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

MARK 5:10KJV
Know the Bible

Mark 5:10 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:10 mean?

Mark 5:10 describes how the man possessed by demons begged Jesus repeatedly not to send the demons out of the region. The verse shows the demons’ strong desire to remain in that particular area rather than be sent away.

In this scene, Jesus is confronting a man possessed by many demons, who speak through the man. The demons, recognizing Jesus’ authority, plead with him not to drive them out of the territory. This request highlights both their awareness of Jesus’ power and their attachment to the region, which sets up the events that follow in the story.

The Greek behind Mark 5:10

  • παρακαλέω (parakaleō, "besought"): This word means to beg, urge, or entreat earnestly. The use of this word emphasizes how desperate and persistent the demons were in their request to Jesus.
  • ἀποστείλῃ (aposteilē, "send away"): This verb often means to send out or send away with authority. Here, it underlines that the demons knew Jesus had the power to command where they could or could not go.
  • χώρας (chōras, "country"): This word refers to a specific region or territory. The demons’ plea not to be sent out of the "country" suggests they felt bound or connected to that particular area, not just to the man.

Why Mark 5:10 matters

  • Mark 5:10 clarifies that the demons recognized Jesus’ authority and feared his power to control their fate, even over where they could exist.
  • The verse highlights the supernatural aspect of the story, showing that spiritual beings are aware of boundaries and territories.
  • Understanding this plea helps explain why the demons later ask to enter the herd of pigs, which continues the theme of their desire to remain in the region.

Where else these words appear

“country” Greek G5561 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
  • Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

“of” Greek G1854 · used in 64 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
  • Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

“that” Greek G3363 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
  • John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
  • Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

“besought” Greek G3870 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • Acts 16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?