Legion one who is many

In studying Mark 5 I ran across yet another scriptural story that I have short-changed all these years.

I always thought the story of the man possessed by a legion of spirits ended with the pigs drowning in the Sea of Galilee. For the first time I have seen that this story truly does have, not only an ending, but a real point. It is always nice to know the stories in the scriptures have a reason for being there. Jesus was teaching on the west side of the lake, but wanted to go over to the other side. When they arrived on the shore of the town of Gadara, which is on the road to Damascus, they were immediately met by a wild man who lived in the tombs outside the city.

This man was completely out of his mind, and was so strong that no one could bind him or tame him. If bound, he would break any fetters or chains that tried to hold him. When the man approached them Jesus commanded the evil spirit within him to come out.

I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. Upon having the unclean spirit acknowledge who He was and begging Jesus not to be tormented, Jesus asked his name. And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. The legion of spirits begged Jesus not to be sent away from the body they had possessed, and were willing to take what they could get, so they pleaded to be allowed to enter into the herd of swine nearby.

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. The swine herders saw what happened to their animals and promptly ran into the town and told the leaders of the town what had happened. When they arrived at the scene they saw Jesus and the man formerly possessed, now sitting, clothed, and in his right mind.

And they went out to see what it was that was done. I always thought that was the end of the story, but it goes on. Jesus obliged them and went back to the boats that had carried them across the Sea of Galilee. By the way, Decapolis is two Greek words put together meaning ten and city. What does Mark mean? In the Roman army, a legion was a unit of soldiers. At the time of Augustus, this included foot soldiers and horsemen. The exact quantity of demons is unknown; the name simply indicates a large number working in concert.

Typically, less emphasis is placed on the fact that Jesus actually asks the demons for their name. According to ancient pagan beliefs, one's true name represents one's true nature and essence. And he saith unto him, My name is Legion; for we are many. And he saith to him: My name is Legion, for we are many.

English Revised Version And he asked him, What is thy name? Matthew Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.

Ellie Gardner Specialty, "ancient animated landscape rock art", Christian. See Hebrews and Jude ; an innumerable number or 10, times 10, myriads on angels. Check out a number of differing Bible versions pertaining to the following books: Luke , Acts , Revelation and Revelation Myriads could even be considered a non-quantifiable number just by itself.

How many angels are there in heaven? Far more than we can imagine and that does not include the ones bound in Hell.