Mark 5:13

He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus grants permission to unclean spirits after they beg to enter a herd of pigs, occurring between their request in Mark 5:12 and the herders' flight in Mark 5:14. The moment captures the direct command-and-response dynamic between Christ and the demonic host.

The words — ἐπέτρεψεν (epetrepsen) translates literally as "He allowed" or "He gave permission," denoting Jesus' authoritative grant of consent. εὐθὺς (eutheōs) means "immediately," emphasizing the prompt execution of the spirits' departure and entry into the swine.

The thread — The narrative parallels Matthew 8:32, which records the identical event with the same sequence of permission, exodus, and pig herd destruction. The theme of divine permission over spiritual forces also echoes Job 2:6 and 1 Kings 22:22, where heavenly authority regulates the bounds of spiritual activity.

Why it lands — The text states that Jesus permitted the spirits to enter the pigs, causing a two-thousand-head herd to rush into the sea and drown. This sequence requires the reader to acknowledge that physical and spiritual realities operate under His sovereign command, not independent will.

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

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.

Cross-references

1 Kings 22:22 And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
Job 2:6 “Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.”
Matthew 8:32 “Go!” He told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
1 Peter 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
Job 1:12 “Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Revelation 9:11 They were ruled by a king, the angel of the Abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek it is Apollyon.
Revelation 13:5 The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months.
Revelation 20:7 When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison,