Mark 5:3

This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Mark narrates Jesus’ immediate encounter with a demon-possessed man upon disembarking from a boat. The account places the man in total physical and social isolation before any divine intervention occurs.

The words — κατοίκησιν (katoikēsin) literally means dwelling or habitation, paired with εἶχεν (eichen), which denotes possession or an ongoing state. Together they indicate the man’s permanent settlement among the tombs rather than a temporary visit.

The thread — The text places the man among the tombs, echoing Isaiah 65:4’s description of grave-dwelling and paralleling the bound man in Luke 8:29. Daniel 4:32 similarly depicts judgment that severs a person from human society and forces isolation.

Why it lands — The text states that human chains and shackles cannot restrain the man and that no one possesses the strength to subdue him. It requires the reader to acknowledge that physical restraint fails where spiritual bondage operates, demanding recognition of a power beyond human capability.

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

ὃςhoswho τὴνtēnthe κατοίκησινkatoikēsindwelling εἶχενeichenhad ἐνenin τοῖςtoisthe μνήμασιν.mnēmasintombs.καὶkaiAnd οὐδὲoudenot even ἁλύσειhaluseiwith a chain οὐκέτιouketino longer οὐδεὶςoudeisno [one]ἐδύνατοedunatowas able αὐτὸνautonhim δῆσαιdēsaito bind

King James Version

Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Cross-references

Isaiah 65:4 sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls.
Luke 8:29 For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and been driven by the demon into solitary places.
Daniel 4:32 You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”
Mark 9:18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”