Mark 5:13
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
Jesus permitted the unclean spirits to leave the two afflicted men and enter the herd of about two thousand swine nearby, which at once seized with panic rushed headlong down the steep slope into the sea and were drowned and choked. They could do nothing without His leave, which displayed His authority over their great number and His supremacy over Satan to release men from bondage. The destruction made Satan's cruel and destructive power over people and animals visible, was permitted as a rebuke to Jews who raised unclean animals for gain, and was designed by Satan to cause financial loss that would turn the people away and block the gospel there. The owners and people counted the loss of property greater than the restoration of the two men to reason and calm, and from fear of further worldly loss asked Jesus to depart without hearing Him. The evil working was overruled for good to rouse the whole country and bring Christ before the people, and though He departed He left the healed men as witnesses whose testimony of His mercy and power opened the door for the gospel throughout Decapolis.
Setting and Deliverance
Jesus had crossed to the eastern shore of Gennesaret seeking seclusion, a relatively desolate region with more heathen inhabitants and little communication with Galilee. There he met two afflicted men whom the unclean spirits used as mediums of communication, answering with the name Legion for we are many. Through them the spirits begged not to be sent away out of the country but to be allowed to enter a great herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountainside.
At his command for the spirits to come out of the men, Jesus gave them leave to enter the swine. They could not act without his leave, and in granting it he displayed his authority over their great number. As soon as the spirits entered them panic seized the herd of about two thousand. They rushed madly headlong down the cliff and steep slope, unable to check themselves upon the shore, and plunged into the lake or sea where they were drowned and choked.
In that same moment the men were immediately delivered from demonic bondage and torment. Light dawned on their darkened minds, and intelligence and beaming reason returned to their eyes. Their Satan-like fierceness became mild, their violent hands became quiet, and their madness left them. Freed from their tormentors, they praised the Lord and worshiped him for freedom. After healing the demoniacs at Gadara, Jesus returned to the other side where Jairus met him to plead for his dying daughter.
Purpose and Significance
Satan's design in the demons' request to enter the swine was to bring considerable financial loss upon the owners so that Jesus would be held in disfavor throughout the country, to turn the people away from Him and to block His work and stop the gospel from being preached there. The destruction of the herd was permitted as a rebuke to Jews who were raising unclean animals for gain and profit.
The rushing of the herd to destruction made the power of evil visible and demonstrated Satan's cruel, destructive power and activity over both people and animals, with a great number of evil spirits at work that human wisdom and power alone cannot overcome. At the same time the event showed Jesus' supremacy over Satan, His power to cast out demons and release people from Satan's bondage, and that even the power of demons is under His control. Christ restrained the demons and limited that harm, and by His mercy and power to protect human life He alone preserved the swine's keepers and owners from being destroyed as well.
The working of evil was overruled for good, for though intended to turn the people away, the destruction roused the whole country as nothing else could have done, brought Jesus before the people, and directed attention to Christ.
Rejection and Witness
The drowning of the herd meant serious financial loss to the owners, and the keepers who had watched the raving men suddenly become sane and calm and then watched the whole drove charge recklessly down into the sea hurried to tell the owners and all the people and spread the news of what had happened. The loss helped turn the people against Jesus and led them to ask Him to leave their region. The keepers published what they had seen, and the destruction prompted the spreading of the report through the country.
The owners and people counted the destruction of property of greater magnitude than the joyful fact that two men had been restored to reason, no longer endangered travelers nor needed bolts and chains. They valued the loss of the animals more than the men's deliverance and the blessings Christ had brought, focusing on worldly interests and fearing further loss of property. The loss of property stirred indignation, yet it also served as a rebuke to Jews who raised unclean swine for profit. Their resentment showed how fear of worldly loss can lead people to reject Christ and drive His Spirit from their hearts.
They asked Jesus to depart without hearing His words, ignorant of what they were rejecting, and He departed by boat. The destruction had been intended to turn the people away and prevent the preaching of the gospel there. Attachment to worldly interests led them to reject Christ and His mercy, for no one can serve God and mammon.
Though Jesus Himself departed, He did not leave them to the darkness they had chosen but left the healed men as witnesses to His power. Though they had heard little of His teaching, they could tell what they had seen, heard, and experienced of His mercy and power to save from Satan's bondage. Those who had been mediums of the prince of darkness became channels of light and messengers of the Son of God. Obediently they carried the good news to their households, neighbors, and people throughout Decapolis, telling how Jesus had freed them and had power to save.
Their testimony made the people hear of Jesus and the salvation He offered and awakened interest in His teaching and kingdom. It helped convince the people that He was the Son of God and opened a door to the gospel throughout that region. The working of evil was overruled for good, for the destruction roused the whole country as nothing else could have done and directed attention to Christ. So when He later returned to Decapolis thousands from all the surrounding country flocked to Him and for three days heard the message of salvation.
The same demon possession seen in the man who tore and cut himself until Jesus cast out the devils is present when a person gives soul, body, and spirit to Satan in order to rule another's mind and body and accomplish her own will.