Matthew Cresse
11 Nov. 2023
BIBL110 (002)
Studying the Gospel Passage of Mark 5:1-18
I. Observation
A. I have read my selected passage in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or
CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will
find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
oYes
oNo
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
Jesus, the demon possessed man, and Legion (the demons)
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
Jesus comes to a country called Gadarenes were he encounter a demon possessed that is
so taken over that nobody can seem to control him. However, once the demons spot Jesus
they run to Him and beg Jesus not to torture or cast them out, but Jesus only asked for
their name, in which they reply “Legion” because of the vast number of demons there
were. They once again beg Jesus not to harm them and instead allow them to possess a
herd of pigs that were pasturing nearby, Jesus allows this. The demons then possess the
pigs, who then run off the cliff, and are killed. The people of Gadarenes hear about all
this and cast Jesus out saying they don’t want Him there. Jesus leaves, and the once
possessed man is told to go back and tell the country all that the Lord has done for him.
3. Story structure: (50-100 words)
Introduction:
Jesus arrives at the country of Gadarenes were he encounters a demon possessed man.
Inciting incident:
The demon possessed man who is so rabid that nobody seems to be able to control him,
runs to Jesus and begs Him not to torture or cast them out. Jesus then asked for their
name which they reply “Legion” because of the vast number them that possess then man.
Rising action:
The demons once again ask Jesus to not torture them, but instead allow them to possess a
herd of pigs that was pasturing nearby.
Climax:
Jesus allows for the demons to possess the pigs, and at once the demons flee into the pigs,
who then run off a cliff and are killed. The possessed man is healed!
Falling action:
The people of the country hear about all that has happened, are not happy with Jesus, and
ask Him to leave.
Resolution:
Jesus departs, and the once demon possessed man wishes to go with Him. However,
Jesus turns him away and says to go back to his own country and tell the people all that
the Lord has done for him.
C. List basic observations about this passage.
1. Who:
oJesus
oThe demon possessed man
oLegion (the demons)
oThe pigs
oThe people of Gadarenes
2. What:
Jesus comes to a country called Gadarenes were he encounter a demon possessed that is
so taken over that nobody can seem to control him. However, once the demons spot Jesus
they run to Him and beg Jesus not to torture or cast them out, but Jesus only asked for
their name, in which they reply “Legion” because of the vast number of demons there
were.
They once again beg Jesus not to harm them and instead allow them to possess a herd of
pigs that were pasturing nearby, Jesus allows this. The demons then possess the pigs, who
then run off the cliff, and are killed.
The people of Gadarenes hear about all this and cast Jesus out saying they don’t want
Him there. Jesus leaves, and the once possessed man is told to go back and tell the
country all that the Lord has done for him.
3. Where:
Region of Gadarenes
4. When:
During Jesus’ three-year ministry
Right after speaking to the crowds
5. Why:
Why did the demons cower before Jesus?
Because they knew He was the Son of God, who has power over all things
Why did Jesus ask for their name?
Jesus may have been demonstrating His authority to the people, by displaying no
amount of demons have any power with Christ.
Why did Jesus allow the demons to possess the pigs?
Jesus may have been displaying His wonderful mercy by allowing the demons
one last chance before they were sent to the eternal abyss.
Why did the people send Jesus away?
Probably out of fear.
6. How:
How did Jesus heal the demon possessed man?
Because He is Jesus, the Son of the Highest God, who has power over everything,
and everyone.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs explain what you
think the author is trying to communicate in this passage.
The story of the demon possessed man, is essentially a complete story of the merciful and
redeeming nature of Jesus, as well as Christ’s authority over all things. Jesus
demonstrated His love and mercy by healing the demon possessed man, setting him free,
and allowing him the joyful experience to go out to his own people and share the love of
God, and all that He had done in his life. Jesus displayed His authority when the demons
came to Him and begged Him to not torture them, so instead He allowed them to go into
the pigs.
This should be so special to all Christians regarding their own salvation, for we are all
freed by the mercy and grace of Jesus, and because of that we should all be going out and
preaching the love of God wherever we go. We should also fear no evil, for God is all
powerful, having authority over all things.
B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able
to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
God is an all-powerful God. Having authority over all things. Because of that, as
followers of Jesus, we should fear no evil.
III. Correlation
A. How does this passage from the New Testament fit within the metanarrative of the Bible?
State what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and
explain why you believe this to be so.
The story of the demon possessed man, fits within the redemptive as well as the new
creation narrative of Jesus and His ministry. The man was so heavily oppressed by
demons that nobody seemed to be able to help him. But when Jesus shows up and casts
out the demons, He shows His power over the darkness and redeems the man to become a
new creation. In turn the man is now given the task to go and preach all that God did for
him.
B. How does the principle you discovered in the text fit with the overall message of Scripture?
This principle is the one you have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If
your principle is a true Biblical principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures.AWhere is
the principle discovered in this New Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures?
The world in which we live is full of darkness and fear of the unknown, many time this
leads us to ponder the authority of God. But God is all powerful having authority over all.
And just like Jesus demonstrated His authority casting out the demons from the man in
this passage, and giving new life to the man, So He has also shown a similar act of
authority by raising Lazarus from the dead. In both passages Jesus showed us His
authority in giving new life to all that He wants to.
C. How does this passage reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ?
This passage as stated directed primarily on the authority of Jesus’ ministry and work, but
it also gave us a glimpse of Jesus’ mercy and grace to this fallen world. By casting out
the demons from that man, Jesus gave us a picture that He is the Savior. He is doing the
same work even now, saving all of us from the darkness and evil that is this world, and
the even greater darkness that is to come.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions.
A. The question of duty
As Christians we have the responsibility to share the love of Christ to all as commanded by
Jesus in the Great Commission. When Jesus healed the man and told him to go back to his own
country and tell about all that God had done for him, in essence this was a picture of what
Christians ought to do every singe day. We must share the love of Christ, and how He has
saved each and every one of us from the power of Hell and darkness.
B. The question of character
Through the character of the man obeying Jesus and turning back to his own country to
proclaim the good news of Christ, so we also must turn to this fallen world and announce the
goodness of God to all peoples and nations.
C. The question of goals
The goal of all Christians should be the Great Commission. We have the ability to evangelize
everywhere we go. It is never a bad time to share the good news.
D. The question of discernment
There is a greater evil in this world, whose sole purpose is to terrify and destroy. At times this
can discourage and even scare Christians into shutting up their mouths and cowering away
hoping not to be harmed. But as we have seen Christ has authority over all evils. That alone
should give Christians all the more reason in being bold and proclaiming the Gospel through
all circumstances. For even if evil comes, we should not fear it, because ultimately God is in
control.
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