New Testament
Mark 5:17
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
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.
- Author
- John Mark
- Written
- Around AD 55-65
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Roman and Gentile Christians
The people began begging Jesus to leave their region.
And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
Verse Analysis
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
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.

The Book of Mark
Mark 1: John the Baptist and the Beginning of Jesus's Ministry
John the Baptist appears in the wilderness and preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People from Judaea and Jerusalem come to him, confess their sins, and are baptized in the river Jordan. John wears camel's hair and a leather belt and eats locusts and wild honey. He announces that someone stronger than he is coming after him and says he is not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals. He baptizes with water, but the one coming will baptize with the Holy Ghost.
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