New Testament
Mark 5:17
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The people began begging Jesus to leave their region.
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And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
What Mark 5:17 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Mark 5:17, the people of the region, after witnessing the miraculous healing of a man possessed by demons, reacted with fear and apprehension. Instead of welcoming Jesus, they asked Him to leave. This response highlights their discomfort with the supernatural and their inability to understand the power of Jesus. They were more concerned about the loss of their pigs, which had drowned in the sea after the demons were cast out, than the well-being of the healed man. Their plea for Jesus to depart reflects a common human reaction to the unknown or the divine, where fear can overshadow faith. This moment serves as a reminder that encountering Jesus can provoke a range of responses, from awe to rejection, depending on one's perspective and priorities. The people prioritized their material loss over the spiritual transformation happening before them, illustrating how fear can lead to missed opportunities for healing and redemption.
How to apply Mark 5:17 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own responses to Jesus. Are we open to His transformative power, or do we let fear and material concerns drive us away? Embracing faith can lead to profound change in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Mark Summary
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Freeing a Man from Demons (Mark 5:1–20)
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Jesus
Photo: zeevveez, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.0. Source. Location: Capernaum, on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Resized for the web.
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Capernaum
Jesus' home base by the Sea of Galilee, and the town where Peter lived.
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Keep studying Mark 5:17
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Mark
- Author
- John Mark
- Written
- Around AD 55-65
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Roman and Gentile Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Mark 5:17 mean?
Mark 5:17 describes how the people of the region, after witnessing Jesus heal a demon-possessed man, asked Him to leave due to their fear and concern over their lost pigs. This reaction highlights their inability to grasp the significance of Jesus' power and their preference for material concerns over spiritual well-being.
Why did the people ask Jesus to leave in Mark 5:17?
The people asked Jesus to leave because they were afraid after seeing the miraculous healing and were more worried about the loss of their pigs than the healing of the man. Their fear of the supernatural led them to prioritize their material loss over the transformative event they had just witnessed.
What is the significance of the pigs in Mark 5:17?
The pigs in Mark 5:17 symbolize the material concerns of the people, which overshadowed their recognition of Jesus' divine power. Their focus on the loss of the pigs illustrates how fear and attachment to possessions can prevent individuals from embracing spiritual truths.
What themes are present in Mark 5:17?
Mark 5:17 presents themes of fear of the unknown, rejection of Jesus, and the conflict between materialism and spirituality. It shows how fear can lead to missed opportunities for healing and transformation when faced with the divine.
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