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Mark Chapter Study

Jesus’ Authority Over Demons, Disease, and Death

Mark 5 (KJV)

Mark 5 reveals the complete authority of Jesus Christ over spiritual darkness, physical suffering, and even death itself. Through the deliverance of a possessed man, the healing of a suffering woman, and the raising of Jairus’ daughter, this chapter shows that no condition is beyond His power.

What You'll Learn

• How Jesus shows authority over demons
• Why no spiritual bondage is beyond Christ’s power
• What the delivered man teaches us about testimony
• Why the people asked Jesus to leave their region
• How Jairus models desperate faith
• What the woman with the issue of blood teaches about persistent faith
• Why touching Jesus by faith is different from being near Him casually
• How Jesus restores dignity as well as health
• Why Jesus tells Jairus, “Be not afraid, only believe”
• What the raising of Jairus’ daughter reveals about Christ’s authority over death

Mark 5 teaches that Jesus Christ has authority over spiritual oppression, incurable sickness, hopeless circumstances, and death itself.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Mark 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

Mark 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Mark 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Mark 5:4 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.

Mark 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Mark 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

Mark 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

Mark 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Mark 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

Mark 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Mark 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Mark 5:14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

Mark 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

Mark 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Mark 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

Mark 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

Mark 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

Mark 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

Mark 5:31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

Mark 5:32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

Mark 5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Mark 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

Mark 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Mark 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Mark 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Mark 5:1

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

Study: Jesus and His disciples arrive in the country of the Gadarenes. This setting shows Jesus moving into a place of deep spiritual darkness and human brokenness. Christ does not avoid desperate places; He enters them with authority and compassion.

Mark 5:2

And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Study: The possessed man comes from the tombs to meet Jesus. His condition is marked by uncleanness, isolation, and torment. Yet the moment Jesus arrives, spiritual darkness is confronted by divine authority.

Mark 5:3

Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Study: The man lives among the dead, and no human restraint can control him. This shows the helplessness of human solutions against deep spiritual bondage. What people could not bind, Jesus could command.

Mark 5:4

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.

Study: Repeated attempts to restrain the man failed. His condition was beyond social control, physical strength, and human management. Mark emphasizes this so the reader sees the greatness of Christ’s deliverance.

Mark 5:5

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Study: His life is marked by torment, self-harm, isolation, and despair. The enemy’s work destroys dignity and peace. Jesus comes to restore what evil has ruined.

Mark 5:6

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

Study: Even from a distance, the man runs toward Jesus and falls before Him. Darkness recognizes authority when Christ appears. No spiritual power can stand above the Son of God.

Mark 5:7

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

Study: The demons identify Jesus as the Son of the most high God. They know His identity and fear His judgment. This reveals that spiritual beings recognize Christ’s authority even when human hearts are slow to understand.

Mark 5:8

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

Study: Jesus commands the unclean spirit to come out. He does not negotiate with evil or plead for cooperation. His word carries absolute authority.

Mark 5:9

And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

Study: The name Legion reveals the severity of the man’s bondage. Many demons had tormented him, but many demons are still no match for one command from Jesus.

Mark 5:10

And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Study: The demons beg Jesus. This shows their limitation and His supremacy. Evil is real, but it is not equal to God.

Mark 5:11

Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

Study: The nearby herd of swine confirms the Gentile setting and prepares for a visible demonstration of the demons’ destructive nature.

Mark 5:12

And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Study: The demons request permission to enter the swine. Their request shows that they cannot act independently of Christ’s authority.

Mark 5:13

And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Study: The destruction of the swine reveals what the demons had been doing to the man. The scene shows the destructive nature of evil and the complete deliverance Christ brings.

Mark 5:14

And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

Study: News of the event spreads quickly. Christ’s work cannot remain hidden when lives are dramatically changed.

Mark 5:15

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Study: The man is now sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. Jesus restores peace, dignity, and soundness. The people fear because divine power has disrupted everything they thought they understood.

Mark 5:16

And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

Study: Eyewitnesses explain both the deliverance and the loss of the swine. The people are forced to consider the cost and power of Jesus’ presence.

Mark 5:17

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

Study: Instead of welcoming Jesus, they ask Him to leave. This warns us that people may choose comfort, control, or possessions over the transforming presence of Christ.

Mark 5:18

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Study: The delivered man wants to stay physically near Jesus. Gratitude naturally desires closeness with the One who saves and restores.

Mark 5:19

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Study: Jesus sends the man home to testify. His first mission field is his own circle. A changed life becomes a witness to the compassion and power of God.

Mark 5:20

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Study: The man obeys and shares what Jesus has done. His testimony causes others to marvel. Personal testimony can open doors for others to consider Christ.

Mark 5:21

And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

Study: Jesus returns across the sea and the crowds gather again. Wherever He goes, human need is drawn to divine help.

Mark 5:22

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

Study: Jairus is a synagogue ruler, yet he humbles himself before Jesus. Desperation can strip away pride and bring people to the feet of Christ.

Mark 5:23

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

Study: Jairus believes Jesus can heal his daughter. His faith is urgent, personal, and specific. He brings his need directly to Christ.

Mark 5:24

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Study: Jesus goes with Jairus. Christ is not distant from human grief. He moves toward the place of need even while surrounded by the pressure of the crowd.

Mark 5:25

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

Study: The woman has suffered for twelve years. Her condition affected her body, her community life, and her sense of dignity. Jesus sees the person behind the problem.

Mark 5:26

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

Study: She has exhausted her resources and only grown worse. Human help has reached its limit, but Christ’s power has not.

Mark 5:27

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

Study: Hearing of Jesus moves her to action. Faith often begins with hearing and becomes visible through movement toward Christ.

Mark 5:28

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

Study: Her faith is simple but strong. She believes that even touching His garment is enough because the power belongs to Jesus.

Mark 5:29

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Study: Her healing is immediate. Twelve years of suffering end in a moment when faith reaches Christ.

Mark 5:30

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

Study: Jesus knows power has gone out from Him. He calls attention to the woman not to shame her, but to bring her into public peace and restoration.

Mark 5:31

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

Study: Many people are physically near Jesus, but only one touches Him in faith. Proximity to Christ is not the same as trust in Christ.

Mark 5:32

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

Study: Jesus seeks the woman personally. He is not satisfied with an anonymous miracle; He wants restored relationship and assurance.

Mark 5:33

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

Study: She comes forward honestly and tells the whole truth. Faith brings her to Jesus; truthfulness brings her into open restoration.

Mark 5:34

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Study: Jesus calls her Daughter. He restores not only her body, but her dignity, peace, and belonging. His healing is deeply personal.

Mark 5:35

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

Study: Jairus receives devastating news. From a human perspective, the situation has moved beyond help. But Jesus is not limited by human finality.

Mark 5:36

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Study: Jesus speaks directly against fear. Faith must listen to Christ above the voices of despair. “Only believe” becomes the call when circumstances feel impossible.

Mark 5:37

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Study: Jesus limits who comes with Him. Some moments require separation from the crowd so faith can focus on Christ’s word.

Mark 5:38

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

Study: The house is filled with grief and mourning. Jesus enters a place where everyone else sees only death and loss.

Mark 5:39

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Study: Jesus speaks from the perspective of divine authority. What is final to man is not final to Him. Death itself is subject to His voice.

Mark 5:40

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

Study: The crowd mocks Jesus, but unbelief does not stop His power. He removes the scoffers and brings only those needed into the room.

Mark 5:41

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Study: Jesus takes the girl by the hand and speaks life. His authority is tender and powerful at the same time.

Mark 5:42

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Study: The girl rises immediately. Jesus does not merely improve her condition; He restores life itself. The people are astonished because death has obeyed His command.

Mark 5:43

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Study: Jesus commands privacy and then cares for the girl’s practical needs. His power is never detached from compassion.

Mark 5 begins with Jesus arriving in the country of the Gadarenes, where He encounters a man possessed by an unclean spirit. The man lives among the tombs, cannot be restrained, and suffers constant torment. His condition reveals the destructive nature of spiritual bondage.

When Jesus commands the unclean spirit to leave, the demons identify themselves as Legion because they are many. They beg to enter a herd of swine, and when Jesus permits it, the herd rushes into the sea and is destroyed. The man is found sitting, clothed, and in his right mind.

Instead of welcoming Jesus, the people of the region ask Him to leave. The delivered man wants to go with Jesus, but Jesus sends him home to tell his friends what great things the Lord has done and how He has shown compassion.

The chapter then shifts to Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, who falls at Jesus’ feet and asks Him to heal his dying daughter. As Jesus goes with him, a woman who has suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years comes through the crowd and touches His garment in faith.

The woman is immediately healed, and Jesus calls her forward. Rather than leaving her hidden in the crowd, He restores her publicly, calls her Daughter, and sends her away in peace.

While Jesus is still speaking, Jairus receives word that his daughter has died. Jesus immediately tells him, “Be not afraid, only believe.” At Jairus’ house, Jesus puts out the mocking crowd, takes the girl by the hand, and commands her to arise.

Mark 5 reveals Jesus as Lord over demons, disease, and death. The chapter calls believers to trust Him in bondage, suffering, delay, fear, and even situations that appear hopeless.

Lord Jesus, You have authority over every power that tries to destroy, every sickness that brings suffering, and every situation that feels hopeless. Teach me to come to You with faith. Deliver me from fear, restore what is broken, and help me believe Your words even when circumstances seem final. Make my life a testimony of the great things You have done and the compassion You have shown. In Jesus' name, Amen.

• Read Mark 5 again and underline every display of Jesus’ authority
• Memorize Mark 5:36
• Write down one area where fear is fighting against faith
• Share one testimony of what the Lord has done in your life
• Pray specifically for someone who needs healing, deliverance, or hope
• Identify one place where you need to stop hiding and come honestly before Jesus
• Thank God for His compassion in both spiritual and practical needs

Mark 5 reveals the authority of Jesus Christ over demons, disease, and death. He delivers a man possessed by many demons, restores him to his right mind, and sends him home as a witness. He heals a woman who suffered for twelve years and restores her with peace and dignity. He strengthens Jairus when death seems final and raises his daughter back to life. This chapter shows that Jesus is powerful enough to command demons, compassionate enough to stop for one suffering woman, and sovereign enough to speak life into death. Mark 5 calls believers to reject fear, trust Christ, and testify to the great things the Lord has done.

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