(chapter 6 will follow in the next issue)
Observe the Text to understand the author’s meaning:
Read 5:1-20. Notice Jesus is in Gentile territory now. In vs. 1-5 notice how many times “tombs” and “chains” are mentioned. Where does this man live? What condition is he in? Is he strong? Harmful to himself?
In vs. 6-7 what does he do when he sees Jesus? What name does he call him? Again notice that the unclean spirits recognize Jesus. Contrast that with the disciples name for Jesus in 3:38. Yet in vs. 7 what does the man say to Jesus? Who is he blaming for his problem? Is that characteristic of unclean spirits in Mark? Notice in 2 places—vs. 10,12 the demons “entreat” Jesus and Jesus in vs. 13 gives them permission. Who has authority here?
What is the purpose of allowing the demons to go into the pigs? What happened as a result of it? What did the herdsmen do? Who came? What had been a private affair became a media event! Describe the visible changes in the demon possessed man. What was he like before and what is he like now?
What is the response of the people? Why do you think this is their response? What should have been their response? Now the people “entreat” Jesus to do what? Why? The demon possessed man also entreats Jesus, for what? What does Jesus tell him to do instead? What is the response of the people when Legion tells them about Jesus?
What do we learn from this about Jesus ministry? Jesus came to cast out unclean spirits—those that oppose the Holy Spirit. But what does that mean in terms of our lives—what did Jesus restore to Legion?
Read 5:21-43. Jesus crosses back into Jewish territory. Do you see literarily that Mark intentionally slows the story down. When we hear the synagogue official’s request, we expect Jesus to hurry to his house. Instead, the story slows down as Jesus talks to the woman with the hemorrhage. As the story slows down, what happens to Jairus’ daughter? Although Jairus’ name is mentioned in vs. 22, after that he is referred to 4 times as “synagogue official”. What is the significance of this repetition? From vs. 22-23 what do we know of Jairus’ faith in Jesus?
What is the state of the household when Jesus arrives? Why does Jesus say that she is not dead but asleep? The text tells us the girl, “arose” “walked” and “ate”–what does this say about the state of her health? Jesus touches the girl—in Nu 19:11, touching a dead body makes one unclean. What does this tell us about Jesus’ authority over death?
Now go back to the woman who has the hemorrhage. Was it humanly possible to heal her? How long had she tried to find healing? What was the result of her searching for human solutions? What does her faith lead her to do? According to Lev. 15:19, touching a woman with a flow of blood made a person unclean. Jesus does not let her remain anonymous, in the background. What does he do? Do you think Jesus’ act increased her faith—made it personal?
What kind of understanding do the disciples have of Jesus if they are surprised that he knew she touched his cloak? Do they understand he is the Son of God?
Interpret the Text:
1) Jesus heals with his word the demon-possessed who live in the tombs. He heals by his word the hopeless who have searched for healing for years. He raises the dead by his word. He calms the sea by his word. Do you see a connection with Genesis when God created by his word and now Jesus restores by his word?
2) Do you see Jesus doing greater things—he begins by healing a man with unclean spirits, later he heals “legion”. He healed Peter’s mother-in-law, now he heals a woman sick 12 years and then he raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Do you sense that the clash between the scribes and Jesus is escalating? Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law is one thing but raising the synagogue official’s daughter from the dead in front of a large gathering of people is quite another thing!
3) What does this chapter say about the sovereignty of God, that is, the authority of God? even over death?
4) Does this encourage us to come to Jesus seeking the impossible?
Bible Study Notes
(Compare these notes to your thoughts after you have looked at the passages and answered the questions yourself)
Mark 5:1-20. Calvin makes the point that unclean spirits are not human traits of avarice, greed, self-seeking but rather are spirits who oppose God’s spirit and desire to destroy human beings (who are the image of God). If God is a person, a spirit, then it is conceivable that Satan and his legions are also spirits, persons. Only God is more powerful.
Jesus took an impossible situation, a destroyed life and turned it into a restored life that witnessed to him.
Mark 5:21-43. Calvin says that the power did not automatically flow out of Jesus but rather His Spirit led the woman to Jesus and then Jesus “knowingly and willingly” restored her to health.
This study first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 1, No. 5 (Sep/Oct 1995).
