Although God's word does not name which cities were considered part of this region, Pliny's Natural History (c. 77 A.D.) lists these cities as Gerasa, Scythopolis, Hippos, Gadara, Pella, Philadelphia, Capitolias (Dion), Canatha, Raphana and Damascus. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. We should be warned that fooling with these Satanic fronts is like experimenting with drugs. It hit them hard in the pocketbook. The people were afraid when they saw the possessed man healed. xiii. In Acts 8:1 we have the regions of Judaea and Samaria (KJV), and in Acts 16:6, Galatia alone. On the other hand, the scene gains in grandeurhas, so to speak, a fitting backgroundif we suppose the Saviour and His disciples to have landed on the other side late in the evening, when perhaps the silvery moon was shedding her pale light on the weird scene, and laying her halo around the shadows cast upon the sea by the steep cliff down which the herd of swine hurried and fell. 40, vii. I think all these attempts to harmonize what may at first seem like a contradiction are plausible, respectable, and adequate. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 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) 110 C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1971), p. 3. 116 As Lane observes this title Son of the Most High God, is not a messianic designation but a divine one. Lane, Mark, p. 133, cf. (2) Anti-social behavior. 115 While Mark and Luke describe only one demoniac, Matthew informs us that there were two. It's a curious passage with many unanswered questions. Fallen people reject God not because they do not know His power. Jesus had been performing miracles in Gods nation - Israel. 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. 2ff., xvv. Jesus asked Mary why she was crying at the grave site. Today, it is identified with El-Koursi or Kursi. If it is a feminine spirit, the voice will be a feminine one, if masculine then very manly. Jesus never interacted with people as they were, but as He knew they were created to be. Why as the question? He was received into the Catholic Church in 1991. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Here in Mark, he purposely set out to travel into another land. As I have been studying this account through the week, it has seemed to me a rather bizarre and remote situation, the liberation of this Gerasene demoniac. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons. Those possessed are depicted throughout as unfortunate sufferers who by no fault of their own are dominated by evil spirits and who, when the spirits are cast out by Jesus, accept their deliverance with joy and gratitude (Mark v. 18-20, Luke viii. 36Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. August 2022 Hence there was demon-worship, the worship not necessarily of evil spirits; but of the spirits of those who had existed in the Golden Age. G. Campbell Morgan, The Gospel According to Mark (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1927), p. 114. No matter who you are. Archaeological or Historical Support for the Gerasene Pigs The spread of cholera was linked to the movements of . September 2022 Let me say as graciously as I can, Satan does not need to work on us in those areas as we are doing very well without his exploitation. Why did the demons ask to be cast into the herd of pigs, and why did the pigs then run into the water to be drowned? Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus - Quora Why do people like Jesus a lot? Even in our sophisticated times, there is an intense interest in the supernatural and the occult. 1) He Exposes Evil (v 28-30) . The people were more terrified of Jesus and His authority than they were of this crazed and demonized man living among the tombs. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. Why is that. Perhaps they clenched their fists or picked up driftwood with which to defend themselves. Some appeared not to be oppressed by them so much as exploiting their powers (cf. The story shows Jesus exorcising a demon or demons out of a man and into a herd of swine, causing the swine to run down a hill into a lake and drown . Why are you Afraid? | Mark 4:35 - 5:20 | RayStedman.org 112 Skeptics and liberals have made much of the differences between the Gospel writers as to the place Jesus landed with His disciples. Embedded into both stories are people who were afraid of Jesus. Gergesenes means "those who come from pilgrimage or fight.". Bible scholar Gleason Archer (Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties) argues similarly, It is entirely possible that the political control of this region was centered in Gadara as the capital city. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. 37Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. December 2021 Like it or not, demons and demonic activity are likely to become much more of a concern to you in days to come. And they were afraid. Instantly he recognized the Lord Jesus to be the Son of God (verse 7).116 There was a source of spiritual insight beyond human capabilities here. If an Israelite, why was he in Gerasene in the first place and why was he living so near a large herd of swine? I understand why," the HBO "Real Time" host told Jake Tapper on Tuesday as part . Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus? 118 H. All of us may be so concerned with our own livelihoods that we fail to serve other people and help those in desperat 122 Quoted by Alfred Plummer, The Gospel According to Saint Luke, (Edinburg: T. and T. Clark, 5th ed., 1969): p. 228. Neither is it only a kind of physical disease, although spiritual and physical disease often accompany it (e.g. Pigs were seen as unclean animals in the eyes of the people of Israel. The pig shepherds had gone and spread the news of what had happened all around. Acts 19:16). Instead, they reject Him because all they know is His power and purity. We owe it to Josephus, from whom it has passed into ecclesiastical language. Many times people - Non-Christians and Christians - push Jesus away because they do not want to change. April 2021 The subject of demons and demon possession has always seemed somewhat remote and academic to sophisticated 20th century Americans. 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. As C. S. Lewis aptly put it: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. Who Was Afraid Of Jesus And Why? Since the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave in their fear, it seems that Jesus' ability to exorcise Legion was disturbing to the people. He shivered at the disturbing memory. Why is this even an issue, I wonder? (6) Tendency towards self-destruction. Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. It is amazing to think that people could be fearful of Jesus. To date they have failed to respond in any way. It was significant. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Highlights in the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ. The word translated windstorm here, and storm in the KJ, is the word lailaps, which is more than just a storm. The Politics of Luke 8:26-39 | Political Theology Network 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! No one was strong enough to subdue him (verses 3,4). February 2021 Even the demons confessed that He was the Son of the Most High (Mark 5:7). It is very appropriate that these two incidents . Such must have been the response of those with our Lord. What Does Luke 8:37 Mean? "And all the people of the country of the And they were afraid. 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. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. Known as the Judas Iscariot of Gnosticism for revealing that which is not to be revealed. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. Demon-possession is, therefore, not merely a mental state in which someone suffers from a delusion or is subjected to some subjective disturbance of the world of ideas. If anything, that would have made them angry. First of all, the EPA would have been investigating the pollution of Lake Galilee with decaying pigs. xvi. 128 In most of the stories of possession what is at issue is not merely sickness but a destruction and distortion of the divine likeness of man according to creation. It is now called Jerash and is a deserted ruin. The ego is so impaired that the spirits speak through him. 13ff.). Sermon for July 26, 2020: Why Were They So Afraid: Mark 5:1-20. This was a federation of ten cities (deka = ten, polis = city). Your comment will be posted after it is approved. When once he was an instrument of Satanic opposition against the Messiah, now he is a witness to His power. Luke 8:37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them: for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. Luke 8 No matter what men attempted to bind him with, he broke loose. October 2021 The Lord granted the only request of these residents, which was for Him to leave. 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. In other words, even though he set the bar extremely high, he seemed to be a fascinating man. It might be better to hide behind masks than risk being hurt again After all, if God rejects youwhere else can you go? As indicated in the textual note, the best Greek text reads Gerasenes in Mark and Luke, Gadarenes in Matthew. Such an entreaty can be addressed by them to only God. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. March 2015 Read the Scripture: Mark 4:35 - 5:20. In Mark 1:5 it is used of the land of Judaea (KJV) and in Acts 10:39, to land of the Jews (KJV). The city of Gadara and its surrounding area are referred to as the Gadarenes. April 2016 Some today have given demons far more than their due by blaming demons for every malady of mankind. (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26) In Gerasenes in place of Gadarenes. But, the context is not going to be comfortable (accepted by) to some traditional understandings. June 2015 How ironic, as others have noted, that the tormentor pleads not to be tormented. While he was once wild and uncontrollable, he was sitting quietly at the feet of Jesus. They were willing to post guards and chain and shackle their neighbor to keep him from hurting someone. He did not appear to rush upon the small group of men to attack them (as he would normally have done), but rather to plead with Jesus. Jesus asked a sick man if he wanted to get well. DEUT 32:8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples, according to the number of the sons of God. They were afraid and astonished, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey Him?" . 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. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. If Jesus had that kind of power, then He could not be controlled. Have we stepped back, in effect asking Jesus to leave us alone, only to discover, as a Gentleman, He did? 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.. Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus? If we put ourselves in their place, and use empathy to feel how we might have reacted if we were confronted with the loss of our next year's source of feeding our families, it will be easier to understand that they were afraid to suffer any other loss that might result if Jesus stayed in their area. The account occurs in all three Synoptic gospels; in Mark (the shortest gospel) the story is in the longest and most detailed version; Matthew 8.28-34 is the shortest, It is noteworthy that it is distinguished (especially in the Gospel of the physician, Luke) from cases of ordinary sickness, insanity (lunacy), leprosy, blindness, lameness, deafness and other natural defects and diseases (cf. Was there some sort of unwritten rule that Darrow (or any non-Bellona) was supposed to throw the fight? . 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. October 2020 He was a totally safe Person. What was it that caused these people to react in such a way? 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. But then also Christ will triumph, and finally put an end to the evil one and all his powers of darkness (Rev. Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? His website/blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, has been online since March 1997. September 2020 The conduct of this pathetic individual was obviously anti-social. Jesus had just performed an incredible miracleand one they desperately needed, at that! Wasn't the answer obvious? 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. 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. Here is where Satan can use a man to influence scores of people, blinding minds and hearts to the truths of the Word of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost? June 2017 Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12), whose leader and prince is Satan (Matthew 12:24). Having been properly warned of the demonic underworld, let us not fall into the opposite error of absolute paranoia. The Gadarene: When Following Jesus Means Going Home Where it falls apart for me is why the Bellonas, knowing that only one person is allowed to survive each duel, take the defeat so personally. verse 5). 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. And he said to them, Where is your faith? How Can a Person Get Rid of Evil Spirits. They had dealt with Legion (I suspect) by forcing him from their presence. The house that is left swept and clean is a likely target for Satanic influence (cf. 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. When Jesus and his disciples come to the mostly-Gentile region of the Gerasenes, they are met by a man whose life has been destroyed by demonic infestation. or by some form of self-emptying (such as various forms of eastern meditation) in my opinion, they are in a precarious position. The Gospels use different names for the place where this occurred: This is supposedly a contradiction. Gerasa is (as we know) some 30-35 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, but may have also been the name of the larger region. Luke 8:37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked How do I connect these two faces together? 114 We are indebted to Edersheim, who reminds us that the expression demon possession never occurs in the New Testament: The term demoniacal possession occurs not in the New Testament. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. But, the pigs were a part of their economic wealth. art thou come hither to torment us before the time? As Jesus began to get back into the boat, the delivered demoniac pleaded with Him that he might accompany Him. Why did Jesus allow the legion of demons to stay in the area when they begged him? Understand the meaning of Luke 8:37 using all available Bible versions and commentary. Whereas he had been a slave, he was now delivered from demon possession. EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, Why did Jesus not allow demons to proclaim his name, Archaeological or Historical Support for the Gerasene Pigs. 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. 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). In fact the region was known as the Gadarenes-Gerasenes region. And, it can not be understood properly out of this context. Romans 9:19-23). COMMENTARY: Atheism is generally the expression of a moral attitude more than a real intellectual conviction based on evidence thought through. They came face-to-face with the Son of God, the Being with the power to change their world forever, and they said, "Please leave." Why? "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. Ananias and Sapphira did so by allowing their greed to grip their hearts (cf. Now' as to the pigs (an unclean animal, so you know Jesus wasnt in Israel! A land that was essentially under another god (lower case g). Winthrop Congregational Church, UCC No matter who you are. Both Gerasa and Gadara were cities to the east of the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. rev2023.3.3.43278. When Jesus asked his name the man answered, Legion, for we are many (Mark 5:9). How to prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? Now appreciate the reaction - another God was messing with their god - and demonstrating authority! The spectrum ranges from those who seem to control the demonic powers to those who are utterly controlled by them. Where did the demons go after they went into the pigs and caused them to jump to their death. Gadara is about six miles from the sea. So he got into a boat and returned. or school. A crowd had come to see what had happened for themselves. Matthew is habitually more oriented to a Jewish readership, and so he refers to Gadarenes because Gadara was the most important Jewish city in the area. 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. Immediately, as this weary group disembarked from the ship, they were met by what appeared to be a madman. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 2,8) who can possess men and animals. December 2015 It had nothing to do the farmers losing revenue - at all. Demonic influence further destroys mans reflection of God as originally designed.128 Demons have great spiritual insight and reluctantly submit to Jesus as Lord of all. So they refer to Gerasenes. June 2022 Anonymous, October 25 2014 28); Mark the country of the Gerasenes (v. 1), and Luke, probably, the country of the Gergesenes (viii. Mark 5:1And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. But having recalled a passage in Ephesians, I realize now that this man is a reminder of the dilemma of every man, woman, and child who have not come to a saving dependence upon the work of Jesus Christ for sinners on the cross. For more information about Glenn Davis see our About Glenn page and/or his Author's Page. November 2017 The best human analogy might be in the area of drug abuse. The typical explanation for the petition of the residents that Christ leave their country is that they were motivated by materialistic considerations. Jesus did say to count the cost [Luke 14:28-33]. PDF A Legion of Fears This is probably the Gerasa of Mark and Luke. Another reason could be as Dr. R.C. The reference could hardly be to the better known Gerasa (Jerash) between thirty and forty miles southeast from the lake. Swine were unclean animals according to the Torah. And, Gerasene was one. Afraid of Jesus? | Sermons | College Park Church September 2018 The conduct of this pathetic individual was obviously anti-social. . monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. They greatly desire to enter and control a physical body, whereby they may reflect their character and attributes. 18). Jesus showed to the local population the inferiority of pagan life. August 2021 These people from the region of the Gerasenes had undoubtedly felt the anger or disgust of Jews for making a career out of such unclean animals, but Jesus had not criticized them for their profession. Will they be rejected? 184-185. Why would the Gerasene people beg Jesus to leave their region - EBible Spam.