Bible Strands
Mark 5:15
When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The townspeople from the region arrive at the lakeside after hearing the pig herdsmen's report to investigate the event. They encounter Jesus and observe the formerly demon-possessed man sitting calmly, fully clothed, and mentally restored.
The words — The Greek verb θεωροῦσιν (theōrousin) literally means "they see" or "they observe," marking the crowd's direct visual confirmation of the man's condition. This term shifts the narrative from rumor to eyewitness testimony of the transformation.
The thread — The crowd's fear mirrors the awe of the Beth-shemesh men who asked who could stand before the holy God (1 Samuel 6:20). This reaction contrasts with the New Testament teaching that God gives believers a spirit of power, love, and self-control rather than fear (2 Timothy 1:7), while aligning with the reality of being rescued from darkness's dominion (Colossians 1:13).
Why it lands — The text records that witnesses responded to divine restoration with fear, requiring the reader to confront the weight of God's power over darkness. It demands an honest assessment of whether one's response to spiritual liberation is reverence or mere curiosity.
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 they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Cross-references
- Colossians 1:13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,
- 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
- 1 Samuel 6:20 The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?”
- 1 Samuel 16:4 So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?”
- Isaiah 49:24 Can the plunder be snatched from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be delivered?
- Mark 5:9 “What is your name?” Jesus asked. “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
- Luke 8:27 When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothing or lived in a house, but he stayed in the tombs.
- 1 Chronicles 15:13 It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”
- Job 13:11 Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
- Psalms 14:5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is in the company of the righteous.