armstrong Dave Armstrong is a full-time Catholic author and apologist, who has been actively proclaiming and defending Christianity since 1981. The whole story is a myth. Whenever a man, woman, or child surrenders control of himself either to fleshly desires (anger, lust, passion, etc.) August 2021 606-607. So he got into the boat and left. The center of personality, the volitional and active ego, is impaired by alien powers which seek to ruin the man and sometimes drive him to self-destruction (Mk. Jude 6), no longer to afflict men or resist God. December 2016 We see people in other places where he worked miracles, endeavoring to make him their king (Jn 6:15) . August 2018 7. Oh Hye-son recently published a Korean-language memoir on how she and her husband Thae Yong-ho, then deputy ambassador at North Korea's London embassy, defected in 2016. Second, while the death of the pigs is clearly an economic loss for the owner, Jesus is illustrating the infinite value of human life. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. But about a mile further south there is a fairly steep slope within forty yards from the shore, and about two miles from there cavern tombs are found which appear to have been used for dwellings. William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), p.181. As we pass from this section to the next, let us not end on the note of the death of the pigs, but on the deliverance of the demoniac. How ironic, as others have noted, that the tormentor pleads not to be tormented. Bible-believing Christians have always accepted the fact of demons and their activity in New Testament times, but most of us are inclined to relegate demonic activity in these days to pagan lands and missionary experiences. This request was granted and the entire herd rushed headlong to their own destruction. The reference could hardly be to the better known Gerasa (Jerash) between thirty and forty miles southeast from the lake. While he was once wild and uncontrollable, he was sitting quietly at the feet of Jesus. Once naked, he is now clothed. This is probably the Gerasa of Mark and Luke. The best human analogy might be in the area of drug abuse. How do I connect these two faces together? The exercising of authority over demons, in the land under another god, was a message. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. . The man looked out on the Tiberius. This city was better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no city of Palestine was better known. They had dealt with Legion (I suspect) by forcing him from their presence. The US Congress is currently debating whether TikTok should be banned for everyone in the US, not just government officials. No! Textual variations have compounded the problem. Then all the people of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Jesus to leave them alone, for they were seized . February 2017 Although his symptoms would have appeared to be those of an insane man,113 the Gospel writers inform us that he was demon-possessed.114. in a crowd in a crowd where many people were bumping into Him? David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 991. Even as the purpose of Roman legions was to enforce the will of the emperor, the goal of the multiple evil spirits was to carry out the devil's will of bringing pain, destruction and chaos to humans! Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Jesus showed to the local population the inferiority of pagan life. Paul says of the former life of the Christian, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 1:1-2). We should be warned that fooling with these Satanic fronts is like experimenting with drugs. Our children would probably understand best if I said that his appearance must have been somewhat like that of the television creation, The Incredible Hulk. 9. Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus? Lets learn why. The commission of our Lord is considerably different from His instructions to the Israelites whom He had delivered. We are seeking a replacement and hope to have it in your newspaper soon. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. and our Although it is likely that the larger towns of Galilee were predominantly Gentile, as was the Decapolis, the first-century civilian diet did not . Bill Maher says he's scared of former President Trump "on a very personal level" and "what he would do" to the comedian if he were to win the 2024 White House race. When Jesus asked the demoniac his name, it was not without significance for He was, I believe, asking the demons to reveal their identity. How much more sinful than Peter were the Geraseneans, who because of love of money did not shun even to engage in a non-Jew business of herding swine; how much more unbearable and dreadful must have been for them the Lords presence! 117 so that, by their own confession, a time is coming when there shall be an entire victory of the kingdom of light over that of darkness (Rev. As has been said before, look for Satans man behind the pulpit. So they refer to Gerasenes. In Mark 1:5 it is used of the land of Judaea (KJV) and in Acts 10:39, to land of the Jews (KJV). iv. Men and women (as well as children) were demonized in that they fell under the influence of these unclean spirits. I was in a dialogue with an atheist regarding what he believes is one of many so-called biblical contradictions. Odd guy that I am, I actually find this sort of thing fun. This incident in the Gerasenes requires some entry understanding. When addressed, the person was the mouthpiece of the demon (such as Legion, Mark 5:9). Even in our sophisticated times, there is an intense interest in the supernatural and the occult. As the world's top superpower, how unsure of itself can the US be to . The entrance of the term into colloquial speech indicates that the Roman occupation was a heavy burden. Its important to note that this was the first demonstration of Jesuss authority outside of Canaan. Confusion, fear in moments after crash "There were many big pieces of steel," said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene. Satans most effective tool is not the demoniac wandering about the desolate places. The before and after descriptions of the demoniac reveal that he was a totally different person under demonic influence. Exercising authority in the land allocated to Abraham, for Israel, the land set aside for God and his people. Luke 8:26And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. Why as the question? But here we speak not about a bishop, but about Christ who made His Godhead revealed through devils beseeching Him not to cast them to hell but enter the swine. recognizes the military background of the term, pointing out that in the imperial period a legion consisted of 6000 foot soldiers, 120 horsemen and technical personnel. 4. (2) Pork was a food forbidden to Jews, and as such, those who raised these pigs may have done so knowingly in violation of divine injunction. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. 1, pp. It is noteworthy that Jesus nowhere speaks of forgiveness of sins or of purification-sacrifices, that have to be brought after His curing of such cases (as He did in some cases of physical illness). As the servant of Elisha was told, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them (2 Kings 6:16). 125 This is the position of Lane, Mark, p. 187. When the Gadarenes saw what Christ was capable of, they panicked. man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 'Return home and tell how much God has done for you.' So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus (Luke 8:26-39, NIV) The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. He shivered at the disturbing memory. Gergesa, also Gergasa ( in Byzantine greek) or the Country of the Gergesenes, is a place on the eastern ( Golan Heights) side of the Sea of Galilee located at some distance to the ancient Decapolis cities of Gadara and Gerasa. Once a menace to society, now a messenger with words of deliverance and healing. (6) Tendency towards self-destruction. Jewish theology, at least on this point, seems consistent with biblical revelation. How to prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? The man, who was naked when he saw Jesus, had the added ability of enduring both freezing and sweltering temperatures as well as pain he inflicted upon himself! Mark 5:16 says the thoughts of the people were on the swine. Crazy question or.? COMMENTARY: Atheism is generally the expression of a moral attitude more than a real intellectual conviction based on evidence thought through. Was it fear that a secret sin might be exposed? Perhaps they clenched their fists or picked up driftwood with which to defend themselves. Other demoniacs described in Scripture were bent on self-destruction as well (cf. . In Acts 8:1 we have the regions of Judaea and Samaria (KJV), and in Acts 16:6, Galatia alone. But from all of the Gospel accounts, I get the distinct impression that this mans eyes were riveted on Jesus. Who do you care more about, people or pigs? As C. S. Lewis aptly put it: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They liked Him and wanted to be with Him. (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26) In Gerasenes in place of Gadarenes. Many New Testament manuscripts refer to the "Country of the Gadarenes" or "Gerasenes" rather than the Gergesenes. In this context, however, he insists that legion has nothing of its usual Roman military overtones, but is the designation of numerous powers which oppose themselves to Jesus as the embodiment of the power of God. Lane, Mark, fn. I used to want the longest life, perfect health and happiness, but really it is that feeling that I am so glad that this isnt all there is and that we have heaven to wait for, and that well be with Jesus, and there will be no more tears Amber VanVickle (1982-2023), The headquarters of the charity, which serves as a consecrated family to 46 disabled children, were badly damaged in major flooding near Rio de Janeiro last year. "I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level because I don't think he likes me. Gergesa may have been a variant spelling of Gerasa. Ralph Earle, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1957), p. 70. Therefore, Jesus Christ for demons is God and thus even demons inadvertently reveal themselves as being better theologians than Arians and their modern day heirs - Jehovawitnesians and all different breeds of Unitarians - their name being legion! 2,8) who can possess men and animals. 13ff.). Gergesenes means "those who come from pilgrimage or fight.". Wikipedia states about it: In the second half of the 1st century AD, the city of Jerash achieved great prosperity.. The man, who was naked when he saw Jesus, had the added ability of enduring both freezing and sweltering temperatures as well as pain he inflicted upon himself! We read at Mk 5:14-17 (NRSVCE), the immediate after-effects of the driving out of evil spirits by Jesus at Gerasene by allowing them to enter pigs: The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. In addition, Matthew includes the comment, Have You come here to torment us before the time? (Matthew 8:29). November 2016 Demons are highly organized (cf. Our Lord responded sternly by calling this accusation blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and as such was the one unpardonable sin (verses 28-30). Mark 3:14). As He had landed with His disciples He had been confronted with a demon-possessed man - a man that no one had been able to control. It is very appropriate that these two incidents . Brazilian Charity Caring for Children Who Survived Abortions Issues Urgent Appeal, Memento Mori: Remember You Are Going to Die, The Meat of the Matter: St. Patricks Day and the Lenten Fast. Unfortunately, Christians [or those using the name] can be harsh, condemning and critical driving people further into sin and away from God. where something similar occurs) is a demon-possession mentioned, and that outside the Gospels it is referred to only twice in the New Testament (Acts xvi. EIN 27-4581132 They were not looked upon as necessarily evil in all cases. Gadara, though not directly named in Scripture, was part of the Decapolis. Vote Up It is Geldenhuys who gives us the most concise description of demon-possession: in the New Testament demon-possession means that a person is dominated by the spirit of a demon and tormented by him. In that case, of course, it would be in the early morning that the Gerasenes afterwards resorted to Jesus and that He again returned to Capernaum. It didnt take long for the word to spread quickly. Sometime after the Lord Jesus miraculously calmed the storm, the ship landed, perhaps late in the evening,111 on the other side of the lake in the country of the Gerasenes.112 If, indeed, it was late at night, the scene must have been an eerie one, with the nerves of the disciples already worn thin by the terrifying experience of the storm. When the townspeople arrived on the scene, they saw the formerly demon-possessed men, clothed, in their right mind and sitting at the feet of Jesus. 1) He Exposes Evil (v 28-30) . January 2021 Then people came to see what it was that had happened. It hit them hard in the pocketbook. The Lord, in an act of great mercy, freed the Gadarenes' man by casting the demons out of him and allowing them to enter a nearby herd of pigs. Top Ten Reasons Why There Were Pigs In Gerasenes Remember the story of Jesus casting demons out of the crazy man in Luke 8? 15; Mark ix. I think all these attempts to harmonize what may at first seem like a contradiction are plausible, respectable, and adequate. Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. 118 H. June 2020 Both Gerasa and Gadara were cities to the east of the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan. At first we may deceive ourselves into thinking that we are controlling them, but the ultimate likelihood is that they will master us. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Today, it is identified with El-Koursi or Kursi. So who was afraid? 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. Such an entreaty can be addressed by them to only God. May the Spirit of God be so evident in us that men may see God in our lives. All of us may be so concerned with our own livelihoods that we fail to serve other people and help those in desperat Understand the meaning of Luke 8:37 using all available Bible versions and commentary. The demoniac further evidenced demon activity by the depth of his spiritual insight. September 2015 When you get a chance, please take the, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. April 2020 In the form of tongues as of fire, the Holy Spirit rests on the disciples on the morning of Pentecost and fills them with himself. (CCC 696). When our Lord confronted the demons, they had to submit to His power and authority. 5. It indicates full and permanent control. Some of the proposed answers to this question are totally unacceptable to an orthodox, evangelical Christian.123 By way of explanation, there are several factors which should be given serious consideration. To date they have failed to respond in any way. The second question is an ethical one: What right had the Lord to inflict this loss on the owners of the swine?121 Put even more crassly, Huxley censored this act with these words: the wanton destruction of other peoples property is a misdemeanour of evil example.122. 3); they are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day (Jude 6); and what the unclean spirits deprecate here, is the bringing in, by anticipation, of that final doom. R. C. Trench, Notes on the Miracles of Our Lord (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1949), p. 100. If it is a feminine spirit, the voice will be a feminine one, if masculine then very manly. The Politics of Luke 8:26-39. or school. e.g., Matt. If they dare to open up their lives to Jesus what will happen? Ananias and Sapphira did so by allowing their greed to grip their hearts (cf. He pleaded with Jesus not to be tormented. December 2021 Who was afraid of Jesus and why? Rev. Early Christians like St. Polycarp clearly held the Catholic view on salvation. They had heard what had happened to the pigs and knew the Jews considered Gentiles unclean, too. The Lord refused this request and commissioned this delivered man to return to his own people and declare to them what God had done for him. Another reason could be as Dr. R.C. and 1 Kings xxii. Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant. Nor was it the Jewish population of Galilee. One is that he was a fascinating man. In the King James Version it is called the country of the Gadarenes in Mark and Luke, and of the Gergesenes in Matthew. Sproul says in his commentary on Mark, When the Holy One is manifest in the midst of unholy people, the only appropriate human response is dread.. 14). For some people, the cost is too high. Note: 'had the legion', i.e., the many unclean spirits inhabiting him. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. Holy Communion From the Chalice Reintroduced in the UK: What About the US? January 2023 when He was the only One Who truly knew what had happened. Ridiculous? Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1951), p. 174. Ouija boards are found in many American homes. The demoniacs were mere maniacs, whom Jesus cured by humouring their fancies; and His giving leave to imaginary demons to enter into the swine, produced the story of the disaster to the herd.All these explanations assume that the Gospel narratives are wholly or in part unhistorical. Plummer, Luke, p. 228. Another reason they may have been afraid of Jesus was the realization that if they accepted Him, it would mean a radical change of lifestyle. Events that are important to our Church Community, Mark 5:1-20 Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac. Satan loves those Christians. Some today have given demons far more than their due by blaming demons for every malady of mankind. Their influence and control leads to untold agony and destruction. Now they were delivered and ready to be productive members of society. I understand why," the HBO "Real Time" host told Jake Tapper on Tuesday as part . The swine then immediately killed themselves by rushing off a cliff. This city was better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no city of Palestine was better known.. Evil is self-defeating in the end. (2) Anti-social behavior. Instead, they reject Him because all they know is His power and purity. "The name "Gerasenes" is to be associated with the modern city of Jerash, located in Transjordan, 22 miles N of Amman." John McRay, "Gerasenes," ed. The expression to be with Jesus is used particularly of His disciples (cf. (3) Our Lord was moved with compassion by the torment of Legion and the loss of these pigs should in no way dim our view of the deliverance of the demoniac. Jesus had just performed an incredible miracleand one they desperately needed, at that! A Jewish exorcist with such authority in the region, risked to damage the beliefs and reputation of the local pagan inhabitants. A word of clarification is in order here for we must recognize that in this account the dark side of Satan is exposed, but this is perhaps the more unusual side of Satan. The pigs had been driven mad and rushed down a steep slope plunging into the lake and drowning. They greatly desire to enter and control a physical body, whereby they may reflect their character and attributes. When the pigs were sent into the sea, the people of Gadara lost money. The spread of cholera was linked to the movements of . Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Matt. The entire population of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them because they were seized with great fear. The ego is so impaired that the spirits speak through him. 23, 24, viii. This supposition would be further confirmed, if the evening when Jesus embarked was what the Jews were wont to call the first evening, that is, the time when the sun was declining in the heaven, but before it had actually set, the latter time being the second evening. For it seems most unlikely that multitudes would have resorted to Jesus at Capernaum after the second evening, or that either the disciples or other boats would have put to sea after nightfall. Thayers Greek Lexicon defines it as the space lying between two places or limits region or country. The Sea of Galilee was clearly one of the limits. April 2021 "And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them, for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into a bo." Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. HELPING CHRISTIANS BUILD POSITIVE, GODLY FAMILIES, CHURCHES, AND NATIONS, Follow us on social media for daily Scripture comments and more at.
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