Mark 4:35-5:20 | Who is this Jesus?!

In our last time together, we came to Mark chapter four, where Jesus takes an extended time to teach about the kingdom of God. The crowd on the shore could all hear Jesus speaking from the boat, but they were not all good listeners. Some listened intently, pondering every word, but most were simply casual listeners. They were attracted to Jesus’ parables, the simple stories he told from ordinary life, but they did not realize their deeper meaning. On the other hand, those who really wanted to learn about the kingdom of God could.

Following this section where Jesus teaches in parables, Mark returns to his more typical pattern of storytelling. The four miracle stories told in the next section, chapter 4 verse 35 through chapter 6 verse 6, are longer than most of Mark’s stories. Through these demonstrations of power, Jesus continues the slow unveiling of his identity. The two miracle stories we read, today, demonstrate Jesus as the mighty God, and not just that, but the mighty God who shows compassion.

Jesus Stills the storm (4:35-41)

Mark picks up the story of Jesus’ life at the end of his long day of teaching in parables from the boat.

Mark 4:35:

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
 Mark 4:35-38

This story is also included in Matthew and Luke, but Mark includes many eye-witness details that are not mentioned in the parallel versions. This is another indication that Peter was the likely source for Mark. We are told that this event occurred in the evening, at the end of his long day of teaching. We learn that Jesus was taken in the boat “just as he was.” In other words, they didn’t return to the shore, but simply turned the boat away from the crowd on the shore and headed across the lake.

Mark also tells us that there were other boats with them. Between Jesus’ fishermen-followers they had at least two boats, but there may have been other close followers who came along. In 1986, a fishing boat, later dated as between 120 B.C and A.D.40, was recovered from the mud on the northwest shore of Galilee. This boat could have fit 15 people and was propelled by four rowers. Jesus must have traveled in a similar boat.

Mark also is unique in telling us that Jesus was sleeping on a cushion. It is interesting that this is the only place in the gospel where we read of Jesus sleeping. Mark likely intends to make a connection to the story of Jonah, where we read of a boat at sea, a violent storm, a terrified crew, and a man of God sleeping. Jesus had complete trust in God, his father.

While Jesus was sleeping, the disciples were fighting for their lives. We read that “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.” The sea of Galilee is well known for its tempestuous weather, particularly in the evening. This deep lake, sitting almost 700 feet below sea level, is surrounded by high hills. The combination of low elevation and high hills funnels fierce winds onto the deep water, creating 8-10-foot-high waves.

“The disciples woke [Jesus] and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Mark, again, is the only writer to include the disciples’ sarcastic question. This is probably a verbatim memory of the disciples, and the reproach is softened in Matthew and Luke. The disciples interpret his sleep not as trust, but as indifference. The disciples anxious lack of faith was an extreme contrast with Jesus’ quiet assurance.

Did Jesus care? Oh yes! His actions show that he was filled with compassion for his fearful comrades. “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’” This is the same vocabulary Jesus used to silence the demon in Mark 1:25. Jesus addresses the wind and waves as a living entity, demonstrating his complete control. Mark relates this story like an exorcism in order to foreshadow Jesus’ triumph over demonic forces that we will see in the next story of the demon-possessed man.

At Jesus rebuke, “the wind died down and it was completely calm.” After Jesus rebuked the wind, he turned to rebuke the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Jesus did not rebuke them for a lack of knowledge but for a lack of faith, shown by fear. Well, now they were even more afraid! Mark says “they were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’”

Mark allows this question, which gives us the title for this podcast episode, to hang in the air, unanswered. “Who is this?” Asking this question provided a doorway for their faith because it addressed the important issue of Jesus’ identity. If Jesus was just a good man, a worthy teacher, even the Messiah sent from God, then faith was not required. But now they were beginning to see who Jesus really was, God himself. This demanded a faith response.

It is the same for you and me, today. Many people believe that Jesus was a good man, an important historical figure, and a great moral teacher, but if their understanding of him ends there, they will not come to him in faith. The identity of Jesus as God is the starting point of faith that leads to salvation.

It is ironic that when the disciples began to see Jesus as God, the mighty God, they were more terrified of Jesus than the storm. The supernatural among them was more frightening than any natural forces or even imminent death. God was right there sitting in the boat, and that was profoundly unsettling.

We might wonder, why did the disciples react so strongly to this miracle? They had already seen Jesus exhibit the power of God, when he cast out demons, healed a leper and healed a paralyzed man. What was so powerful about this miracle? In the ancient world, the forces of nature were believed to be the province of the divine. This was not just true of Israel but throughout ancient cultures. Humankind felt powerless in the face of storms, wind, or drought and developed various belief systems to bring structure to these uncontrollable forces. In the Hebrew scripture, which the disciples had heard since boyhood, it is only God Almighty who has the power to calm the storms of nature. 

For example, we read in Psalm 89, verses 8-9:

Who is like you, LORD God Almighty?
 You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
 You rule over the surging sea;
 when its waves mount up, you still them.
Psalms 89:8-9

Again in Psalm 107, we find this longer quotation in verses 23-32.

Some went out on the sea in ships;
 they were merchants on the mighty waters.
 They saw the works of the LORD,
 his wonderful deeds in the deep.
 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.
 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
 in their peril their courage melted away.
 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
 they were at their wits’ end.
 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
 and he brought them out of their distress.
 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
 the waves of the sea were hushed.
 They were glad when it grew calm,
 and he guided them to their desired haven.
 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
 and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
 and praise him in the council of the elders.
Psalms 107:23-32

Now that scripture was being acted out right in front of the disciples. “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!” 

In addition to the disciples, this story must have been meaningful to Mark’s first readers who were undergoing hot persecution under the reign of Nero. They too may have wondered, “Don’t you care if we are persecuted?”. If so, they were not the first nor the last to come to Jesus with that plea, “Don’t you care?” For them, as for us, Jesus had the same reply, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Jesus restores a ruined life (5:1-20)

Mark continues his story in chapter 5, verse 1.

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 
Mark 5:1

We need to pause our story for a moment to deal with a small detail of geography. The region of the Gerasenes was part of a larger area known as Decapolis, a loose affiliation of 10 cities that had been founded by Greek soldiers who settled there after the death of Alexander the Great. Alexander had aimed to conquer the world not only militarily but culturally, and his cohorts followed that same purpose, establishing the Greek institutions of theater, schools, and temples for the promotion Greek athletics, philosophy, literature, art and mythology. This region, then, was steeped in Greek culture.

This was Jesus’ first ministry journey outside Jewish territories. He deliberately took his disciples with him as he went to the Gentiles in preparation for their later missionary outreach to other peoples.

The term “Gerasenes” is an apparent reference to the city of Gerasa. Some manuscripts, however, use the term “Gadarenes,” which refers to the city of Gadara, the capital of the region. This was the description used by Matthew the tax collector, who may have even visited that more important city. Whether the city was Gerasa or Gadara, however, both lay at some distance from the shore of Galilee. Since the story we will soon read implies a seaside location, some skeptics claim that Mark made a mistake in his geography. But notice. Mark does not say that this event occurred in the city, but in the region of the Gerasenes. This is a more general locality than the bounds of a single city.

Interestingly, there is an archeological site in the Golan heights which contains the ruins of a Byzantine monastery. It is built at a place identified by tradition as the site of Jesus’ miracle in Mark 5. Located near another ancient city, Gergesa, it is on the east shore of Galilee, near a high promontory dropping to the sea, and there are caves nearby which could have been tombs. Just south of this location was a large Roman garrison established by the Roman general Pompey. This military base would have needed a secure supply of meat, which the local swine herders were willing to supply. As we will see, these details match our biblical story very well.

Mark does not give the purpose of Jesus’ trip across the lake. He simply said, “Let us go over to the other side,” and they did. Perhaps it was to give him an opportunity to teach his followers about who he was, or perhaps it was because Jesus knew who waited for him on the other side. A man living a totally ruined life. 

As we continue our reading from Mark 5:2, Jesus turns from calming a violent storm to calming a violent man.

When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
Mark 5:2-5

Mark implies that demonic powers were intent on prohibiting Jesus from entering the region. First a storm, which may have been demonic, nearly capsizes his boat, then a demon-possessed strongman hurls himself at Jesus. Rather than falling on Jesus to harm him, however, he falls on his knees before him. He prostrates himself in submission to the higher authority, perhaps even kissing his feet or the hem of his garment.

Notice the detailed description Mark gives of his human wretchedness. What a ruined life! First, we read that he came from the tombs. This one, who was possessed by demons, was treated like a leper, forced out of his home and village. The cave tombs became his habitat. Even in life he lived in the land of death. He also exhibited supernatural strength, but not for his benefit. Many had tried to subdue him, for his own good and for public safety, but without success. He tore the chains. He broke the irons on his feet. This word “subdue” was used to describe taming wild beasts, and that is what he had become. Night and day he would cry out and cut himself with stones, an act of self-harm or attempted suicide. His life was nothing but pain and sorrow. The demons were fixated on his destruction. That is their primary purpose in this world. They have no hope of ultimate victory but want to cause as much pain and suffering as possible before their judgement.

Such pain in this life! Listen to how Mark describes his actions.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
 “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
Mark 5:6-10

Notice the verb tense “Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man.’” This implies that the event unfolded in this order. When Jesus got out of the boat, immediately this wild man ran to meet him, trying to scare him off. Jesus commanded the demon to come out of him, then the man fell on his knees before him, acknowledging Jesus as the mighty God. Jesus asked his name and then the demon possessed man asked him not to send them out of the area.

Jesus cast the demon out without a lengthy, convoluted formula or magic spell, but with his simple command. As the mighty God, His word was enough. The demon possessed man had plenty to say, however. “What do you want with me?” This was his way of saying, “Mind your own business.” Then he acknowledges who Jesus is, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God.” This was a confession typical of Gentile polytheism. He acknowledged the God of Israel as the true God above all others. He confessed Jesus’ unique position in relation to God Almighty and his universal power. Throughout the gospel of Mark, it is the demons who have had the highest understanding of Jesus’ identity. They knew exactly who was superior and who was subservient. Finally, the demoniac pleaded, “In God’s name don’t torture me!” This might also be translated “Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” He used the strongest basis for an oath that he knew, the true God, though it was strangely ironic for the tormenting demon to plead to avoid his own torture.

This exorcism is different from Mark’s earlier ones. Jesus has already commanded the demons to come out, but they continue to bargain for their freedom.

The demon-possessed had already given Jesus the rightful name, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God.” Now Jesus asked him for his name. “My name is legion for we are many.” Notice the mismatch between “my name” and “we are many.” With his answer, the man makes no distinction between himself and the evil within. The demonic grip on this man was like the grip of the Roman legion on Palestine, subjugated less than a century earlier. Legion is a Latin military term for the largest troop unit in the Roman army. The size ranged throughout Roman history from 4200 to 6000. This name adds a militant image of a hostile army bent on destruction.

Mark continues the story,

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
Mark 5:11-13

The demons’ greatest fear was to be sent out of the area. Perhaps they felt that they were safe from Jesus, here outside Israel, but this is also one of several clues throughout the Bible which suggests that demons are territorial. “Send us among the pigs,” they begged. This was likely the combined herd of the entire village. A large herd of unclean animals would provide the perfect habitat for these unclean spirits. Jesus agreed to this request. 

The demons’ new home was short-lived, however. “The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake.” The waters that had almost taken the lives of the disciples now claimed the herd of pigs. When I read this story, I imagine a chaotic, noisy scene, thousands of swine feet pounding the earth over the brink of the precipice, squealing in fear and rage as they plunge into the water, then silence, an unnerving, deathly silence.

Mark tells us, 

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
Mark 5:14-17

When the people from the surrounding area came to see what had happened, they found the formerly possessed man “sitting there, dressed and in his right mind.” Now we learn a new detail. The only reason Mark mentions that the man was now dressed, is that he wasn’t before. Now we see a picture of a completely restored individual. The man has not only been restored to his right mind, but he is sitting in the discipleship position. Remember at the end of chapter 3, Jesus looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers” (3:34). This formerly ruined man now sits at Jesus’ feet.

The villagers were undoubtedly glad that they would no longer be accosted by a naked wild man while they went about their business, but they also were deeply impacted by the economic loss of their livestock. They began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. His power was too risky. 

Mark’s story continues,

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Mark 5:18-20

“The man…begged to go with him.” This is a description of discipleship. When Jesus chose his disciples, we read in Mark 3 that “he appointed twelve that they might be with him.” Now this man wanted to become one of Jesus’ followers. He begged to go with him.

There seems to be a lot of begging going on in this story. The demons beg to be sent into the pigs, and Jesus says, “OK.” The people from the surrounding countryside beg Jesus to leave their region and Jesus says, “OK.” This dear man begs that he might go with him and Jesus says, “No.” This was not because Jesus did not care about him, but Jesus had another calling for him. Instead of becoming a disciple, Jesus called him to become a missionary. “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.”

There is an important theological truth hidden in these final words of this story. Jesus told the man to tell how much the lord had done for him, and so the man went away and began to tell how much Jesus had done for him. For him, the Lord and Jesus are one and the same. With this message of Jesus’ identity, he became the first missionary for Jesus.

How did the people respond? Mark says, simply, “all the people were amazed.” We get a hint at this man’s missionary success later in Mark 7:31-32. There we read that Jesus traveled again to the region of Decapolis. This time, the people in the region had a totally different reaction to Jesus. “Some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him”. Notice! They heard that Jesus was in the area and their first thought was, “Oh, this man needs to see Jesus.” No longer did they ask him to leave. Now they begged him to heal their friend. 

This first missionary certainly had a story to tell. I imagine that he used his many scars as an object lesson to explain his former pain and ruin. “That was my old life,” he would say. “But Jesus had compassion on me. He delivered me from the evil within and made me what I am today.”

This Bible story offers hope to all who feel trapped in a ruined life. There is no end of ways that you and I can screw up our life, filling our days with sorrow and pain, but Jesus is still the mighty God who can deliver us from every addiction and every habit that keeps us bound. Just as importantly, he is still a compassionate God, willing to travel across the lake, at the end of a hard day, through a dangerous storm, in order to restore one ruined life. That is the kind of God that he is.

Final Comments

What a wonderful picture we have seen today of our mighty, compassionate Jesus! Next time we will revisit these same themes, as Jesus answers the plea of a desperate father to come heal his dying daughter. Along the way, a woman who has been sick for twelve years is freed from her suffering by simply touching the edge of Jesus’ cloak in faith. I look forward to examining these miracles with you.

If you have found this podcast helpful, I would appreciate your sharing it with your friends by word of mouth. social media or whatever means you have available. If you are in a small group that studies the Bible together, I have provided study questions in the episode notes that could form the basis for a group discussion. Thank you for your help in growing this Bible Wisdom today family.