The Herd of Pigs That Ran Into the Sea

By Mary Vee
Mark 5

From Matthew's Journal 

On the Sea of Galilee facing the shore where
this story takes place.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Mark, I am a follower of Jesus. I have recorded some of what I witnessed in this post. 

I and other of Jesus's disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee last night. A terrible storm rose up during the journey threatening to sink the ship and drenching everything. We woke Jesus, and He calmed the storm instantly.

We were all so thankful. Had He not done that, we all would have drowned. 

We landed on the other side of the lake in the region called Gerasenes and docked the boat. Not long after we stepped onto land a man ran to Jesus from a distance. He was not any ordinary man. 

This man had strong arms and legs. He was unkept with wild hair that had grown unreasonably long. He screamed and jerked his head. I could see where chains had once dug into his wrists and ankles. His power had broken them. None of his words could be understood. The man was a frightening sight.

Someone near said this man had lived in the tombs and rampaged like a possessed man. At one time the townsfolk could subdue him but he grew too strong. Now iron could not hold him. Night and day he would run through the tombs and the hills crying out and cutting himself with stones.

Jesus looked at the man and said, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

The man fell on his knees in front of Jesus. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?"

The voice did not sound like a normal man's voice. He then said, "Swear to God that you won't torture me!"

Jesus said, "What is your name?"

"My name is Legion," the man said, "for we are many." The strange voice coming from the man begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

Off to the right and in the distance a large herd of pigs fed on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs. Allow us to go into them." 

Jesus gave them permission.

Instantly the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank squealing and grunting. They ran as fast as they could into the lake. The herdsman ran after them shouting for them to stop but they didn't. They ran into the water where they drowned.

Shocked, the herdsman turned away and ran toward the town, yelling and raising their fists. 

The story will continue next time.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them  and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.



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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.