Mark 5:16 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:16 mean?

Mark 5:16 describes how the people who had witnessed Jesus heal the man possessed by a demon explained to others what had happened to the man and also what happened to the herd of pigs. This verse shows that the eyewitnesses shared the full story of both the man’s deliverance and the fate of the swine.

In the setting of Mark 5, Jesus has just cast a group of demons out of a man and allowed them to enter a herd of pigs, which then rushed into the sea and drowned. The people who saw these events are now telling others—likely the townspeople—about both the man’s dramatic change and the loss of the pigs. This sets the stage for the crowd’s reaction in the following verses.

The Greek behind Mark 5:16

• "ἐξέθεντο" (exethento, "told"): The Greek word used here means to report or explain in detail, suggesting that the witnesses gave a thorough account, not just a brief mention.
• "περὶ" (peri, "concerning"): This word means "about" or "concerning," showing that the report included specific details about the pigs, not just the man.
• "χοίρων" (choirōn, "swine"): The mention of the pigs highlights the economic and social impact of the event, which helps explain the strong reaction from the local people.

Why Mark 5:16 matters

• Mark 5:16 clarifies that the witnesses did not just focus on the healed man but also made sure to mention the loss of the pigs, which was significant to the local community.
• This verse helps explain why the townspeople react with fear and ask Jesus to leave in the next verse—they are responding to both the miraculous healing and the unexpected destruction of their livestock.
• Mark 5:16 connects the miracle to its broader social context, showing that Jesus’ actions had real-world consequences for the people living there.