Mark 5:12 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:12 mean?

Mark 5:12 describes how all the demons, speaking to Jesus, begged him to send them into a herd of pigs so they could enter the animals instead of being cast out with nowhere to go. The verse shows the demons’ awareness of Jesus’ authority and their desire to avoid being left without a place to inhabit.

In this scene, Jesus is confronting a man possessed by many demons in the region of the Gerasenes. The demons, recognizing Jesus’ power over them, plead for permission to enter the nearby swine rather than face an uncertain fate. This request highlights both the desperation of the demons and the unique authority Jesus holds in the story.

The Greek behind Mark 5:12

• "devils" (δαιμόνια, daimonia): This word refers to evil spirits or demons, not "devils" in the sense of multiple Satans, but rather unclean spirits that possess people or animals.
• "besought" (παρακαλέω, parakaleō): This Greek word means to beg, plead, or urgently request. The use here emphasizes the demons’ recognition of Jesus’ power and their dependence on his decision.
• "send" (πέμπω, pempō): This verb means to send or dispatch. The demons are not acting on their own authority but are asking Jesus to actively send them into the swine.
• "swine" (χοῖρος, choiros): The specific mention of pigs is significant, as pigs were considered unclean animals in Jewish culture, which adds another layer to the story’s setting and meaning.

Why Mark 5:12 matters

• Mark 5:12 clarifies that the demons do not act independently but must ask Jesus for permission, underlining his supreme authority even over evil spirits.
• The verse connects to the larger story by setting up the dramatic event where the demons enter the pigs, which then rush into the sea, showing the destructive nature of these spirits.
• Understanding the request to enter swine helps explain the cultural and religious tension in the story, as pigs were unclean animals for Jews, making the demons’ choice of hosts especially meaningful.