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 5:13KJV
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Mark 5:13 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:13 mean?

Mark 5:13 describes how Jesus allowed a group of unclean spirits to leave a man and enter into a herd of about two thousand pigs. Once the spirits entered the pigs, the entire herd rushed down a steep bank into the sea and drowned.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to the unclean spirits that had possessed a man in the region of the Gerasenes. The spirits begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs instead of being sent away, and Jesus permitted it. The dramatic reaction of the pigs shows the destructive nature of the spirits and highlights Jesus’ authority over them.

The Greek behind Mark 5:13

  • ἀκάθαρτα πνεύματα (akatharta pneumata, "unclean spirits"): This phrase emphasizes that the spirits were considered impure or evil, not just ordinary spirits.
  • ἐπέτρεψεν (epetrepsen, "gave leave" or "permitted"): The Greek word carries the sense of granting permission, showing that Jesus had complete control over what happened to the spirits.
  • χοίρους (choirous, "swine"): The use of pigs, which were unclean animals in Jewish law, underlines the separation between the spirits and what was considered holy or acceptable.
  • ἀπεπνίγοντο (apepnigonto, "were choked" or "drowned"): This word paints a vivid picture of the pigs’ fate, making clear the destructive impact of the spirits.

Why Mark 5:13 matters

  • Mark 5:13 clears up that the spirits did not leave the man on their own; Jesus had to give explicit permission, highlighting his authority over evil forces.
  • The verse emphasizes the dramatic and destructive power of the unclean spirits, which becomes visible when they enter the pigs and cause chaos.
  • This event connects to the broader story by showing the cost and seriousness of spiritual deliverance, and it sets up the local people's reaction in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“choked” Greek G4155 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

“place” Greek G2911 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
  • Luke 8:33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

“ran” Greek G3729 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
  • Luke 8:33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.
  • Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

“herd” Greek G34 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
  • Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
  • Luke 8:32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.