The Gadarene Demoniac
During the days when our most precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ walked upon the earth, by His descent from heaven and through His incarnation from the most blessed Virgin Mary, did the Son and Word of God not only preach the good news of salvation, but He also performed many miracles such as the healing of the sick, the granting of sight to the blind, and He even spiritually liberated those possessed with unclean spirits. One such example, taken from the holy Gospels, where Christ delivers someone severely troubled by demonic possession, is known as the story of the Gadarene Demoniac. This story of a man possessed with many unclean spirits is found in the 5th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark, and it is also found in the 8th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke. Though this story is told in two separate books, the accounts concerning the Gadarene Demoniac are nearly identical in both of these Gospels. For in each version of the story do we see the demon revealing it’s name as “Legion,” because many evil spirits were in control of this poor man’s soul and body. Jesus would ultimately cast out the devils living in the man and send these unclean spirits into a herd of swine that were feeding nearby. In the following presentation we will examine the significance of the name “Legion” and explore the possibilities of why the Lord allowed these unclean spirits to enter a herd of unclean animals, and explain the reason why Jesus instructed the man whom He delivered to spread this miracle, whereas at all other times Christ told the people whom He healed to keep these miracles a secret.
As the story begins, Jesus and His disciples arrive at the other side of the Sea of Galilee and enter the country of the Gadarenes. Now the exact location of the Gadarenes is a subject of debate among scholars. However, it is generally believed to have been situated on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in the vicinity of modern-day Kursi in northern Israel. This area, known as the Decapolis (a group of ten cities), was predominantly inhabited by Gentiles during the time of Christ. It is also worth noting that the Gadarenes themselves were most likely an ethnic group or a people associated with the region rather than belonging to a specific country. The term “Gadarenes” therefore primarily refers to the inhabitants of the area rather than describing this territory as a municipal entity. Continuing with the Gospel story, do we see that no sooner had Jesus and the disciples embarked upon this region when they were met by a man coming out of the tombs, who was possessed with an unclean spirit (Mark 5:1, 2). The Bible goes on to illustrate how this demon possessed man lived among the tombs, wore no clothes, and could not be tamed. For when he was bound with chains and shackles, this man had the supernatural strength to pull apart the chains and break the shackles. And each day and each night was he in the tombs and in the mountains crying out, and he also had the habit of cutting himself with stones. Overall this poor person was greatly suffering in a most terrible condition.
After the Lord encountered the demon possessed man, Jesus went on to have a short dialog with the devil living inside the man, where the demon reveals that it’s name is, “Legion: for we are many” (Mark 5:9). Since the unclean spirit here calls himself “Legion” this has led many scholars to conclude that there were many demons in possession of the man and not just one. In fact during the time of Christ, when Judea was occupied by the Roman Empire, a legion was referred to as a military rank nominally composed of 6,000 soldiers. So if the demons living inside the man were called Legion, then this poor soul may have been possessed by 6,000 evil spirits! Now during this conversation between Christ and the demons, these unclean spirits beg the Lord not to send them into the abyss, but into a great herd of swine that were feeding nearby. Jesus gave them permission, “…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 (Mark 5:13). Now according to the Law of Moses pigs are unclean animals and were forbidden to be eaten of by the children of Israel. The Bible also describes the “Legion” in Mark 5 as an unclean spirit. So the fact that an unclean spirit desired to possess the flesh of an unclean animal, keenly demonstrates the carnal depravity of the demons.
What is interesting to consider here is how the devils had no authority to enter the swine by their own will, but only after they were granted to possess the pigs by the Lord’s permission. This demonstrates that nothing ever happens in this world without God either willing something to happen, or allowing something to happen. Though the righteous judgments of the Lord may stand outside of the realm of human understanding, us mortals can be assured that God is love and has our best interests in mind, even if it appears that at times God is being unfair towards His creation. Remember there are consequences for our actions and what we reap is what we sow. So in the end it is us sinners who are truly to blame for our own mistakes and shortcomings which cause us to suffer, and the blame should not be shifted towards God. However, we should also remember that the Lord is merciful, so what looks like a curse may in fact be a blessing in disguise. Going further, when a person experiences an injustice this is considered by the Saints to be a very great thing. For as St. Paisios the Athonite said, “there is nothing sweeter, than to suffer injustice.” Just as Christ Himself suffered and was crucified, so too did he rise gloriously from the dead. And if we too are patient in our own afflictions, then can we be comforted with the confidence that we will also enjoy a better resurrection.
Returning to the healing of the Gadarene Demoniac, it must be understood how Christ did not allow the man to be one of His disciples, but instead instructed the man to go home to his friends, and to tell everyone of all the great things that the Lord had done for him, and how God had compassion on him. The man in turn was obedient to the Lord’s instructions and published to all those in Decapolis the great things that Jesus had done for him, and all the people marveled (Mark 5:19, 20). What is most unusual concerning this particular miracle however, is that Christ told the man to tell others about it, when at all other times Jesus instructed those He healed to keep the miracle a secret. However, as Christians we do know how great a sin it is to deny Christ. So the fact that the man confessed Christ openly, especially to a people who didn’t want Jesus in their country, then it is revealed how blessed this man was, who just previously had been suffering in an unbelievably wretched condition. For instead of denying Christ the man confessed Christ, even before a people who were against Christ (Mark 5:17).
In conclusion, from what we have covered in this story of the Gadarene Demoniac, it is evident that the forces of evil are powerless before the almighty authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. For after Christ rose from the dead, He informed His disciples that all power in heaven and in the earth has been given unto Him (Matthew 28:18). Just as the demons could not enter the herd of pigs without Christ’s permission, so too does nothing happen in this life without the Lord either willing it or allowing it to happen. God is love, but He is also a judge, so we humans shouldn’t take the mercy and compassion of the Lord lightly. God is our Father and deserves respect. Just as God has commanded us to honor our earthly parents, so should we humans also render the proper adoration and obedience towards our heavenly Father. Also, as Christians we should always display the courage of confessing Christ when necessary, even before people who are opposed to Christ. The Gadarene Demoniac shines as a praise worthy example of what it means to confess Christ in a situation where doing so wasn’t the popular thing. Young Christians living in modern society may be hesitant to confess Christ openly, in the fear of being mocked, ridiculed, or laughed at. However, when a man is not ashamed of Christ, then Christ is not ashamed of him. For the martyrs even chose death rather than to deny Christ and live. So let us who consider ourselves Christians always be ready to confess Jesus even when doing so is unpopular. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed (Romans 10:11).
References:
Ancient Faith Study Bible. (Nashville, Tennessee: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019).
Orthodox Study Bible (Elk Grove, CA:St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology, 2008).
Zondervan. The Holy Bible, King James Version. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009).