Mark 5:13
What does Mark 5:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 5:13 means
Jesus grants the demons' request, allowing them to enter the herd of swine. The immediate and violent reaction of the herd, rushing down the steep bank into the sea and drowning, demonstrates the destructive power of the demons. The massive number of swine—about two thousand—perishing in an instant, vividly illustrates the immense evil that had possessed one man, and the profound power of Jesus to overcome it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, in number about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, in number about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he let them do it. And the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs; and the herd went rushing down a sharp slope into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they came to their death in the sea.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and immediately Jesus gave them leave, and having come forth, the unclean spirits did enter into the swine, and the herd did rush down the steep place to the sea--and they were about two thousand--and they were choked in the sea.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus immediately gave them leave. And the unclean spirits going out, entered into the swine: and the herd with great violence was carried headlong into the sea, being about two thousand, were stifled in the sea.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jesus [immediately] allowed them. And the unclean spirits going out entered into the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep slope, into the sea (about two thousand), and were choked in the sea.
Context
This is the climactic moment of the exorcism, where Jesus' permission unleashes the destructive power of the expelled demons. The dramatic destruction of the swine provides undeniable proof of the demons' reality and strength, and more importantly, of Jesus' authority over them, setting the stage for the community's reaction.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 22:22
And Jehovah said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so.
- 1 Peter 3:22
who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
- Matthew 8:32
And he said unto them, Go. And they came out, and went into the swine: and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep into the sea, and perished in the waters.
- Job 2:6
And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.
- Revelation 9:11
They have over them as king the angel of the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he hath the name Apollyon.
- Revelation 13:5
and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.
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