MARK 5:10-13 with Mat. 8:28-34 and Luke 8:26-37

This incident shows the only case of demon possession of animals. But in that case, there is no control or benefit to the demons.

 

THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE SWINE

 

On the east side of the Sea of Galilee was a small town in the region of the Gerasenes (Gergesenes), probably known as khersa.

The larger city in the region, about 30 miles south was called Gerasa.

Along the shore were many caves that served as tombs for the region. And not too far from the caves there was ample grazing room for the swine herds tended by the Gentile herdsmen.

The main road running north to south had access to the shore at various places. But in this area of Khersa, travel was often interrupted by the two demon possessed men who came out of the tombs to oppress the travelers.

Mat. 8:28, "so exceedingly violent that no one could pass by that road."

Previously, there was only one man. The second one joined him later after escaping imprisonment by the people of the city.

Mark 5:3-4, "and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him."

Luke 8:29, "for oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven by the devil into the wilderness."

This one, "constantly night and day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out and gashing himself with stones."

(Mark 5:5).

 

As Jesus and His disciples came ashore in this area, the two demon possessed men came out of the tombs to oppress them.

Mat. 8:28, "And when he had come to the other side of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon possessed me him."

Mark 5:2, "and immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him."

Jesus immediately rebuked the demon, "He was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man." Luke 8:28.

When this happened the men came up to Jesus and one of them ran up and bowed down before Him." Mark 5:7.

And both of them proclaimed, "what do we have to do with you, Son of God. Have you come here to torment us before the time?"

Mat. 8:29.

One of them said, "What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the most high God? I implore you by God do not torment me."

For He had been saying to him, 'come out of the man you unclean spirit." Mark 5:7-8; Luke 8:28-29.

Luke 8:30, "and Jesus asked him, what is your name? And he said, we are legion for we are many ."

And the man entreated Him not to send them out of the country. Mark 5:10.

And not to command them to depart into the abyss." Luke 8:31 

Mark 5:11-13, "Now there was a large herd of pigs feeding [a]nearby on the mountain. 12 And the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us into the pigs so that we may enter them.” 13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the pigs; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea."

Demon Possession

1. Definition: "Demon possession is a condition in which one or more evil spirits (or demons) inhabit the body of a human being and can take complete control of their mind at will." (Unger).

A. The demon expresses his own knowledge and abilities , using the human body as an outlet.

B. This of course sets aside the independent control of the body by the possessed victim while the demon is in control.

C. The individual personality of the demon is also expressed at these times and the personality of the "host" is totally set aside.

D. More than one demon can inhabit the body at the same time with each one expressing his own personality and character.

2. The primary objective of the demons is to promote Satanic "darkness" viewpoint and discredit the "light" viewpoint and policy of God.

A. Satan's viewpoint and policy is outlined in his darkness manifesto which is recorded at Isaiah 14:13-14.
1. Take over heaven
2. Rule over the angels
3. Rule over mankind
4. Claim Messianic glory for himself
5. Become like God.

B. Basically, this is just the creature rejecting creator policy and operating on his own creature policy in total independence from God.

C. In order to discredit light, Satan's goal is to cause confusion and chaos in the human realm physically, morally and spiritually.

D. Demon possession fulfills this goal in two ways.

1. Oppression: Possession for the purpose of causing physical and moral chaos through physical and mental disease.

2. Deception: Possession to cultivate religious, cultic and occultic viewpoint and activity.

3. Another important aspect of demon possession is the personal desire of the demon to gratify his own distorted lust patterns.

A. Demons are creatures (category, angels) and are spirit in form.

B. They don't have the same physical restrictions as humans, but they also do not have the same physical capacity for physical sensations as humans.

C. This is no problem for the elect angels, but the angels that acquired a distorted "sin" nature when they sinned against God as Satan did in Ezek. 28:17, are now dominated by self-centered lust patterns that dominate their existence.

D. So now the lust patterns of the fallen angels move in the direction of physical sensations and experience.

E. Some angels went so far as to actually assume a semi-physical form in order to procreate with human females before the flood.

1. Gen. 6:2, sons of God (fallen angels) saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful, ie, attractive to the angels' lust pattern.

2. Jude 6, kept not their own domain, ie, their spirit sphere of existence.

3. The ones who disobeyed the physical laws of God in this way were then assigned to the prison of Tartarus to await the final judgment. Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4

4. This ability was removed from the angels to prevent such an attack on humanity from occurring again.

F. So now, in order to fulfill their lust patterns, they must possess human bodies and experience the physical sensations kind of "second hand," although for them, it is better than nothing.

G. This is what Jesus is talking about at Mat. 12:43 with the phrase, "seeking rest."

H. And at Mark 5:11-13, the demons think that they can fulfill their lust patterns in animals, but they learn otherwise.

4. There is a difference between demon possession and "evil" possession as illustrated at John 5:1-7.

A. In evil possession, the mind of the victim is not set aside, but is focused upon the evil principle.

B. The principle of evil possession is found in the use of an evil point of view as a mental reference point.

1. The paralyzed man has believed a superstitious lie about the waters having healing powers.

2.. John 5:4 is not in the original but accurately states the common superstition believed in connection with the pool.

3. People who do this things because of superstition are evil possessed. That is, the are aware of what they are doing and their mental point of reference is fear of what might happen if they fail to appease the superstition.

4. This man rejected truth as found in the character and plan of God and instead, trusted in "magic" for healing.

C. This evil point of reference was the basis for his actual "living" at the pool.

D. Physical healing was all this man thought about. Why he was paralyzed was no issue. And creator sovereignty and wisdom was of little concern to him.

E. Either believers or unbelievers can be possessed by evil without actually having demon contact or possession.

F. Under evil possession, mental points of reference can be anything from superstitious fables to religion or occult practices.

G. Recovery is accomplished by rejecting evil and responding to gospel and/or Christian way of life Truth as per John 5:14.

5. Under the Mosaic law, demon possession was dealt with by the death penalty. Lev. 20:27

6. Demon possession occurs in unbelievers as a result of a "disapproved mind." Rom. 1:28

A. A disapproved mind (adokimos) is a mind totally engulfed in darkness viewpoint so that it is worthless with regard to promotion of divine truth (righteousness) in the world.

B. The development of the disapproved mind is taught at Rom. 1:18-27.

1. Its resistance to light is mentioned in v. 18, "suppress the truth in unrighteousness." katechō - present active participle = to hold against or resist.

2. The status of resistance is amplified in v. 19-21a.

a. Exposure to truth.

b. within them, indicates inner exposure and conviction.

c. v. 20, initial mechanics of exposure is the physical creation proclaiming God's power and existence.

d. They are without excuse.

3. The act of resistance: v. 21

a. They did not honor Him: doxadzō, aorist active indicative.
b. or give thanks: aorist active indicative of eucharisteō.
"nor did they express grace (humility)."

4. Acceptance of human viewpoint, creature logic.
They became empty in their reasonings.

a. became empty: mataioō, aorist passive indicative
b. dialogismos, reasonings or thought patterns.

5. Thus the adoption of darkness standards.
foolish heart became darkened, skotidzō - aorist passive indicative

6. Then the distorted thinking led to distorted activity. attitude

a. professing to be wise: present active participle of phaskō.
attitude status. distorted thinking. Pr. 12:15; 16:2

b. they became fools: mōrainō, aorist passive indicative
distorted activity described in v. 23-32

c. And this is what constitutes the disapproved mind of v. 28.

7. Distorted activity expresses itself in idolatry, v. 23, 25, which is the gateway to demon possession. 1 Cor. 10:20; Gal. 4:8.

8. And it is at this point that God "abandons" them to the consequences of the darkness system, v. 24.

a. God gave them over: paradidomi, aorist active indicative
Kind of just, let them go.

b. In the lusts of their hearts: sin nature dictates

c. to impurity: akatharsia, represents the character and purpose of the darkness system.

d. Thus, the gateway to demon possession. Cf the term "akathartos" used with "unclean spirit."

9. V. 28-32 is a summary of the process.
a. rejection of truth
b. God delivers them up
c. And thus, an unrestrained, undisciplined, immoral, demon-vulnerable way of life.

10. The idolatry that is a gateway to demon possession can be active or passive; serious or experimental; religious or occultic.

C. Sometimes "innocent" bystanders to the disapproved mind can come under demon possession as at Mark 9:17-25, a boy from childhood.

D. Summary of ways to be possessed.

1. Active submission: Satan worship
2. Passive submission: idolatry, drugs, cults and occultic religions like the Eastern religions (rituals, dancing, music).
hypnotism and meditation.
dabbling in occult activities such as fortune telling, astrology, etc.

7. General characteristics of demon possession: Both oppression and deception aspects.

A. Example at Mark 5:1-13

1. abnormal physical strength: v. 3-4
2. fits of rage: v. 5
3. self-mutilation: v. 5
4. splitting of personality: v. 6-7
5. resistance to spiritual things: v. 7
6. extra natural knowledge abilities: v. 7 and Acts 16:16
7. alteration of voice: v. 9

B. Other observations:

1. Mark 1:26, convulsions
2. Various types of illness:

a. dumbness (speech restrictions): Mt. 12:22; 9:32-33; Luke 11:14; Mk. 9:17

b. blindness: Mat. 12:22
c. deafness: Mk. 9:25
d. epilepsy type symptoms: Mk. 9:17-18; Lk. 9:39f
e. mental disorders: Mk. 5:5; Mat. 17:15
f. immoral activity: public nakedness, Lk. 8:27
g. paralysis: Lk. 13:11, 16

3. Suicidal: Mat. 17:15
4. "magic" abilities: Acts 8:9-11 (not the art of illusion)

8. Demon possession of animals:

A. Gen. 3:1a, "now the serpent was more crafty.

1. the serpent: nAchash, means to hiss, whisper, be bright.

a. this is one of the animals Adam named in v. 2:19

b. The name, nAchash, describes its general appearance. Beautiful and pleasant to be around.

c. At this time, the serpent did not crawl on the ground, but walked.

d. The serpent would make a good pet and was probably around Adam and Eve most of the time.

2. was: qal perfect of hAyAh. This verb can refer to either "being" or "becoming." Here it should read, "became."

a. The serpent was not created "crafty."

b. Something happened to make this animal "become" deceptive.

c. At this point in time, Satan has indwelled the serpent for a disguise, not because he needs the serpent in order to speak.

d. The talking must be viewed as Satanic control as there is no basis for teaching that the animal could speak on its own.

e. This indwelling is the basis for one of the titles that Satan carries throughout the rest of human history (Rev. 12:9).

3. More crafty: Arum = clever, crafty, cunning, deceptive.
This refers to the viewpoint and purpose of Satan expressed through the serpent as an involuntary agent.

4. This is the first and only example of Satanic possession of an animal.

B. The only case of demon possession of animals is found at Mk. 5:10-13, but in that case, there is no control or benefit to the demons.

V. 10-12 - The request of the demons
1. Do not send us out of the country: This is possible and refers to geographical restrictions imposed on the demons by divine authority.

2. Lk. 8:31, not into the abyss: This shows their 3rd point of disorientation as confused creatures enslaved to darkness.

a. The first point of disorientation is indicated in Mat. 8:29, "torment us before the time." Mark 5:7, "I beg you don't torment me." Luke 8:28. They knew there was a time schedule for the progress of God's plan. They knew that the indictment of the lake of fire would not be carried out until a future time. There would be no judgment on them before that other than the judgment that makes them wander around without a body to possess.

b. The 2nd point of disorientation is stated at Mk 5:7.

1. "What do I have to do with you?" This is a weak, disoriented defense. I'm not hurting you, leave me alone.

2. But of course, they are His enemies and ARE hurting the promotion of divine truth in the world. (Mat. 12:30, He who is not with me is against me.)

3. Into the abyss refers to a prison for demons. But the only prison mentioned in scripture is Tartarus at 2 Pet. 2:4, which is restricted to the angels of the Genesis 6 infiltration.

4. This is disorientation to divine policy. It is not Christ's policy to send demons into the abyss.

5. If it were His policy, there would be absolutely no basis for changing it at this time.

6. The issue with Christ is whether to impose geographical restrictions. The abyss is not an option.

7. Jesus does not impose the geographical restrictions and allows them to enter the pigs.

8. This does not help them because they must immediately vacate again on their own when the pigs die.

V. 13, This is the only place in scripture where we find demon possession of animals.
1. It normally does not take place because an animal is a non-volitional creature and is no issue in the angelic conflict.

2. The reaction of the pigs is from "animal panic," not from the action of the demons.

3. Animals operate on a genetic package of imputed response behavior, which is not "learned" but present through "instinct."

4. When the demons entered the pigs, the whole response system of instinct was "short-circuited" and the pig went wild and could not be controlled by the demon.

5. Demon possession of animals cannot further the plans of Satan because there is no control, no volitional issue and no battleground for light and darkness.

6. The request of these demons was just an attempt to stay together and organized, but they failed to recognize the impossibility of controlling the animals.

7. The status of the demons after the pigs die is to return to "normal activity" within the spirit realm as indicated by Mat. 12:43.

C. So the conclusion is that spirit entities do not possess animals.

1. The possession of the serpent was an exception.
2. It took place "before" the curse on the physical creation.
3. It was permitted by God in order to be "fair" to Satan and to set precedent for the future after the curse.
4. In the same way that the Genesis 6 infiltration was permitted ONCE and then a precedent was established that never allows it again.

5. It was beneficial for Satan to possess the serpent because before the curse, control was possible.

6. After the curse, control is not possible as demonstrated by the pig incident.

7. So there is no point, no purpose, no benefit, no advantage for Satan or demons to possess animals.

8. It makes absolutely NO impact in the conflict between light and darkness.

9. Demon possession of believers: Believers CANNOT be demon possessed.

A. Principle of the New Creation: 2 Cor. 5:17
The presence of a demon is not compatible with the positional transformation into union with Christ.

B. Principle of God's temple: 1 Cor. 6:19a

1. The believer's body is the temple of God the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer and cannot share His "house" with a demon. (an application of Mat. 12:44).

C. Principle of ownership: 1 Cor. 6:19b-20
God now OWNS the believer and although the sin nature is still present and needs to be dealt with, God will not allow a demon to be present in His possession.

D. Principle of compatibility: 2 Cor. 6:11-16
There is no basis for "experiential" compatibility between the believer and the things of darkness. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is totally incompatible with an indwelling demon.

E. Principle of spiritual victory:

1. The believer has been once and for all delivered from the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of light.

2. A complete spiritual victory was accomplished on the cross and for the believer at the moment of time that he trusted in Christ as savior.

3. The issue in "time" now on earth, is to combat the attack of darkness on the soul of the believer which comes through the sin nature from within and Satan's forces from without.

a. The issue is "resist" through THE faith. James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9

b. The issue is NOT: casting out, binding or even rebuking.

c. The scripture does not use this language in the context of the believer's warfare.

F. Principle of examples: ONLY unbelievers are seen as possessed in the New Testament.

Two "problem" passages:
1. Acts 5 - "Satan filling the heart to lie" is not "possession" but influence from without that caters to the materialism lust of the sin nature. He was the source of the temptation. When they gave into the temptation, they were yielding to Satan's influence.

2. 1 Cor. 5, "turn over to Satan" is not possession, but the administration of divine discipline by the authority of the apostle. Turn over (paradidomi) refers to an "abandonment" of the person over to the consequences of his sin and a "permission" granted to Satan to physically oppress. (Like with Job, although in Job's case, it was not discipline).

G. Old Testament: There is no clear indication of demon possession in the Old Testament, let alone of a believer. The closest thing to it is at 1 Sam. 16:14, but this is not a "demon" nor even a "spirit entity." It is the use of the word, "spirit" to indicate a soul disposition, attitude or condition. "From the Lord = caused by Him because Saul has rejected divine truth. This is why Saul "feels" better when David plays music for him, and the "depression" of his soul goes away for awhile.

 

 

10. Demon Exorcism: Link to Archive E for Exorcism.
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