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 5:14KJVWhat does Mark 5:14 mean?
Mark 5:14 describes how the people who were taking care of the pigs ran away after witnessing what happened to the possessed man and told others in both the city and the countryside. As a result, many people came out to see for themselves what had taken place.
In this scene, Jesus has just cast out a legion of demons from a man, sending them into a herd of pigs, which then rushed into the sea and drowned. The caretakers of the pigs, shocked by what they saw, quickly spread the news to nearby towns and rural areas. Their report draws a crowd, setting up the next part of the story where the community reacts to Jesus’ actions.
The Greek behind Mark 5:14
- The word for "fled" is ἔφυγον (ephygon), which means to run away or escape. This highlights the fear or urgency the pig herders felt after witnessing the event.
- The word for "told" is ἀπήγγειλαν (apēngeilan), which often means to report or announce. This suggests the caretakers were not just gossiping but giving a significant account of what happened.
- The word for "city" is πόλις (polis), and "country" is ἀγρός (agros). The use of both terms shows that the news spread widely, not just in populated areas but also in rural surroundings.
Why Mark 5:14 matters
- Mark 5:14 shows the immediate and widespread impact of Jesus’ miracle, emphasizing how quickly news about him spread.
- The verse sets up the reaction of the local people, which becomes important in understanding their response to Jesus’ power and presence.
- This detail helps explain why a large crowd gathers in the following verses, making the social and emotional ripple effects of the miracle clear.