Bible Strands
Mark 5:11
There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator places the scene on a hillside where a large herd of pigs is feeding, occurring at the moment the unclean spirits beg Jesus not to send them out of the region. This description immediately precedes their specific request to enter the swine.
The words — The prepositional phrase πρὸς τῷ ὄρει (pros tō orei) literally means "near the hill." The verb ἦν (ēn) functions as the past tense copula establishing "there was" the herd.
The thread — The placement of pigs in this narrative directly invokes their ritual prohibition in Leviticus 11:7 and Deuteronomy 14:8, while their association with the demons recalls Isaiah 65:4's link between swine and secret, unclean practices.
Why it lands — The text forces the reader to note the deliberate choice of an unclean animal host, demonstrating the demons' intent to violate ritual boundaries and Jesus' authority to permit or deny their movement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 11:7 And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.
- Deuteronomy 14:8 as well as the pig; though it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. It is unclean for you. You must not eat its meat or touch its carcass.
- Isaiah 65:4 sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls.
- Isaiah 66:3 Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.
- Matthew 8:30 In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding.
- Luke 8:32 There on the hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.