In Acts 8:1 we have the regions of Judaea and Samaria (KJV), and in Acts 16:6, Galatia alone. He was received into the Catholic Church in 1991. For those who are shaken like leaves in the wind at the mention of demons, let us remember from this story that demons cannot even possess pigs without prior permission from our Lord. 16, x. Whereas he had been a slave, he was now delivered from demon possession. You will receive a monthly newsletter with Scriptural teaching plus notifications of any new articles, courses or books. Matt. According to another theory, the Chapati movement of 1857 was an attempt to prevent a cholera outbreak in central India. Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12), whose leader and prince is Satan (Matthew 12:24). So he got into the boat and left. Such must have been the response of those with our Lord. As an alternative to confinement, the demons posed the option of being permitted to enter the pigs, some 2,000 in number, feeding nearby. Top Ten Reasons Why There Were Pigs In Gerasenes Remember the story of Jesus casting demons out of the crazy man in Luke 8? Although demon-possession after that time no longer occurs on such a devastating and noticeable scale, the absolute form of demon-possession will appear at the end of the age in the Antichrist and in his followers (2 Thess. 184-185. It was significant. In recent years the matter has been getting uncomfortably close to home. Like the Samaritans who followed the woman at the well to see this One who had told her all she had done, so these residents came to see for themselves what had happened. How to prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? February 2016 (2) Anti-social behavior. The religious rulers hated Jesus for exposing their hypocrisy and feared the consequences His actions might have with Rome, but they were not afraid of Jesus as a Person. That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. For the Christian, there are two extremes which must be avoided with reference to Satanic activity. 34When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. But the distance is so short that, even making allowance for the delay by the tempest, the passage could scarcely have occupied the whole night. September 2016 As has been said before, look for Satans man behind the pulpit. March 2017 (1) Severe personality change. 5. This suggests that whoever was the customer for the swineherder in the "region of the Gerasenes", it was not the Roman army to any significant extent. He was Someone Who could control the spirit realm. The capital of the region was Gerasa, and the largest city in the region was Gadera. Jesus had simply sailed across the Lake of Galilee to the region of the Gerasenes. What scared them was a power so fierce it could free a man. You are welcome here. And he said to them, Where is your faith? They became as afraid of Jesus as the demons were. 3. What were the women in Mark 16:8 afraid of? xvii. 0 Responses John 8:32; Matthew 11:28-30), or to be the pawns of Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2). Instantly he recognized the Lord Jesus to be the Son of God (verse 7).116 There was a source of spiritual insight beyond human capabilities here. It was not the loss of their property or investment that caused them to be afraid of Jesus. ), you also need to understand the significance of this - to the people in Gerasene. NEW STAR WARS MERCH PAGE: https://bit.ly/3baWVZv For all sponsorship and business inquiries please contact: thestupendousscrub@gmail.com NEW CHANNEL: https:/. The entire population of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them because they were seized with great fear. Instead, they reject Him because all they know is His power and purity. May 2015 https://www.ncregister.com/blog/gerasene-or-gadarene-swine, What Archaeology Tells Us About Joshuas Conquest, 50 Verses to Help You Prepare for Pentecost, St. Polycarp, Who Learned the Faith From an Apostle, Did Not Believe in Faith Alone, The Three Kinds of Atheists, and How to Respond to Them, We Know That Hes in Heaven: Thousands Gather for Funeral of Bishop David OConnell in Los Angeles, Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Paprocki Speak Out in Support of Traditional Latin Massgoers in Their Dioceses, Survey: Decline in Vocations to the Priesthood Is Worse Where Priests Serve Larger Flocks, God Really Intervened: How a Catholic Priest Escaped From His Kidnappers in Haiti, Amber and Dave VanVickle on Finding God in the Midst of Suffering. 22ff. So who was afraid? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Luke 8 January 2021 It might be better to hide behind masks than risk being hurt again After all, if God rejects youwhere else can you go? Spam. Where did the demons go after they went into the pigs and caused them to jump to their death. That would be a strong message, by allowing them to be possessed and then drowned. The conduct of this pathetic individual was obviously anti-social. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. It is Geldenhuys who gives us the most concise description of demon-possession: in the New Testament demon-possession means that a person is dominated by the spirit of a demon and tormented by him. Mark 9:17-29). The people were more terrified of Jesus and His authority than they were of this crazed and demonized man living among the tombs. Such an entreaty can be addressed by them to only God. Others are absolutely controlled (hooked) by the drug and totally dependent upon it. He also maintains a popular Facebook page. Is there a single-word adjective for "having exceptionally strong moral principles"? The best human analogy might be in the area of drug abuse. 23, 24, viii. All of this sure seems perfectly consistent with calling the same area the country (chra) of either the Gerasenes or the Gadarenes, after the two major cities. Since the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave in their fear, it seems that Jesus' ability to exorcise Legion was disturbing to the people. Holy Communion From the Chalice Reintroduced in the UK: What About the US? Wasn't the answer obvious? When our Lord confronted the demons, they had to submit to His power and authority. Swine were unclean animals according to the Torah. There was no such danger in Perea, and thus the mercy of the Lord was to be heralded. His website/blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, has been online since March 1997. Now' as to the pigs (an unclean animal, so you know Jesus wasnt in Israel! Create your own unique website with customizable templates. In this context, however, he insists that legion has nothing of its usual Roman military overtones, but is the designation of numerous powers which oppose themselves to Jesus as the embodiment of the power of God. Lane, Mark, fn. Ridiculous? But from all of the Gospel accounts, I get the distinct impression that this mans eyes were riveted on Jesus. September 2015 37Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. This was a region east of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. They greatly desire to enter and control a physical body, whereby they may reflect their character and attributes. Gadara, though not directly named in Scripture, was part of the Decapolis. (4) Our Lord did not command the demons to enter into the pigs and bring about their destruction; He only permitted it.124. He felt Jesus' reassuring hand on his shoulder. Why is that. art thou come hither to torment us before the time? August 2015 The reply Legion118 may be some kind of evasion, a reluctance on the part of the demons to individually identify themselves. This incident in the Gerasenes requires some entry understanding. The ego is so impaired that the spirits speak through him. Satans most useful instrument is the outstanding, outwardly moral and upright religious man, whose good deeds are done independently of God. But here we speak not about a bishop, but about Christ who made His Godhead revealed through devils beseeching Him not to cast them to hell but enter the swine. If they dare to open up their lives to Jesus what will happen? We owe it to Josephus, from whom it has passed into ecclesiastical language. ii. July 2015 Confusion, fear in moments after crash "There were many big pieces of steel," said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene. The miracle referred to took place, without doubt, near the town of Gergesa, the modern Kersa, close by the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and hence in the country of Gergesenes. Early Christians like St. Polycarp clearly held the Catholic view on salvation. She and her wife moved to Maine from Illinois. When Jesus and his disciples come to the mostly-Gentile region of the Gerasenes, they are met by a man whose life has been destroyed by demonic infestation. The Lord granted the only request of these residents, which was for Him to leave. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.110. "The name "Gerasenes" is to be associated with the modern city of Jerash, located in Transjordan, 22 miles N of Amman." John McRay, "Gerasenes," ed. It is even possible that his request was to become one of our Lords disciples.125. Then any greatest of men, like any prophet, hero or king? So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine . I used to want the longest life, perfect health and happiness, but really it is that feeling that I am so glad that this isnt all there is and that we have heaven to wait for, and that well be with Jesus, and there will be no more tears Amber VanVickle (1982-2023), The headquarters of the charity, which serves as a consecrated family to 46 disabled children, were badly damaged in major flooding near Rio de Janeiro last year. If anything, that would have made them angry. Its important to note that this was the first demonstration of Jesuss authority outside of Canaan. It is not difficult to imagine what was going through the minds of the disciples as their ship landed and as these two demon possessed men rushed to them. Read the Scripture: Mark 4:35 - 5:20. July 2021 Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? The entrance of the term into colloquial speech indicates that the Roman occupation was a heavy burden. October 2015 June 2017 Let me say as graciously as I can, Satan does not need to work on us in those areas as we are doing very well without his exploitation. Gadara is about six miles from the sea. xiii. Welcome to Biblical Hermeneutics! Pope Francis Inexhaustible Font of Words: 10 Gems From the Heart Over 10 Years, Pope Francis, Biden Commend Peacemaker Bishop OConnell as Memorial Services Begin. How many demons possessed the man in Mark 5:6? Their influence and control leads to untold agony and destruction. His greatest impact would be on those who knew his former state. The lectionary reading for Trinity 1, Year C, is Luke's version of Jesus meeting and healing the demon-possessed man in the 'region of the Gerasenes' (Luke 8.26-39). So they refer to Gerasenes. Have we stepped back, in effect asking Jesus to leave us alone, only to discover, as a Gentleman, He did? Like children convinced there are monsters under our beds, the unknown scares us. Rev. Some of the proposed answers to this question are totally unacceptable to an orthodox, evangelical Christian.123 By way of explanation, there are several factors which should be given serious consideration. If we put ourselves in their place, and use empathy to feel how we might have reacted if we were confronted with the loss of our next year's source of feeding our families, it will be easier to understand that they were afraid to suffer any other loss that might result if Jesus stayed in their area. March 2016 Many times people - Non-Christians and Christians - push Jesus away because they do not want to change. All Scripture agrees with this, that the judgment of the angels is yet to come (1 Cor. Preisker, TWNT IV (1942), pp. March 2022 November 2016 In the wake of new restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass, two American bishops spoke with EWTNs Raymond Arroyo Thursday about how their dioceses have responded. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. The Greeks were believers in the spirit world, but not necessarily convinced that demons were evil.127 As a result, Marks readers needed to be instructed as to the essential nature of demons and demon possession. Paul says of the former life of the Christian, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 1:1-2). Where it falls apart for me is why the Bellonas, knowing that only one person is allowed to survive each duel, take the defeat so personally. Even the demons confessed that He was the Son of the Most High (Mark 5:7). 28); Mark the country of the Gerasenes (v. 1), and Luke, probably, the country of the Gergesenes (viii. They were willing to post guards and chain and shackle their neighbor to keep him from hurting someone. Then the Livestock Association and consumer groups would have been greatly distressed over the sudden decrease in the pig population and the resulting impact on pork prices. Their first question is a rather pragmatic one, namely, How can demons possess animals? To this we must confess that we know too little to understand the mechanism of demon possession but the reality is very evident. 123 1. of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were So he got into the boat and left. Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? Well, it is because atheists, in their zealous rush to make fun of Christians, Christianity, and the Bible, start to lose their logical rigor and rationality, leading them to contend for implausible things: as presently. January 2018 We dismiss it the more readily, that, in our view, it conveys a wrong impression. He was a totally safe Person. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. What did we miss because we allowed fear instead of faith to drive our lives? Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. People who have no appr February 2022 Jude 6), no longer to afflict men or resist God. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Jesus was saying, (demonstrating) that He had all authority, in any land. 124 Augustine: The devils were driven out and permitted to go into the swine; and Aquinas: But that the swine were driven into the sea was no work of the divine miracle, but was the work of the devils by divine permission. Quoted by Trench, Miracles, fn. 36Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Demon possession, such as that of the Gerasene demoniac is the crudest and cruelest form of Satanic control, but by and large also one of the less common manifestations of Satans work in the world today. However, the point was clearly made; Jesus, the Son of God, has power over all things, including the powers of darkness. Second (and primarily), Mark employs this event to authenticate the claims of Jesus to be the Son of God and Israels Messiah. The demonically possessed man who came to Jesus cried out his name was Legion. Why is this sentence from The Great Gatsby grammatical? Anonymous, October 25 2014 The word translated windstorm here, and storm in the KJ, is the word lailaps, which is more than just a storm. First of all, I believe Mark was attempting to warn his Gentile readers of the great danger of demonic influence and activity. Why as the question? 35Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. The religious rulers hated Jesus for exposing their hypocrisy and feared the consequences His actions might have with Rome, but they were not afraid of Jesus as a Person. Understand the meaning of Luke 8:37 using all available Bible versions and commentary. These, however, are not the problem raised by Bible students. 21,22). In that case, of course, it would be in the early morning that the Gerasenes afterwards resorted to Jesus and that He again returned to Capernaum. I think all these attempts to harmonize what may at first seem like a contradiction are plausible, respectable, and adequate. Why would the Gerasene people beg Jesus to leave their region after He cast the demons into the pigs? 127 The view of Greek philosophy was that these were the spirits of those who lived in the Golden Age. Mark 5:16 says the thoughts of the people were on the swine. Those possessed are depicted throughout as unfortunate sufferers who by no fault of their own are dominated by evil spirits and who, when the spirits are cast out by Jesus, accept their deliverance with joy and gratitude (Mark v. 18-20, Luke viii. This city was better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no city of Palestine was better known. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. They valued their pigs more than they valued salvation. Jesus has lead me away from my old life. In the past several weeks, there has come to light the case of a man arrested for various crimes who has several of the symptoms of demon possession, including multiple personalities, even multiple IQs. They are happy in their sin and the consequences seem far away. December 2016 It is noteworthy that it is distinguished (especially in the Gospel of the physician, Luke) from cases of ordinary sickness, insanity (lunacy), leprosy, blindness, lameness, deafness and other natural defects and diseases (cf. I will not ask him to leave. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The region was not poor or economically depressed. February 2018 In all three instances the word is chra (Strongs word #5561). Whenever a man, woman, or child surrenders control of himself either to fleshly desires (anger, lust, passion, etc.) Demon-possession is, therefore, not merely a mental state in which someone suffers from a delusion or is subjected to some subjective disturbance of the world of ideas. Perhaps they clenched their fists or picked up driftwood with which to defend themselves. 13; Luke iv. Cookie Notice (3) Spiritual insight. ESV - May 2016 The US Congress is currently debating whether TikTok should be banned for everyone in the US, not just government officials. The lesson of this passage is that Satan is a defeated foe. Follow Up: struct sockaddr storage initialization by network format-string, How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner, Movie with vikings/warriors fighting an alien that looks like a wolf with tentacles. Earles comments are helpful: The difference in names for the destination on the east side of the take has caused considerable comment. And when the man spoke to Jesus, it looks like the demons inside the man were the ones doing the speaking. We should be warned that fooling with these Satanic fronts is like experimenting with drugs. 15; Mark ix. So he got into a boat and returned. in 1971. 13ff.). July 2020 While he was once wild and uncontrollable, he was sitting quietly at the feet of Jesus. That is why the inhabitants of the area are referred to variously in different Bible manuscripts as Gergasenes, Gadarenes, or Gerasenes. Here is where Satan can use a man to influence scores of people, blinding minds and hearts to the truths of the Word of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). "And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them, for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into a bo." Such was the case with this man (cf. Give a Gift SubscriptionBless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register. And, yes, Dana did just read us something about a man possessed by a whole bunch of demons that later go and possess a bunch of hogs. No! October 2022 And they were afraid. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. November 2015 His animal-like shrieks must have sent chills up the spines of any who were nearby. The demoniac further evidenced demon activity by the depth of his spiritual insight. This reveals to us that demons have an intuitive knowledge of their impending doom.117. For those near by the local name would be used; but in writing to a distant people, as the Greeks and Romans, the more comprehensive and general name would be given.. 14ff. They came face-to-face with the Son of God, the Being with the power to change their world forever, and they said, "Please leave." Why? 112 Skeptics and liberals have made much of the differences between the Gospel writers as to the place Jesus landed with His disciples. Why did Jesus not allow demons to proclaim his name, Archaeological or Historical Support for the Gerasene Pigs. Fallen people reject God not because they do not know His power. . We are seeking a replacement and hope to have it in your newspaper soon. Here is one of the few times that a miracle drove people away, rather than to draw them to Jesus. Why did the demons ask to be cast into the herd of pigs, and why did the pigs then run into the water to be drowned? to sign up for our free Water Of The Word newsletter at the top of any page! Why was Jesus going to walk past the disciples as they were rowing on the Sea of Galilee? It is mentioned in some ancient manuscripts of the . By His power, we, too, are able to overcome Satans treacheries. This was a federation of ten cities (deka = ten, polis = city). The demoniac was uncontrollable by any of the normal means of human confinement. He pleaded with Jesus not to be tormented. e.g., Matt. Copyright 2023 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved. Bible-believing Christians have always accepted the fact of demons and their activity in New Testament times, but most of us are inclined to relegate demonic activity in these days to pagan lands and missionary experiences. Jesus asked some crazy questions like "Why are you afraid?" First of all the Scriptures do not say that the local Pagans were afraid of Jesus, but that they merely begged him to leave their neighbourhood. The passage in Daniel especially suggests specific geographical boundaries within which spirit beings must abide. Women, children and defenceless people all admired Him and felt comfortable in His presence. Just imagine, a man in a cinema, having bought popcorn and cola and watching an action movie, with a lot of violence and harsh language in it, and then he sees suddenly that a saintly bishop is sitting just next to his seat, not watching the movie, but reading silently psalms with a countenance radiating a deep contemplation; will not the first man be upset and lose all pleasure of watching the movie? February 2015 Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Pig carcasses were washing ashore and drifting out to sea. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Bible scholar Gleason Archer (Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties) argues similarly, It is entirely possible that the political control of this region was centered in Gadara as the capital city. January 2015 Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. It was greatly influenced by Greek culture.126. Jesus asked a sick man if he wanted to get well. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. April 2017 Luke 8:37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them: for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. They have three sons and a daughter (all homeschooled) and reside in southeast Michigan. Such seems to be a similar case with Judas (John 13:1-2). It is in no way certain, however, that the pig raisers were Jews. (5) What our Lord could have given the people of this territory was much greater than what He took away. In Galilee and Judea there were Messianic hopes which would have been quickly fanned into flames if the miracles of Jesus were too widely publicized. As these people began to piece together the previous events, not only of the destruction of the pigs, but also the deliverance of Legion, they began to sense that there was One far more awesome, much more to be feared, than Legion. I was in a dialogue with an atheist regarding what he believes is one of many so-called biblical contradictions. Odd guy that I am, I actually find this sort of thing fun. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. To the evildoer, anonymity is always preferable to identification. Unfortunately, Christians [or those using the name] can be harsh, condemning and critical driving people further into sin and away from God. This man demonstrated all four characteristics. Lane, Mark, p. 182, fn. EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, The district of the Gerasenes probably included that of the Gadarenes; so that the demoniac of Gergesa belonged to the country of the Gadarenes and also to that of the Gerasenes, as the same person may, with equal truth, be said to live in the city or the state, or in the United States. September 2020 The people (nations) were divided up, and boundaries allocated' and the sons of god were put over these nations. rev2023.3.3.43278. Catholic Church. . They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Commentator R. C. H. Lenski states: The distance of these cities from the lake is immaterial for the narrative since this deals with the region that is near the lake and not with the vicinity of either of the cities to the lake.. You can flip a coin hoping for heads, but you know that tails is a very real probability. June 2020 As Jesus began to get back into the boat, the delivered demoniac pleaded with Him that he might accompany Him. (5) Torment. Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. The drowning of these pigs has caused a great deal of discussion amongst Bible students, for as a friend of mine once observed, Thats a lot of pork chops! Had our Lord achieved such a miracle today He would have been in deep trouble. Like it or not, demons and demonic activity are likely to become much more of a concern to you in days to come. In any event, they were not Israelites, as indicated by the fact that a herd of swine was being kept nearby, which would have been forbidden by the Mosaic Law, since swine were unclean animals (Leviticus 11:7-8). The exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8.28-34; Mark 5.1-20; Luke 8.26-39), frequently known as the Miracle of the (Gadarene) Swine and the exorcism of Legion, is one of the miracles performed by Jesus according to the New Testament. Note that the texts dont say Gerasa or Gadara, so they arent necessarily referring just to one of the cities. - And they came to the other side of the sea.The other side of the sea would be the south-east side of the sea. They were sacrificed by being thrown off a cliff. 111 Edersheim maintains that it must have been late the same night of the storm: Most writers have, indeed, suggested, that the healing of the demonized on the other side took place at early dawn of the day following the storm on the lake. The occult and every front for demonic influence and activity should be avoided like the plague. Evil is self-defeating in the end. Why do people like Jesus a lot? 10). September 2021 The pig tenders reported it far and wide, in city and country (verse 14). February 2021 Having been properly warned of the demonic underworld, let us not fall into the opposite error of absolute paranoia. Demonized individuals are not to be viewed so much as a pigeon hole category, as they are a continuem. Even in our sophisticated times, there is an intense interest in the supernatural and the occult. April 2021 Some appeared not to be oppressed by them so much as exploiting their powers (cf. Although the Gospels give us little information as to how individuals become targets of Satanic control, I would suggest for your consideration that they sometimes do so by leaving themselves open to Satanic influence. The Gerasenes were the people of the district of which Gerasa was the capital. It is now called Jerash and is a deserted ruin. June 2022 February 2017 There is no conflict, however, for Mark and Luke have apparently focused their attention on the most striking of the two. The sons of god ended up becoming the gods of these nations. On the other hand, Gadara is only six miles from the southern tip of the lake and could easily have given its name to the district.