Mark – Chapter 5

New Testament43 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 5 of Mark begins: "And they came over the strait of the sea, into the country of the Gerasens." The chapter centers on James, Peter and John. Across its 43 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and the work of the Spirit. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And they came over the strait of the sea, into the country of the Gerasens.

2And as he went out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the monuments a man with an unclean spirit,

3Who had his dwelling in the tombs, and no man now could bind him, not even with chains.

4For having been often bound with fetters and chains, he had burst the chains, and broken the fetters in pieces, and no one could tame him.

5And he was always day and night in the monuments and in the mountains, crying and cutting himself with stones.

6And seeing Jesus afar off, he ran and adored him.

7And crying with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus the Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not.

8For he said unto him: Go out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

9And he asked him: What is thy name? And he saith to him: My name is Legion, for we are many.

10And he besought him much, that he would not drive him away out of the country.

11And there was there near the mountain a great herd of swine, feeding.

12And the spirits besought him, saying: Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

13And Jesus immediately gave them leave. And the unclean spirits going out, entered into the swine: and the herd with great violence was carried headlong into the sea, being about two thousand, were stifled in the sea.

14And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city and in the fields. And they went out to see what was done:

15And they came to Jesus, and they see him that was troubled with the devil, sitting, clothed, and well in his wits, and they were afraid.

16And they that had seen it, told them, in what manner he had been dealt with who had the devil; and concerning the swine.

17And they began to pray him that he would depart from their coasts.

18And when he went up into the ship, he that had been troubled with the devil, began to beseech him that he might be with him.

19And he admitted him not, but saith him: Go into thy house to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had mercy thee.

20And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men wondered.

21And when Jesus had passed again in the ship over the strait, a great multitude assembled together unto him, and he was nigh unto the sea.

22And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue named Jairus: and seeing him, falleth down at his feet.

23And he besought him much, saying: My daughter is at the point of death, come, lay thy hand upon her, that she may be safe, and may live.

24And he went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him.

25And a woman who was under an issue of blood twelve years,

26And had suffered many things from many physicians; and had spent all that she had, and was nothing the better, but rather worse,

27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind him, and touched his garment.

28For she said: If I shall touch but his garment, I shall be whole.

29And forthwith the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the evil.

30And immediately Jesus knowing in himself the virtue that had proceeded from him, turning to the multitude, said: Who hath touched my garments?

31And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou who hath touched me?

32And he looked about to see her who had done this.

33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34And he said to her: Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be thou whole of thy disease.

35While he was yet speaking, some come from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying: Thy daughter is dead: why dost thou trouble the master any further?

36But Jesus having heard the word that was spoken, saith to the ruler of the synagogue: Fear not, only believe.

37And he admitted not any man to follow him, but Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38And they cone to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he seeth a tumult, and people weeping and wailing much.

39And going in, he saith to them Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40And they laughed him to scorn. But he having put them all out, taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41And taking the damsel by the hand, he saith to her: Talitha cumi, which is, being interpreted: Damsel (I say to thee) arise.

42And immediately the damsel rose up, and walked: and she was twelve years old: and they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43And he charged them strictly that no man should know it: and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Important Verses in Mark 5

And they came over the strait of the sea, into the country of the Gerasens.

Mark 5:1

And crying with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus the Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not.

Mark 5:7

And he admitted him not, but saith him: Go into thy house to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had mercy thee.

Mark 5:19

And he said to her: Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be thou whole of thy disease.

Mark 5:34

Historical Context

Mark belongs to the New Testament and was composed for persecuted Christians in Rome, strengthened to follow the crucified Lord. Chapter 5 of 16 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 43 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on James, Peter and John, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "And they came over the strait of the sea, into the country of the Gerasens." The final verse reads: "And he charged them strictly that no man should know it: and commanded that something should be given her to eat. " In terms of historical background, The earliest and shortest Gospel moves with urgency—'immediately' is its favorite word—presenting Jesus as the Son of God revealed above all on the Cross. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 65-70, probably in Rome.

Who Wrote It

John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; early tradition calls him Peter's interpreter

When It Was Written

About AD 65-70, probably in Rome

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Mark 5 presents a concrete episode in the history of Jesus as the suffering Servant and Son of God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And they came over the strait of the sea, into the country of the Gerasens." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Mark 5 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Mark emphasizes the mystery of Christ's identity (CIC 515). St. Gregory the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 958).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.

People in This Chapter

James2 mentionsPeter1 mentionJohn1 mention

Reflection for Today

Mark Chapter 5 belongs to the New Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Mark emphasizes the mystery of Christ's identity (CIC 515). Here the believer is invited to ponder perseverance through trial.

May your reading of Mark Chapter 5 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how The Son of Man came to serve and give His life as a ransom applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mark Chapter 5 about?

Mark 5 contains 43 verses. It opens with "And they came over the strait of the sea, into the country of the Gerasens." and closes with "And he charged them strictly that no man should know it: and commanded that something should be given her to eat. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Mark 5?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And they came over the strait of the sea, into the country of the Gerasens." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Mark Chapter 5?

This chapter mentions James, Peter, John.

Who wrote Mark and when?

John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; early tradition calls him Peter's interpreter. About AD 65-70, probably in Rome.

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