Meaning of Mark 5:19

This verse records Jesus' instruction to the formerly demon-possessed man of the Gerasenes, often referred to as the "Gerasene Demoniac." Instead of allowing the man to follow Him, which would have been a natural desire after such a profound deliverance, Jesus commissions him for a specific mission: to return to his home and family and testify about the transformative power of God's mercy in his life. This directive shifts the focus from personal discipleship in Jesus' immediate presence to evangelism within his own community, highlighting the individual's role in spreading the good news. The emphasis is not on the man's own strength or eloquence, but on the Lord's actions and compassion, making his testimony a powerful witness to God's work.

Context and Background

The man, described as having an "unclean spirit" and living among tombs, was a radical example of spiritual and social alienation (Mark 5:1-5). He was so violent and uncontrollable that he was bound with chains, yet he broke them. His encounter with Jesus resulted in a dramatic and complete deliverance, with the demons (identified as "Legion") cast out into a herd of swine, which then rushed into the sea. The villagers, witnessing this, were afraid and asked Jesus to leave their region (Mark 5:11-17). It is in this context of fear and rejection by the community that Jesus gives the man his commission.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Commissioning: Jesus actively assigns the man a task, demonstrating that deliverance is often a prelude to service.
• Personal Testimony: The core of the commission is to share personal experience of God's mercy. The message is to tell "how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."
• Witness to the "Own People": Jesus directs the man to his own community, implying the importance of reaching those closest to us with the Gospel.
• Focus on God's Action: The emphasis is on what "the Lord has done," not on the man's own merits or efforts.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage underscores the principle that transformed lives are meant to be testimonies. Those who have experienced God's grace and deliverance are called to share their story. This personal witness is often more impactful than abstract theological arguments, as it demonstrates the tangible reality of God's power and compassion. The command to go "home to your own people" speaks to the importance of evangelism within our spheres of influence, whether that be family, friends, or colleagues. It encourages believers to be proactive in sharing their faith, not as an obligation, but as a natural outflow of their experience of God's mercy.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event aligns with the Great Commission given by Jesus later in Matthew 28:19-20, where disciples are instructed to "go and make disciples of all nations." While the Great Commission has a global scope, this earlier directive to the Gerasene man illustrates the foundational principle of individual evangelism within specific communities. It also echoes the Old Testament prophets who were sent to their own people to deliver God's message, such as Jonah being sent to Nineveh. The theme of God's mercy, central here, is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture, from the Exodus to the salvific work of Christ.

Analogies

• A Healed Patient's Story: Imagine someone who was critically ill and miraculously recovered. Their story of recovery, detailing the doctors' efforts and their personal experience of healing, would be a powerful testimony to others facing similar ailments.
• A Rescued Captive's Account: A person freed from captivity would naturally want to tell others about their ordeal and the one who rescued them, highlighting the value of their freedom.
• A Witness to a Miracle: If someone witnessed a significant act of kindness or a remarkable event, they would likely recount it to others to share the wonder and impact of what they saw.

Relation to Other Verses

• Luke 8:39: This parallel account in Luke also records Jesus' command, stating, "Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you." This reinforces the emphasis on God's action.
• Acts 1:8: Jesus promised, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Gerasene man's mission is a micro-example of this broader mandate.
• Romans 10:14-15: This passage speaks to the necessity of preaching: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ... As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’" The Gerasene man, by his testimony, becomes one of those whose feet are beautiful.
• 1 John 1:1-3: The apostle John emphasizes witnessing: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us." The Gerasene man's testimony is a personal, yet biblically aligned, proclamation.