Mark 5 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Mark 5:1-13

A. Find Out:

1. Where did the man live? v.3a

This man lived in the tombs

2. What had people tried to do and what had happened? v.3b,4

no one could bind him any more, 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

3. How did he behave towards himself? v.5

he would cry out and cut himself with stones

4. How did he react to Jesus? v.6,7

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? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!”

5. How did the demons identify themselves? v.9

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”

6. What did they do in the pigs? v.13

the evil 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.

B. Think:

1. From this man’s behaviour how would you describe the activity of demons when they are allowed access?
2. What are we shown about Jesus’ relationship to the demonic powers?
3. How are verses 1 to 5 in stark contrast to verses 6 to 13?

C. Comment:

This passage gives us remarkable insight into some of the horrible characteristics of demons. They do manifest themselves in different ways but these are common. First they create self-destructive tendencies with great inner anguish, preferring to dwell alone in the shadow of death. Second, they try to isolate the individual and make him thoroughly anti-social often through violence and they often give great strength by which to cause harm to others. Finally in respect of Jesus, they recognise his sovereign power and authority, and although there may be initial token resistance, they HAVE to give way to that authority. What He commands, they MUST do.

Although demonic powers are real we must remember that they are just part of God’s created world and that He is the all powerful One who is over all! With His Spirit within we have nothing to fear (1 John 4:4). We need to realise that demons are very real, but should also be careful not to confuse works of the flesh with demonic beings, else we remove individual responsibility for repentance.

D. Application?

1. Thank and praise the Lord that His power is so much greater than demons.
2. Look up and memorize James 4:7 and 1 Peter 5:9 and thank the Lord for the truth they reveal.

Passage: Mark 5:14-20

A. Find Out:    

1. Who spread the news? v.14

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside

2. What was the man like when they came back? v.15

the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind

3. What was their response? v.15c, 17

they were afraid  … the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region

4. What did the man himself ask of Jesus? v.18

the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.

5. What did Jesus instruct him to do? v.19

“Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you,

6. What effect did it have? v.20

all the people were amazed

B. Think:

1. Why do you think the local people wanted Jesus to go away?
2. What was the man like before (see v.2-5) and after he had encountered Jesus?
3. Why did Jesus want him to stay on there?

C. Comment:

Strange happenings are talked about, and this episode is no exception. The news spreads and people come to see. What they find unnerves them. The man who they had known with fear, who had dominated this area with his violent outbursts and wild appearance is now dressed and perfectly calm, in other words, a different man!

The next response of the people may appear strange at first sight as they beg Jesus to leave, but the key word is “Then” in v.17 which immediately follows their having been told about the death of the large herd of pigs. Suddenly they start thinking about their own welfare. Perhaps their livelihood might be affected by this preacher from across the lake. Many people are very happy to hear about Jesus bringing wholeness but if it means challenging the moral basis of their lives that is different!

The fact is that when Jesus enters a person’s life, he completely remakes it (see John 1:12,13) and that involves every area of his life, and for some people that is not acceptable, they prefer to stay as they are relying on their own efforts – without God’s blessing!

D. Application?

1. Praise and thank the Lord for the incredible change He brought about in this man’s life.
2. Have you allowed Jesus to touch every area of your life?

Passage: Mark 5:21-29

A. Find Out:

1. How did Jairus approach Jesus? v.22

Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet

2. What did he ask of Jesus? v.23

Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live

3. What was physically wrong with the woman? v.25

a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years

4. What had happened to her over the years? v.26

She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.

5. Why did she touch Jesus? v.27,28

she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.

6. What immediately happened? v.29

Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering

B. Think:

1. What does Jairus’s request show us of his belief about Jesus?
2. What do the woman’s actions tell us about her belief about Jesus?
3. How therefore were Jairus and the woman different?

C. Comment:

We first see a desperate father pleading with Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. Although a religious leader, his faith is not such that he can say, “Just say a word and she’ll be healed.” (see Matthew 8:8) Nevertheless Jesus consents and goes for such is Jesus compassion that he doesn’t demand perfect faith!

Then comes this lady who, over the years, would have felt thoroughly run down by her affliction and depressed by the constant failure of doctors who had been unable to do anything. Perhaps feeling embarrassed, as a Jewish woman speaking to a man about her affliction, and also perhaps thinking so little of herself after all she had been through, the thought of openly speaking to Jesus was too much for her. As low as she feels she has faith which believes a mere touch would be sufficient.

Jairus and the woman are complete contrasts. He is a religious leader. She is an afflicted nobody. He has faith that says come and heal. She has faith that says a simple touch will be enough. We all have different levels of faith but Jesus will meet us where we are, whichever level we are at!

D. Application?

1. Even if you feel quite unworthy of Jesus’ love, He still loves you!  
2. Have you the faith just to reach out for the slightest touch? He will meet you. Jesus will meet you whatever your faith level.

Passage: Mark 5:30-36

A. Find Out:

1. What happened when the woman was healed? v.30a

Jesus realized that power had gone out from him

2. Why were the disciples surprised? v.31

You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, `Who touched me?’ “

3. How did the woman respond? v.33

the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.

4. How did Jesus speak to her? v.34

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

5. What message was brought to Jairus? v.35

some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said.

6. What 2 things did Jesus instruct him? v.36

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

B. Think:

1. What do you think Jairus felt like when Jesus stopped?
2. What do you think he felt like when the news of his daughter was brought to him?
3. What does this passage tell us about Jesus?

C. Comment:

Jesus is, in the eyes of most people, on a “mercy dash” to save Jairus’s daughter. Probably as far as Jairus is concerned the faster they go the better. Suddenly Jesus stops and starts questioning the crowd. Jairus’s heart must have also almost stopped!

Observe first of all, Jesus who is in total control of the situation. He knows he has power to raise the dead (Jairus’s daughter) if necessary and so he knows he doesn’t have to rush to reach her. He also knows someone in need has reached out in faith to receive healing from him, and he wants them to identify themselves. He probably knew who it was, but perhaps he wants her to receive full assurance about her healing. When she responds he simply confirms her healing and sends her off with his blessing. Very often when we have been prayed for, it is good to have a clear confirmation that it has truly happened.

While this was happening, the news about his daughter comes to Jairus. Jesus knowing the truth says to resist fear BY believing. That is how to deal with fear – by believing in Jesus. When we know Jesus as the one who is sovereign control, we can rest secure and at peace!

D. Application?

1. Thank the Lord that He is in full control of all events and has the power to deal with every emergency.
2. Are you open about your faith?

Passage: Mark 5:37-43

A. Find Out:

1. Who only, did Jesus allow to go with him? v.37

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James

2. What did they find when they arrived? v.38

Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly

3. What did Jesus say the girl was doing? v.39

The child is not dead but asleep

4. How did the people respond? v.40a

they laughed at him

5. So what did Jesus do with them? v.40b

he put them all out

6. How did Jesus restore the girl? v.41

He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).

B. Think:

1. Why do you think Jesus only let his closest disciples come with him?
2. Why do you think he put all the mourners out?
3. Why do you think he told them not to tell anyone?

C. Comment:

Continuing on to Jairus’s house, Jesus stops the crowd following. Easy to say, more difficult to do but Jesus had the authority so manages it, and so just the closest disciples went on with him. At the home the mourners there are fully convinced the worst has happened. When Jesus tries to tell them that it hasn’t they laugh at him. They are clearly in faith for death! To remove their unbelief from the scene, Jesus sends them all out of the house.

It is an important lesson: unbelief is contagious! When we are seeking to move in faith, if there are doubters around, it is well to separate from them! Have only those full of faith with you.

For Jesus sleep and death are the same thing and so with quiet authority he commands the girl to get up – so she does! Such is the authority of Jesus. If it is in God’s purposes, there is NOTHING that Jesus cannot do (beyond going against His own character).

Jesus only taking a few with him to witness this miracle may be linked with his instruction not to tell anyone. Jesus came to reveal the truth to people but people were often more concerned with personal blessing rather than the truth, and so can crowding to Him to be blessed only. Sadly that is still often true today.

D. Application?

1. Do we communicate faith or unbelief to others by our lives?
2. Do we seek to know Him or simply to get blessing from Him?