Mark 5:20 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:20 mean?

Mark 5:20 describes how the man whom Jesus healed went away and began to tell people throughout the region of Decapolis about the great things Jesus had done for him, causing everyone who heard to be amazed. The verse shows the man actively spreading news of his healing, and the widespread wonder it produced among the people.

In this scene, Jesus has just healed a man who had been possessed by demons. Instead of following Jesus, as he wanted, the man obeys Jesus’ instruction to go home and tell others what happened. The Decapolis was a group of ten cities with mostly non-Jewish populations, so the man’s story would have reached a wide and diverse audience, highlighting the impact of Jesus’ actions beyond Jewish communities.

The Greek behind Mark 5:20

• The word "publish" is κηρύσσω (kēryssō), which means to proclaim or announce publicly, often with the sense of making an official or important declaration. This shows the man was not just casually telling friends, but actively spreading the news in a way that drew attention.
• "Marvel" is θαυμάζω (thaumazō), meaning to be astonished or amazed. The Greek here carries the sense of deep wonder, suggesting that the people’s reaction was strong and heartfelt, not just mild curiosity.
• "Decapolis" (Δεκάπολις, Dekapolis) refers to a specific region of ten cities east of the Sea of Galilee, mostly inhabited by Gentiles. Mentioning this region highlights how the news about Jesus was spreading into non-Jewish areas.

Why Mark 5:20 matters

• Mark 5:20 shows that Jesus’ influence was not limited to Jewish areas, but was already reaching Gentile communities through personal testimony.
• The verse emphasizes the importance of sharing personal experiences of Jesus’ work, as the man’s story led many to marvel.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the immediate effect of Jesus’ miracles: not just healing, but sparking widespread amazement and conversation about who Jesus is.