Mark 5:1-20 Jesus, the Merciful King

Jesus, the Merciful King

Mark 5:1–20

Introduction

Have you ever seen a thunderstorm roll in—loud, scary, and powerful—and wondered who could possibly control it? In the last story before this one, Jesus calmed a terrible storm, leaving the disciples asking, “Who is this man?” (Mark 4:41). Now, the story shifts. Jesus steps off the boat into a new region, and this time, someone else answers that question—not a disciple, but a man filled with unclean spirits. What happens next shows us that Jesus isn’t just powerful—He’s merciful, too.

Background and Context

As soon as Jesus steps onto the shore, He’s met by a man who’s possessed by many demons. This man lives in the tombs, far away from everyone else. People had tried to tie him up with chains, but he broke them every time. He was so strong and wild that no one could stop him. He screamed day and night and hurt himself with stones (Mark 5:2–5). His life was full of pain, fear, and loneliness.

But when he sees Jesus, something amazing happens—he runs to Him and falls at His feet (Mark 5:6). The demons inside him speak through him and call Jesus “the Son of the Most High God” (Mark 5:7). This shows us two things. First, even unclean spirits know who Jesus is. Second, they know Jesus has power to judge them.

This moment connects to a prophecy long before Jesus was born. In the Old Testament, Balaam had his eyes opened to see the “Angel of the Lord,” and he bowed down in fear (Numbers 22:31). Though Balaam tried to curse God’s people, God used him to give a prophecy that a ruler would come from Jacob and destroy evil (Numbers 24:17–19). The demons in this story recognize that Jesus is that promised King. They know judgment is coming—and they are afraid.

Main Point

When Jesus asks the demon’s name, it says, “Legion, for we are many” (Mark 5:9). These spirits beg not to be sent away completely. Instead, they ask to enter a nearby herd of pigs. But before this, something important happens. As soon as the man sees Jesus, he runs to Him, falls at His feet, and cries out, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (Mark 5:7).

That title—“Son of the Most High God”—is not just a nickname. It’s exactly what the angel told Mary when she learned she would give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:32–33). The demons know Jesus is the King whose kingdom will never end (Numbers 22:31; Numbers 24:17–19).

Jesus permits the demons to enter the pigs, and the pigs rush into the sea and drown (Mark 5:13). This act shows that Jesus came to cleanse the unclean and remove evil. It echoes Ezekiel’s prophecy that God would cleanse His people and give them a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:25–27).

The man had no hope. His town could do nothing for him. He was destined to die in torment—cut off from all goodness, relationship, and fellowship. But Jesus corrected what should not have been. He restored the man’s mind, dignity, and purpose. Jesus even gave him a mission—to go and tell others what the Lord had done (Mark 5:19). He restored him spiritually, socially, and emotionally. Jesus has the power, ability, and desire to restore us to our original purpose in creation.

But the townspeople are afraid. They see the once-possessed man now calm and in his right mind—and they beg Jesus to leave (Mark 5:15–17). Though they witnessed a miracle, they lacked the faith to understand it. James reminds us that even demons believe—and shudder (James 2:19). True faith responds in trust and obedience.

The healed man, however, responds with faith. He wants to follow Jesus, but Jesus gives him a different task: “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you” (Mark 5:19). And he does, becoming a messenger of mercy to the Decapolis (Mark 5:20).

Additional Insight: Mercy for the Unqualified

We often have standards for what is acceptable. Cultures set rules, and societies build systems of law. But we must not carry those standards into God’s courtroom. Only one sin is unforgivable—rejecting Christ until death. No one is too far gone for the mercy of Jesus.

Scripture gives us examples of people we might disqualify today:

  • Adam – Rejected God's command (Genesis 3:6)
  • Noah – Got drunk after salvation (Genesis 9:21)
  • Judah – Engaged in prostitution (Genesis 38:15–16)
  • Samson – Pursued prostitution (Judges 16:1)
  • David – Committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11:14–15)
  • Solomon – Turned to idolatry through many wives (1 Kings 11:1–8)
  • Jonah – Resented God’s mercy toward others (Jonah 4:1–2)

We must stop glorifying these people while ignoring their sins. When we downplay their failures, we miss the message: God has always been merciful. They didn’t meet the standard either. As He had mercy on them, He offers mercy to us.

Conclusion

Jesus is not only powerful—He is merciful. He rescues, restores, and repurposes people the world has given up on. Like the man in this story, we too can be changed by Jesus. And like him, we are sent to share the mercy we’ve received. Let us remember: no one is beyond redemption. The King has come—and He is merciful.

Scripture References

  1. Numbers 22:31 – God opens Balaam’s eyes to see the Angel of the Lord, leading him to bow in fear.
  2. Numbers 24:17–19 – Balaam prophesies that a ruler will come from Jacob to destroy evil.
  3. Luke 1:32–33 – The angel tells Mary that Jesus will be the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom will never end.
  4. Ezekiel 36:25–27 – God promises to cleanse His people and give them a new heart and spirit.
  5. James 2:19 – Even demons believe—and shudder—but faith without action is dead.
  6. 1 Peter 1:10–12 – Prophets and angels longed to understand the mercy that would come through Christ.
  7. Genesis 3:6 – Adam disobeys God's command and sins.
  8. Genesis 9:21 – Noah becomes drunk after the flood.
  9. Genesis 38:15–16 – Judah visits a prostitute.
  10. Judges 16:1 – Samson sleeps with a prostitute.
  11. 2 Samuel 11:14–15 – David arranges Uriah’s death to cover his sin.
  12. 1 Kings 11:1–8 – Solomon worships idols because of his many foreign wives.
  13. Jonah 4:1–2 – Jonah complains that God is merciful to the Ninevites.

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