Mark 5:12
What does Mark 5:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 5:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 5:12 means
The demons, recognizing Jesus' authority and their inability to resist his command to leave the man, negotiate to be sent into the herd of swine. This request, though seemingly a lesser evil for them than outright banishment, still reveals their destructive nature, as they seek to inflict harm even when dispossessed from a human host. Their request underscores Jesus' complete control over their actions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they said to him, Send us into the pigs, so that we may go into them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and all the demons did call upon him, saying, `Send us to the swine, that into them we may enter;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the spirits besought him, saying: Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine that we may enter into them.
Context
Building on the presence of the swine, this verse presents the demons' specific request to Jesus. This negotiation highlights their limited freedom even in their pleas, reinforcing Jesus' supreme authority over them, and directly leads to the powerful demonstration of their destructive capabilities.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 22:31
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:
- Job 2:5
But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.
- Job 1:10
Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
- 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
- 2 Corinthians 2:11
that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
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