Sequence in Chronology: 13 of 26
Topics Covered: Jesus and the disciples travel to the Gadarenes (Gergesenes) region, two men who collectively have many demons in them known as Legion fearfully run into the Lord, Jesus interacts with the demons and casts them out into a herd of pigs, the people of the Gadarenes ask the Lord to leave their area, definition of what "legion" means.
In Capernaum Jairus' daughter is resurrected, demons are cast out of people, unique healings are performed, Jesus rejected a second time in Nazareth, the twelve disciples are sent on a training mission while the Lord continues to spread the gospel.
Bible References: Matthew 8:28 - 34, 9:1, 18 - 38, 10:1 - 11:1, 13:54 - 58, Mark 5:1 - 43, 6:1 - 13, Luke 8:26 - 56, 9:1 - 6.
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Meeting Legion
Jesus and the disciples arrive in the Gadarenes region (Matthew calls it "the country of the Gergesenes," Matthew 8:28). The Gadarenes is one of the few areas Jesus will visit during his ministry where the population is made up mostly of Gentiles (non-Jews).
Jesus soon encounters two demon-possessed men living amongst the tombs. It should be noted that while Mark and Luke states one man met the Lord (Mark 5:2, Luke 8:27) Matthew says there were two (Matthew 8:28).
Superhuman Abilities
The two men, who had been driven insane by the demons inside of them, possess superhuman strength and endurance. They can live outside, among the tombs of a cemetary, without wearing any clothes. They were also strong enough to forbid anyone from passing through where they were (Matthew 8:28). Even when chains and shackles could be placed on them, they were able to easily break them!
And when He went out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had been possessed by demons for a long time; and he was not wearing any clothes, and did not dwell in a house, but in the tombs.
Now when he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down in front of Him, and said with a loud voice, "What do You have to do with me, Jesus, Son of God the Most High? I beseech You, do not torment me."
For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him, and each time he was restrained, being bound with chains and fetters; but after breaking the bonds, he was driven by the demon into the desert. (Luke 8:27 - 29).
A Demonic Request
The multiple demons possessing the men, likely through the evil spirit who was their spokesman, call themselves Legion (Luke 8:30, Mark 5:9). After recognizing Jesus' authority over them they beg that he allow them to enter a huge herd of pigs.
And Jesus asked it, saying, "What is your name?" And it said, "Legion," because many demons had entered into him. Then it begged Him that He would not command them to go away into the abyss.
Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain, and they begged Him that He would allow them to enter into the swine; and He gave them permission. (Luke 8:30 - 32).
The Lord grants their request and allows the evil spirits to possess a herd of 2,000 pigs (Mark 5:13). Such an unnatural possession causes the animals to stampede off a nearby cliff and kill themselves (Matthew 8:28 - 34, Mark 5:1 - 20, Luke 8:26 - 39)!
Jesus Asked to Leave!
Those who witness this unusual miracle run away in fear and report it to others. Those who hear the report then run back and are astonished to see the men are clothed and of a sound mind!
Something then unique happens in Jesus' ministry. The people of the Gadarenes (Gergesenes) were non-Jews who made a living raising pigs. More than being afraid of the power that was displayed (or what the Lord taught), they were far more concerned of losses to their livelihood.
Jews fiercely disagreed with Jesus over what they felt was his perversion of what the Bible taught. Their way of dealing with him was to seek his death. The Gentiles of the Gadarenes, however, were not concerned about doctrine. They were fearful of even more economic losses should the Lord stay in the area. Their way of dealing with Jesus was to beg him to leave!
Now when those who were feeding the swine saw what had taken place, they fled; and they went and reported it to the city and to the country.
And those who heard went out to see what had taken place; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, clothed and of a sound mind, seated at Jesus' feet. And they were afraid.
And those who had seen it related to them how the one who had been possessed by demons was healed. Then all the multitude of the Gadarenes from the country around asked Him to depart from them; for they were filled with great fear . . . (Luke 8:34 - 37, see also Matthew 8:33 - 34 and Mark 5:14 - 17).
How Many Are Legion?
Legion is a Latin word used by the Romans to reference the largest set of military men in their army. During Rome's history up to and including the first century A.D., legions could have between 4,200 and 5,500 soldiers (Wikipedia). Most Biblical commentaries state such legions, at the time of Christ, had roughly 6,000 men.
How many demons, therefore, did Jesus encounter? The New Testament records that the name Legion was given because there were many evil spirits in the two men (Mark 5:9, Luke 8:30). The name is not meant to specify an exact number but rather a relative size.
It is possible, however, there were at least 2,000 evil spirits in the men as they caused 2,000 pigs to kill themselves at the same time (Mark 5:13). While the exact number will never be known, it was still the largest single group of demons recorded in the Bible that Jesus had to deal with!
Sailing Back to Capernaum
Jesus, after the miracle in the Gadarenes region, sails back across the sea to Capernaum (Matthew 9:1).
Resurrecting Jairus' Daughter
Jesus, upon making landfall, travels to a local a synagogue where its ruler, named Jairus, begs him to heal his twelve-year old daughter. As they travel to see the girl a woman, who had been suffering from blood loss for years, believes if she touches Jesus' robe she will be healed. Her faith is rewarded when, after she touches the Lord, she is miraculously healed (Matthew 9:20 - 22, Mark 5:25 - 34, Luke 8:43 - 48).
Jairus' daughter dies before Jesus arrives at the home. Our Savior, despite the disbelief of the crowd gathered to mourn the girl, raises her from the dead!
While He was yet speaking, one came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Master." But hearing this, Jesus answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid. Only believe, and she shall be restored." . . .
And they were all weeping and bewailing her. But He said, "Do not weep. She is not dead, but is sleeping." Then they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead.
But after putting everyone outside, He took hold of her hand and called out, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she immediately arose; and He directed that something to eat should be given to her. (Luke 8:49 - 50, 52 - 55, see also Matthew 9:18 - 19, 23 - 26, Mark 5:22 - 24, 35 - 43).
Unique Healings
Jesus encounters, after leaving Jairus' home, two blind men who cry out to be healed. When he finally makes it home to Capernaum the two men enter his house and again request to be healed. After they are made whole another man, possessed of a demon and unable to speak, is brought to the house. The man is miraculously able to speak after the Lord mercifully casts out the evil spirit (Matthew 9:27 - 35). Christ then leaves to continue preaching the gospel in Galilee (Matthew 9:35).
Help Wanted!
Jesus, seeing the massive crowd following him, is moved with compassion toward the people. This leads him to make the highly unusual request of his disciples that they pray God calls more individuals to help in the spreading the gospel!
And seeing the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were wearied and scattered abroad, as sheep who did not have a shepherd.
Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is truly great, but the workmen are few; therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest, that He may send out workmen into His harvest." (Matthew 9:36 - 38).
God the Father was certainly aware that the spreading of the gospel needed more people. The implication of Jesus' statement is that more workmen would not be called and sent out if those already converted did not ask the Father for more help!
Jesus' request shows that God is negotiable and open to altering the details of His will based on the input given by those he has called! If this were not the case then praying for more help would be a waste of time.
Nazareth's Second Rejection
Leaving Capernaum, the Lord preaches the gospel throughout Galilee as he eventually makes his way to his hometown of Nazareth. Those listening to his message at a Nazareth synagogue, many of whom have known him and his family for years, find reasons to reject both him and his message.
From where did this Man (Jesus) get these things? And what is this wisdom that has been given to Him, that by His hands many miracles are done also? Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon (the Lord's half-brothers)? And are not His sisters here with us? (Mark 6:2 - 3).
This marks the second time Jesus is rejected by those who knew him the best. The unbelief of his former neighbors and friends in Nazareth leads to only a few local people being healed (Mark 6:1 - 6, Matthew 13:54 - 58).
Training the Apostles
Leaving Nazareth, the Lord (likely) travels north to continue spreading the gospel. As he does so he sends the twelve apostles ahead of him on a short evangelistic training mission. They are given the ability to heal, raise the dead and cast out demons. They are also charged to visit only the "lost sheep" of Israel.
And when He had called His twelve disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every kind of sickness.
These twelve Jesus sent out after commanding them, saying, "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans; But go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
"And as you are going, proclaim, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick. Cleanse the lepers. Raise the dead. Cast out demons. Freely you have received; freely give . . ." (Matthew 10:1, 5 - 8, see also Mark 6:7 - 13 and Luke 9:1 - 6).
The twelve disciples are also warned to act wisely and that they will someday be persecuted for spreading the truth.
"Behold, I am sending you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
"And you shall also be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a witness to them and to the Gentiles. Now when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you should speak; for in that hour it shall be given to you what you shall speak.
"For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks in you." (Matthew 10:16 - 20).
Jesus then teaches the disciples should be fearless, expect division, ans strive to love him above all else. They are also taught there are blessings for believing in him. They are then sent out on their training mission as the Lord continues to preach (Matthew 10:34 - 11:1).