Mark 5:4
What does Mark 5:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 5:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 5:4 means
This verse further details the man's wild, uncontrollable nature, explaining why attempts to bind him with physical restraints like fetters and chains were repeatedly unsuccessful. His ability to break these strong bonds demonstrates the supernatural power of the unclean spirit controlling him. It underscores his profound misery and the powerful grip of evil upon him, making his situation seem truly hopeless.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because he had frequently been prisoned in chains and iron bands, and the chains had been parted and the bands broken by him: and no man was strong enough to make him quiet.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because that he many times with fetters and chains had been bound, and pulled in pieces by him had been the chains, and the fetters broken in pieces, and none was able to tame him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For having been often bound with fetters and chains, he had burst the chains, and broken the fetters in pieces, and no one could tame him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been torn asunder by him, and the fetters were shattered; and no one was able to subdue him.
Context
This continues the graphic description of the demon-possessed man's plight, emphasizing the sheer strength of the evil spirits. It reinforces the idea that human methods are completely ineffective against such powers, thereby preparing the reader for a demonstration of divine authority.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 3:7
For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
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