This is probably the Gerasa of Mark and Luke. He seemed to view Jesus approach as the launching of a direct attack on the demonic forces. Thus, it is not always used of one specific country (nation), but rather, usually to regions or areas of either small (Bethlehem) or large (Judaea and Samaria) size, including regions surrounding large cities. July 2022 Thayers Greek Lexicon defines it as the space lying between two places or limits region or country. The Sea of Galilee was clearly one of the limits. 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). It was like being attacked by two Hulks. They probably thought of quickly getting aboard ship and pushing off. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Similar to the storm we see in the book of Job that killed Jobs sons - and Satan was the instigator of that as well. It became one of the proudest cities of Syria. It was situated some 30 miles southeast of Gadara, on the borders of Peraea and a little north of the river Jabbok. Embedded into both stories are people who were afraid of Jesus. December 2021 More from Medium Jameson Steward in. In this account we, by inference, learn much about the demonic spirits. (2) Anti-social behavior. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. The conduct of this pathetic individual was obviously anti-social. It was scary. They valued their pigs more than they valued salvation. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. The people who witnessed this are . 16, x. 13; Luke iv. 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. The center of personality, the volitional and active ego, is impaired by alien powers which seek to ruin the man and sometimes drive him to self-destruction (Mk. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. His greatest impact would be on those who knew his former state. How Can a Person Get Rid of Evil Spirits. Who was afraid of Jesus and why? Now appreciate the reaction - another God was messing with their god - and demonstrating authority! A Summary and Analysis of Jesus and the Gadarene Swine to sign up for our free Water Of The Word newsletter at the top of any page! Since the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave in their fear, it seems that Jesus' ability to exorcise Legion was disturbing to the people. Thus an economic lose of revenue was involved. Gerasa, Gadara, Gergesa - from where did the pigs stampede? Jesus asked some crazy questions like "Why are you afraid?" The whole story is a myth. How much more sinful than Peter were the Geraseneans, who because of love of money did not shun even to engage in a non-Jew business of herding swine; how much more unbearable and dreadful must have been for them the Lords presence! They were content where they were. They are happy in their sin and the consequences seem far away. Why would Jesus ask, "Who touched Me?" Pigs were seen as unclean animals in the eyes of the people of Israel. Privacy Policy. Why is this sentence from The Great Gatsby grammatical? As always, we must begin with the principle: Interpretation is one, application is many. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. The capital of the region was Gerasa, and the largest city in the region was Gadera. Why as the question? Like it or not, demons and demonic activity are likely to become much more of a concern to you in days to come. That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Although his symptoms would have appeared to be those of an insane man,113 the Gospel writers inform us that he was demon-possessed.114. No one was strong enough to subdue him (verses 3,4). 122 Quoted by Alfred Plummer, The Gospel According to Saint Luke, (Edinburg: T. and T. Clark, 5th ed., 1969): p. 228. From this it is clear that demon-possession is a phenomenon which occurred almost exclusively, but then to be sure on an amazing scale, during Jesus appearance on earth and to a lesser extent during the activity of the apostles. Luke 7 - And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." | ESV.org Sproul says in his commentary on Mark, When the Holy One is manifest in the midst of unholy people, the only appropriate human response is dread.. 4, p. 102. Why was Jesus going to walk past the disciples as they were rowing on the Sea of Galilee? We will examine two incidents -- the stilling of the storm on the sea of Galilee, and that which follows immediately, the healing of the demoniac. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 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. But about a mile further south there is a fairly steep slope within forty yards from the shore, and about two miles from there cavern tombs are found which appear to have been used for dwellings. William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), p.181. when He was the only One Who truly knew what had happened. October 2022 One is to disbelieve in their existence. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. Although it is often claimed that Christians were persecuted for their refusal to worship the emperor, general dislike for Christians likely arose from their refusal to worship the gods or take part in sacrifice, which was expected of those living in the Roman Empire. (3) Our Lord was moved with compassion by the torment of Legion and the loss of these pigs should in no way dim our view of the deliverance of the demoniac. Why did Jesus not allow demons to proclaim his name, Archaeological or Historical Support for the Gerasene Pigs. (4) Our Lord did not command the demons to enter into the pigs and bring about their destruction; He only permitted it.124. 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. It only takes a minute to sign up. This makes sense, I couldn't believe they asked Jesus to leave. 118 H. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear (Luke 8:35-37). Just as demons desire to possess persons through whom they can exhibit their personalities, so the Spirit of God indwells man, imparting new life, and progressively gaining control so that the character of God is exhibited, but not in such a way as to hinder our individuality and identity. Why are you Afraid? | Mark 4:35 - 5:20 | RayStedman.org Even in our sophisticated times, there is an intense interest in the supernatural and the occult. Early Christians like St. Polycarp clearly held the Catholic view on salvation. When once he was an instrument of Satanic opposition against the Messiah, now he is a witness to His power. No matter who you are. xvi. They had dealt with Legion (I suspect) by forcing him from their presence. 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. October 2015 The house that is left swept and clean is a likely target for Satanic influence (cf. Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant. Lane believes the modern Kersa is the most likely place: The point of arrival is indicated in a general way as the district of the Gerasenes, most probably in reference to a town whose name is preserved in the modern Kersa or Koursi. In Jewish thinking, spirit beings were assigned to certain geographical territories.120. The people were more terrified of Jesus and His authority than they were of this crazed and demonized man living among the tombs. The expression to be with Jesus is used particularly of His disciples (cf. ESV - What would happen to them? May 2016 The ego is so impaired that the spirits speak through him. And, Gerasene was one. Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? And, it can not be understood properly out of this context. (London: InterVarsity Fellowship, 1950), fn. Why do people like Jesus a lot? March 2016 November 2020 This man demonstrated all four characteristics. Lane, Mark, p. 182, fn. What was the country of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes) and why is it What did Jesus do? Jesus had freed the man and for a reason known only to Himself, He had granted the demons request to go into a nearby herd of pigs rather than go into the Abyss [bottomless pit]. 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. Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. The word translated windstorm here, and storm in the KJ, is the word lailaps, which is more than just a storm. February 2017 This was surely not so in every case, and perhaps in none. And when the man spoke to Jesus, it looks like the demons inside the man were the ones doing the speaking. 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? Give a Gift SubscriptionBless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register. How Satan blinds our minds! March 2018 Top Ten Reasons Why There Were Pigs In Gerasenes Instead of opening themselves up to Jesus and receiving His love and forgiveness, they allowed fear to drive a wedge between them. 10). Christians are to be a "safe" people - an expression of that love of God so people who do not know Him can be drawn to the Truth. So who was afraid? Chapati Movement 1857: Why were the British afraid of the Roti? September 2018 The Gadarenes' Rejection | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. rev2023.3.3.43278. The Gadarenes was the place where Jesus confronted a man whose possession by demons gave him a level of superhuman strength like Samson (Mark 5:3 - 5, Luke 8:27). The presence of holiness and, moreover, the most intense divine holiness is undesirable; I mean, unless you are an angel or a saintly recluse in his ascetic toils in a cave or a top of a pillar. September 2021 2,8) who can possess men and animals. "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. In recent years the matter has been getting uncomfortably close to home.