Mark 5

Mark 5:1

THey came over] Matthew 8:28.

of the Gadarenes] Gergasa and Gadara were neer, and the coast named from either, Matthew 8:28.

Mark 5:2

with an unclean spirit] Word for word, in an unclean spirit. Now he is said to be in it, because the spirit held him fast locked up, and as it were bound: or else it is a meer Hebrew phrase, as Exod. 6. 6, in a stretched-out arm, in the originall, is translated, with a stretched-out arm. In Matthew 8:28. two are mentioned; but this was more noted then the other.

Mark 5:6

and worshipped him] A great token of Christs divine power, that the devils should come to worship him.

Mark 5:7

I adjure thee by God] He useth the name of God, his judge and enemy, as a means to perswade Christ not to hurt him; whereas, men use to mediate by their friends. This shews Satans impudency.

Mark 5:8

For he said] Or, For he had said. Christs bidding him go out, was the cause of the former adjuration, v. 7.

Mark 5:9

What is thy name?] Christ asketh is name, to shew the greatnesse of his misery, and his wonderfull deliverance.

My name is Legion] A great multitude, like a Romane troop or regiment.

Mark 5:10

he besought him much] The chief devil, who spake for his fellows.

Mark 5:11

nigh unto the mountains] This whole countrey is, for the greater part of it, very hillie; for the mountains of Galaad run thorow it.

Mark 5:12

all the devils besought him] Which were in the man possessed: not all the devils in hell.

Mark 5:13

down a steep place into the sea] Strabo, in the sixteenth book, saith, that in Gadaris there is a standing pool of very naughty water, which if beasts taste of, they shed their hair, nails, or hoofs and horns.

Mark 5:17

to depart out of their coasts] Though Christ work miracles, yet many had rather enjoy their swine then him.

Mark 5:18

that he might be with him] Fearing lest the devil, in Christs absence, should again surprise him.

Mark 5:22

And behold] Matthew 9:18.

one of the rulers of the synagogue] The whole company assembled not disorderly; but in every synagogue there were certain men which governed the people.

Mark 5:23

lieth at the point of death] Or, lieth in extremity, or, is at the last gasp. Mat. 9. 18, he saith she was dead; but it sems that was after his servants, v. 35. of this chapter, had told him so.

Mark 5:25

which had an issue] Gr. being in an issue.

Mark 5:26

grew worse] Gr. going to the worse.

Mark 5:29

felt] Gr. knew, v. 33.

Mark 5:30

knowing in himself] As she knew that she was healed v. 29. so Christ knew that he had healed her.

that vertue had gone out of him] As heat goes out of the sun, to preserve the creatures, though the power of warming abide in the sun: so power of healing abode in Christ, though the effect of it were felt in the woman healed.

Who touched my clothes?] If Christ had not asked this question, the miracle might have been concealed, and God might have lost his glory.

Mark 5:34

be whole] Or, continue whole, as Daniel 1:21. and Daniel 9:25. Let it not return on thee. For she was healed before, v. 29.

Mark 5:35

Why troublest thou the Master] To go to thine house? for there is no hope of her.

Mark 5:36

Be not afraid] As if I could not raise thy daughter again; believe I can and will do it, and thou shalt see it done.

Mark 5:40

they laughed him to scorn] Because they were sure she was dead, Luke 8. 53.

but when he had put them all out] Such as mock and scorn Christ, are unworthy to be witnesses of his great goodnesse.

and them that were with him] The three disciples, mentioned, v. 37. which were enough to witnesse the truth: the rest he left without, to avoid ostentation.

Mark 5:43

that something should be given her to eat] To shew, that she was not revived onely, but also fully recovered.