King James Version

What Does Mark 5:15 Mean?

Mark 5:15 in the King James Version says “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And 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.

Mark 5:15 · KJV


Context

13

And 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.

14

And 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.

15

And 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.

16

And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

17

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They found the formerly possessed man 'sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind'—complete transformation. 'Sitting' (καθήμενον) contrasts with previous violence and wandering. 'Clothed' (ἱματισμένον) contrasts with nakedness (Luke 8:27). 'In his right mind' (σωφρονοῦντα) contrasts with demonic insanity. The transformation is comprehensive: physically peaceful, socially restored (clothed), mentally sound. The phrase 'him that was possessed with the devil' (τὸν δαιμονιζόμενον) uses perfect participle indicating past state—he's no longer possessed. Their response: 'they were afraid' (ἐφοβήθησαν). Paradoxically, they feared healed sanity more than violent madness—divine power disturbed them more than demonic destruction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The transformation's completeness authenticated exorcism. Ancient exorcisms, when successful, sometimes left victims disoriented or traumatized. Jesus' exorcisms produced complete, immediate wholeness. The man sitting peacefully 'at Jesus' feet' (Luke 8:35) indicates grateful discipleship posture. Clothing represents restored human dignity and social reintegration—naked madman becomes respectable community member. 'In his right mind' meant restored rationality, self-control, normal function. The townspeople's fear reveals uncomfortable truth: divine intervention disrupts comfortable status quo. Early church emphasized salvation's transforming power. Church history records countless dramatic conversions producing similar radical transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the man's complete transformation demonstrate salvation's comprehensive nature—spiritual, mental, social, physical?
  2. What does the townspeople's fear reveal about human resistance to divine intervention's disturbing power?
  3. How does your life evidence Christ's transforming power, and what areas still need His healing touch?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
καὶ1 of 20

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔρχονται2 of 20

they come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς3 of 20

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν4 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦν5 of 20

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

καὶ6 of 20

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θεωροῦσιν7 of 20

see

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

τὸν8 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δαιμονιζόμενον9 of 20

him that was possessed with the devil

G1139

to be exercised by a daemon

καθήμενον10 of 20

sitting

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

καὶ11 of 20

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἱματισμένον12 of 20

clothed

G2439

to dress

καὶ13 of 20

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σωφρονοῦντα14 of 20

in his right mind

G4993

to be of sound mind, i.e., sane, (figuratively) moderate

τὸν15 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐσχηκότα16 of 20

and had

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τὸν17 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λεγεῶνα·18 of 20

the legion

G3003

a "legion", i.e., roman regiment (figuratively)

καὶ19 of 20

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐφοβήθησαν20 of 20

they were afraid

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 5:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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