Mark 5:6-10

Mark 5:6 (KJB)
But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

Then when Jesus disembarked from the ship, the man whom the devils possessed had spotted Him from a distance, ran to Him and began to worship Him. The devils did not do this out of adoration, but they did it because they knew who He was since they were with Christ in Heaven before they took sides with Satan in his rebellion. Maybe the man himself had initiated the run to Jesus since the devils would have no power in the presence of Jesus and maybe here was deliverance from this life of torment.

Mark 5:7 (KJB)
And 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.

Here the devils, through the voice of the man, had cried out with a loud voice what did they have to do with Jesus who they knew was the Son of the most high God? They were now frightened because they were standing in front of the judge who was going to eventually sentence them to hell for eternity because of their rebellion with Satan. (Mat 25:41 KJV) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: They knew that there was coming a judgment day and they were fearful that this was that day. They were well aware that they would be tormented for eternity. (Rev 20:10 KJV) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. These devils hated God and showed it by their rebellion and now they are asking Jesus to swear by God that He will not torment them. This shows the craftiness of the kingdom of darkness, that they will even use the name of God to get their way, if possible.

Mark 5:8 (KJB)
For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

Then Jesus commands the devils to come out of the man and calls them exactly what they are, “unclean spirits.” “Come out” is in the Imperative Mood in the Greek making it a command. Normally, when Jesus commands the devils, they immediately obeyed His command but in this situation, there seems to be a permitted delay in obedience.

Mark 5:9 (KJB)
And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

Then Jesus asks him a question which was going to reveal the extent to which this man was possessed. It was not for the benefit of Jesus because He would have known it already but it would be for the benefit of His disciples and those around who were watching. Jesus asks the name of the devil which was possessing the man. The devil had responded that his name was Legion. The term “legion” was a term which came from the Roman Army and signified a company of about 6,000 soldiers. Now this term had come to mean something that was many and not necessarily 6,000. This man could have had 6,000 devils possessing him or a smaller number but nevertheless, Jesus wanted this to be made public. Out of this great company of devils, it seemed only one had done the talking, the others had remained quiet in the presence of Jesus.

Mark 5:10 (KJB)
And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

The devils probably had in their mind that Jesus was now going to sentence them to eternal damnation and that is why they requested that they not be sent away out of the country. It may also be that the devils prefer to inhabit places which are desolate and uncivilized, so the tombs would have been the place where they desired to stay and they hoped Jesus would grant it.

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