Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
MARK 5:19KJVWhat does Mark 5:19 mean?
Mark 5:19 shows Jesus telling a man he has just healed not to follow him as a disciple, but instead to go home and share with his friends the great things God has done for him and how God has shown him compassion. Jesus directs the man to tell his personal story of healing and mercy to those who know him.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the man who had been possessed by many demons in the region of the Gerasenes. After being freed, the man begs to go with Jesus, but Jesus "suffered him not"—meaning Jesus did not allow it. Instead, Jesus gives him a mission to return to his own community and testify about God's compassion and power, making the man the first person in this Gentile area to publicly share what Jesus had done.
The Greek behind Mark 5:19
- The word "suffered" (ἀφίημι, aphiemi) here means "allowed" or "permitted," highlighting that Jesus made a deliberate decision not to let the man come with him.
- The word "compassion" (ἐλεέω, eleeō) carries the sense of deep mercy or pity, emphasizing that Jesus’ actions were motivated by heartfelt care for the man.
- The phrase "go home to thy friends" uses the Greek words εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου πρὸς τοὺς σοὺς (eis ton oikon sou pros tous sous), which means "to your own house, to your people," suggesting a return to familiar relationships and community.
Why Mark 5:19 matters
- Mark 5:19 clarifies that not everyone Jesus helps is called to leave everything and follow him physically; some are sent back to their everyday lives to share what God has done.
- This verse highlights the importance of personal testimony—Jesus values the man’s story as a way to reach others in his own community.
- Mark 5:19 connects to the broader passage by showing that Jesus’ compassion extends beyond Jewish areas, as this man becomes a witness to Gentiles about God’s mercy and power.