Jesus Heals the Man with Many Spirits
Jesus encounters a man possessed by many unclean spirits in the region of the Gadarenes and sets him free.
Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39, Matthew 8:28-34
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The Story
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived among the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, 'What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God's name don't torture me!' For Jesus had said to him, 'Come out of this man, you impure spirit!'
Then Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?'
'My name is Legion,' he replied, 'for we are many.' And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The spirits begged Jesus, 'Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.' He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside. When the people came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, 'Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.' So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Jesus Sets a Man Free
Kids Version
Jesus and His disciples sailed across the lake to a new area. When they got out of the boat, they met a man who was in BIG trouble.
This man was controlled by evil spirits—lots of them! He was so strong that no chains could hold him. He lived in a graveyard, all alone, crying out day and night. It was so sad.
When the man saw Jesus, he ran to Him. The evil spirits inside him were scared of Jesus! They knew exactly who He was.
'What do you want with us, Jesus, Son of God?' they shouted.
Jesus asked, 'What is your name?'
'Legion,' they answered. 'Because there are many of us.'
Nearby, a huge herd of pigs was eating on a hillside. The evil spirits begged, 'If you make us leave, let us go into those pigs!'
Jesus said, 'Go.'
The spirits left the man and went into the pigs. The whole herd ran down the hill into the lake!
People from town came running to see what happened. And there was the man—sitting calmly, wearing normal clothes, completely healed! He was in his right mind!
The people were scared. They asked Jesus to leave.
The healed man wanted to go WITH Jesus. But Jesus said, 'No—go home and tell everyone what God has done for you!'
So the man went all through that area telling everyone how Jesus had saved him. Everyone was amazed!
No matter how trapped someone is, Jesus can set them free!
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Mark 5:1-20 (KJV)
1And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
2And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him .
5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
6But when he saw Jesus afar off , he ran and worshipped him,
7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
8For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
10And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
11Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
12And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
13And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. 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.
14And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
15And 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.
16And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
17And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
18And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
Memory Verse
“And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.”
— Mark 5:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Heals the Man with Many Spirits” in the Bible?
Jesus encounters a man possessed by many unclean spirits in the region of the Gadarenes and sets him free. This story is found in Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39, Matthew 8:28-34.
Where is “Jesus Heals the Man with Many Spirits” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Heals the Man with Many Spirits” is found in Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39, Matthew 8:28-34, in the book of Mark.
What can children learn from “Jesus Heals the Man with Many Spirits”?
This story teaches children about Jesus' power over evil, Transformation, Testimony, Restoration. A man was trapped by evil spirits and lived alone in a graveyard. Jesus set him completely free, and the man went and told everyone what Jesus did for him!