It should also be observed that nowhere in the Old Testament (except in I Sam. 18). Nor was it the Jewish population of Galilee. 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. Jesus deserves the benefit of the doubt even when we don't have all the facts. DEUT 32:8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples, according to the number of the sons of God. No matter where you are on life's journey. The lesson of this passage is that Satan is a defeated foe. It's a curious passage with many unanswered questions. Rev. In the wake of new restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass, two American bishops spoke with EWTNs Raymond Arroyo Thursday about how their dioceses have responded. Although God's word does not name which cities were considered part of this region, Pliny's Natural History (c. 77 A.D.) lists these cities as Gerasa, Scythopolis, Hippos, Gadara, Pella, Philadelphia, Capitolias (Dion), Canatha, Raphana and Damascus. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. They likely were Gentiles and had been under the influence of the demonic principality of the region their whole life. He who feared His arrival now dreaded His departure. The demons freak out that Jesus is there because it's not time for them to be tormented by Him yet. monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. In the form of tongues as of fire, the Holy Spirit rests on the disciples on the morning of Pentecost and fills them with himself. (CCC 696). Then all the people of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Jesus to leave them alone, for they were seized . xiii. The scene which Mark presents is deliberately dark. I have always wondered what my Christian brothers had to say to the police officers by way of explanation. November 2014. Five squad cars converged on it. As an alternative to confinement, the demons posed the option of being permitted to enter the pigs, some 2,000 in number, feeding nearby. And the people there were scared, they recognised this, but more, they realised the significance of this. Although demon-possession after that time no longer occurs on such a devastating and noticeable scale, the absolute form of demon-possession will appear at the end of the age in the Antichrist and in his followers (2 Thess. Unfortunately, Christians [or those using the name] can be harsh, condemning and critical driving people further into sin and away from God. The nearby townspeople, upon hearing of the great miracle (and not wanting to suffer further economic loss), begged Christ to leave the Gadarenes and never come back! Privacy Policy. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. It is noteworthy that Jesus nowhere speaks of forgiveness of sins or of purification-sacrifices, that have to be brought after His curing of such cases (as He did in some cases of physical illness). The ego is so impaired that the spirits speak through him. The US Congress is currently debating whether TikTok should be banned for everyone in the US, not just government officials. If we put ourselves in their place, and use empathy to feel how we might have reacted if we were confronted with the loss of our next year's source of feeding our families, it will be easier to understand that they were afraid to suffer any other loss that might result if Jesus stayed in their area. The second question is an ethical one: What right had the Lord to inflict this loss on the owners of the swine?121 Put even more crassly, Huxley censored this act with these words: the wanton destruction of other peoples property is a misdemeanour of evil example.122. How to show that an expression of a finite type must be one of the finitely many possible values? . January 2018 110 C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1971), p. 3. 34When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. These, however, are not the problem raised by Bible students. Why would the Gerasene people beg Jesus to leave their region after He cast the demons into the pigs? February 2021 to men facing fear and death. A word of clarification is in order here for we must recognize that in this account the dark side of Satan is exposed, but this is perhaps the more unusual side of Satan. May 2018 And he said to them, Where is your faith? in a crowd in a crowd where many people were bumping into Him? Why would God tell King David to take a census of the people in verses one through nine, and then cast judgment on him because he did what he told him to do? Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Top Ten Reasons Why There Were Pigs In Gerasenes Remember the story of Jesus casting demons out of the crazy man in Luke 8? Instantly he recognized the Lord Jesus to be the Son of God (verse 7).116 There was a source of spiritual insight beyond human capabilities here. How Can a Person Get Rid of Evil Spirits. There is no true freedom and fulfillment apart from Jesus Christ, the Creator and Redeemer of men. They are happy in their sin and the consequences seem far away. In the King James Version it is called the country of the Gadarenes in Mark and Luke, and of the Gergesenes in Matthew. 5:5). Yet, conversely, the known can be just as scaryif not more. xvi. The people were afraid when they saw the possessed man healed. 0 Responses 13; Luke iv. December 2016 I used to want the longest life, perfect health and happiness, but really it is that feeling that I am so glad that this isnt all there is and that we have heaven to wait for, and that well be with Jesus, and there will be no more tears Amber VanVickle (1982-2023), The headquarters of the charity, which serves as a consecrated family to 46 disabled children, were badly damaged in major flooding near Rio de Janeiro last year. COMMENTARY: Atheism is generally the expression of a moral attitude more than a real intellectual conviction based on evidence thought through. In Acts 8:1 we have the regions of Judaea and Samaria (KJV), and in Acts 16:6, Galatia alone. The people were gentiles who had not yet any interest in the Messiah. 14. Those who have witnessed demon possession tell us that each demon has its own distinct personality and that the individual possessed begins to manifest the distinct personality of the demon by which he is possessed. That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. To the evildoer, anonymity is always preferable to identification. March 2016 Like it or not, demons and demonic activity are likely to become much more of a concern to you in days to come. For more information about Glenn Davis see our About Glenn page and/or his Author's Page. The people who witnessed this are . Asked October 24 2014 Well, it is because atheists, in their zealous rush to make fun of Christians, Christianity, and the Bible, start to lose their logical rigor and rationality, leading them to contend for implausible things: as presently. 8ff.). Was there some sort of unwritten rule that Darrow (or any non-Bellona) was supposed to throw the fight? Wasn't the answer obvious? What about us, as Christians, are we afraid of Jesus? It is Geldenhuys who gives us the most concise description of demon-possession: in the New Testament demon-possession means that a person is dominated by the spirit of a demon and tormented by him. And, lastly, this would allow sufficient time for those miracles which took place on that second day in Capernaum after His return thither. But having recalled a passage in Ephesians, I realize now that this man is a reminder of the dilemma of every man, woman, and child who have not come to a saving dependence upon the work of Jesus Christ for sinners on the cross. March 2022 in 1971. Luke 8:26-39 Mark 5:1-20 ESV - 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. Is it a bug? Those possessed are depicted throughout as unfortunate sufferers who by no fault of their own are dominated by evil spirits and who, when the spirits are cast out by Jesus, accept their deliverance with joy and gratitude (Mark v. 18-20, Luke viii. It was significant. Jesus asked some crazy questions like "Why are you afraid?" Why did the demons ask to be cast into the herd of pigs, and why did the pigs then run into the water to be drowned? In any event, they were not Israelites, as indicated by the fact that a herd of swine was being kept nearby, which would have been forbidden by the Mosaic Law, since swine were unclean animals (Leviticus 11:7-8). Mark 3:14). By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. 2). The capital of the region was Gerasa, and the largest city in the region was Gadera. Many New Testament manuscripts refer to the "Country of the Gadarenes" or "Gerasenes" rather than the Gergesenes. Is there any archaeological evidence for Joshua entering Israel and conquering cities in the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age? June 2020 They valued their pigs more than they valued salvation. We are seeking a replacement and hope to have it in your newspaper soon. Until we decide on a new comic, you'll likely see a gray box where "Dilbert" had appeared. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. How Satan blinds our minds! They were content where they were. As C. S. Lewis aptly put it: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. Verse 1. 4, p. 102. Such seems to be a similar case with Judas (John 13:1-2). I understand why," the HBO "Real Time" host told Jake Tapper on Tuesday as part . Another approach is to note the different intentions of the Gospel writers. 13ff.). It is something like the behavior and personality change in a man who is totally intoxicated. Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1951), p. 174. He seemed to view Jesus approach as the launching of a direct attack on the demonic forces. Although the Gospels give us little information as to how individuals become targets of Satanic control, I would suggest for your consideration that they sometimes do so by leaving themselves open to Satanic influence. There is no conflict, however, for Mark and Luke have apparently focused their attention on the most striking of the two. But, the pigs were a part of their economic wealth. They had heard what had happened to the pigs and knew the Jews considered Gentiles unclean, too. The region was not poor or economically depressed. The pig tenders reported it far and wide, in city and country (verse 14). August 2017 It is a violent tempest, that is, outside of the natural. 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. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. Immediately, as this weary group disembarked from the ship, they were met by what appeared to be a madman. It is very appropriate that these two incidents . They liked Him and wanted to be with Him. . Jesus had simply sailed across the Lake of Galilee to the region of the Gerasenes. For these demons to be sent out of the country would have meant that they would then be confined along with other fallen angels (cf. Sign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription. Such an entreaty can be addressed by them to only God. The typical explanation for the petition of the residents that Christ leave their country is that they were motivated by materialistic considerations. xii. Do roots of these polynomials approach the negative of the Euler-Mascheroni constant? Although the manifestations of demonization vary widely, this man115 evidenced several of the classic symptoms. To date they have failed to respond in any way. The Gospels use different names for the place where this occurred: This is supposedly a contradiction. Gerasa is (as we know) some 30-35 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, but may have also been the name of the larger region. Lukes reading Gergesenes may represent even more accurately the ancient name of this place, as Origen knew of a Gergesa on the lake of Galilee. Luke seems to base this fear solely upon what happened to the demoniac, not on the loss of their pigs. The entrance of the term into colloquial speech indicates that the Roman occupation was a heavy burden. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? If it is a feminine spirit, the voice will be a feminine one, if masculine then very manly. Jesus is conscious that He now breaks the power of the devil and his angels because He is the One in whom the dominion of God is present on behalf of humanity. W. Foerster, as quoted by Lane, Mark, fn. There probably were not many who had been told yet of the Messiah, and so were not yet believers. For many Christians today, the horrifying experience of Legion should be sufficient testimony of the reality of the Satanic underworld. No! It was greatly influenced by Greek culture.126. Matthew 8:28 - 29, 31, 34And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus among them? Dave Armstrong Dave Armstrong is a full-time Catholic author and apologist, who has been actively proclaiming and defending Christianity since 1981. The expression to be with Jesus is used particularly of His disciples (cf. Can devils entreat in such a manner any highest of angels, be he Michael, Gabriel or Raphael, or any greatest cherub or seraph? They were willing to post guards and chain and shackle their neighbor to keep him from hurting someone. Why did Jesus not allow demons to proclaim his name, Archaeological or Historical Support for the Gerasene Pigs. I think all these attempts to harmonize what may at first seem like a contradiction are plausible, respectable, and adequate. November 2016 They were sacrificed by being thrown off a cliff. 3. T. H. Huxley, in his Essays upon some Controverted Questions (1892), made merry over the escapade of the Gadarene swine, running the seven miles between Gadar and the lake of Galilee, crossing the deep river Yarmuk en route. For the Christian, there are two extremes which must be avoided with reference to Satanic activity. Also, the wholesale slaughter of these pigs dramatically illustrated the destructive purposes of the demons. e.g., Matt. The best human analogy might be in the area of drug abuse. A land that was essentially under another god (lower case g). What would happen to them? January 2016 January 2021 This reveals to us that demons have an intuitive knowledge of their impending doom.117. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). ), you also need to understand the significance of this - to the people in Gerasene. Ouija boards are found in many American homes. Perhaps they clenched their fists or picked up driftwood with which to defend themselves. Clarify As indicated in the textual note, the best Greek text reads Gerasenes in Mark and Luke, Gadarenes in Matthew. (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. Read the Scripture: Mark 4:35 - 5:20. March 2018 What did Jesus mean when he said only prayer can cast out this demon? August 2022 Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons. September 2022 Then any greatest of men, like any prophet, hero or king? According to another theory, the Chapati movement of 1857 was an attempt to prevent a cholera outbreak in central India. They look forward to their future with great dread. 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. This would also give time afterwards for the dispersion, not only into the city, but into the country of them who had fed the swine. . No one was strong enough to subdue him (verses 3,4). There seems to be no excuse here for the charge of contradiction. 68f. July 2016 There is the so-called demon of doubt, of anger, of overindulgence, of drunkenness, laziness and so on. This city was better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no city of Palestine was better known.. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. To understand this event, you need consider the incident at Babel, and Deuteronomy. September 2015 These men were a danger to themselves and others. We owe it to Josephus, from whom it has passed into ecclesiastical language. You can flip a coin hoping for heads, but you know that tails is a very real probability. 3 When the centurion 2 heard about Jesus, c he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his . Thus, all the circumstances lead us to regard the healing of the demonized at Gerasa as a night scene, immediately on Christs arrival from Capernaum, and after the calming of the storm at sea. Alford Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965), I, pp. May 2016 Pope Francis Inexhaustible Font of Words: 10 Gems From the Heart Over 10 Years, Pope Francis, Biden Commend Peacemaker Bishop OConnell as Memorial Services Begin. And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost? ii. Luke 8:26And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. NEW STAR WARS MERCH PAGE: https://bit.ly/3baWVZv For all sponsorship and business inquiries please contact: thestupendousscrub@gmail.com NEW CHANNEL: https:/. Some of the proposed answers to this question are totally unacceptable to an orthodox, evangelical Christian.123 By way of explanation, there are several factors which should be given serious consideration. December 2017 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. Whereas he had been a slave, he was now delivered from demon possession. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. It is mentioned in some ancient manuscripts of the . No matter where you are on life's journey you are welcome here! Lets face it, we all like to be in control. And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to depart from them; for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat, and returned (Luke 8:35-37). 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. Putting all of these factors together the term demon-possessed inplies too much. (2) Pork was a food forbidden to Jews, and as such, those who raised these pigs may have done so knowingly in violation of divine injunction. Some today have given demons far more than their due by blaming demons for every malady of mankind. Rather, they attributed the power of Jesus to Satan (Mark 3:22). Having been properly warned of the demonic underworld, let us not fall into the opposite error of absolute paranoia. Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? The best known Gerasa was a Greek city nearly forty miles southeast of the lake (modern village of Khersa, on the east shore of the lake. October 2018 Life with him would be heaven on earth. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. Jewish theology, at least on this point, seems consistent with biblical revelation. In fact the region was known as the Gadarenes-Gerasenes region. 125 This is the position of Lane, Mark, p. 187. So much pain, so much sin. Did Jesus command the demon before he fell on his knees in Mark 5:6? This makes sense, I couldn't believe they asked Jesus to leave. 127 The view of Greek philosophy was that these were the spirits of those who lived in the Golden Age. to sign up for our free Water Of The Word newsletter at the top of any page! Others cited unfaithfulness, lack of seriousness, and the lack of confidence to sustain a relationship. From this point on, Jesus began to speak to the crowds in parables in order to veil or conceal the gospel from those who had blasphemed the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:lff). Mark 5:1And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 128 In most of the stories of possession what is at issue is not merely sickness but a destruction and distortion of the divine likeness of man according to creation. Understand the meaning of Luke 8:37 using all available Bible versions and commentary. Acts 16:16), while others were the virtual pawns of these spirits, losing their own identity and autonomy. Like children convinced there are monsters under our beds, the unknown scares us. Women, children and defenceless people all admired Him and felt comfortable in His presence. 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. rev2023.3.3.43278. 2. The choice is to be free by submission to Christ (cf. You can like Jesus for two different reasons. This supposition would be further confirmed, if the evening when Jesus embarked was what the Jews were wont to call the first evening, that is, the time when the sun was declining in the heaven, but before it had actually set, the latter time being the second evening. For it seems most unlikely that multitudes would have resorted to Jesus at Capernaum after the second evening, or that either the disciples or other boats would have put to sea after nightfall. These people from the region of the Gerasenes had undoubtedly felt the anger or disgust of Jews for making a career out of such unclean animals, but Jesus had not criticized them for their profession. If Jesus had that kind of power, then He could not be controlled. March 2017 Have you even been in a service where the Spirit of God was moving and felt fear? Treasury of Scripture. Our children would probably understand best if I said that his appearance must have been somewhat like that of the television creation, The Incredible Hulk. Satans most effective tool is not the demoniac wandering about the desolate places. Brazilian Charity Caring for Children Who Survived Abortions Issues Urgent Appeal, Memento Mori: Remember You Are Going to Die, The Meat of the Matter: St. Patricks Day and the Lenten Fast. Early Christians like St. Polycarp clearly held the Catholic view on salvation. Pig carcasses were washing ashore and drifting out to sea. As these people began to piece together the previous events, not only of the destruction of the pigs, but also the deliverance of Legion, they began to sense that there was One far more awesome, much more to be feared, than Legion. 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].