Before a shattering, a mans heart is proud (Proverbs 18:12). All four gospel writers repeatedly testify to Jesuss power over storm, waves and gravity (Matthew 8:22-27, Mark 4:3541 and Luke 8:2225, passages immediately before the pig-demon accounts! and therefore the good pastor declares the demoniac to be a Gentile since, as everyone also knows, Gentiles are better tomb-dwellers.. Youll notice at the beginning of the passage that they go across the lake to the east side and that puts them outside the bounds of Galilee and outside the bounds of Israel and over into Gentile territory on the other side. Executive Committee of the Editorial Board. Delivered to your inbox! These three verse from John really are earth-shattering. The good pastor basically believes that in Jesuss mind, one mans peace, preservation and freedom from unclean spirits is worth the sacrifice of a couple thousand pigs. He also said after much work with people that was possess that most of them dealt in occult practices. Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac Mark it depends on the text you read, but one of the four Greek words is sometimes neuter, sometimes masculine a big deal in this language and in this verse. So many beautiful verses and motivating passages are in Scripture. The Feeding of the Four Thousand | Catholic Answers They had rather have their swine than their Saviour, and so, though they saw the demoniac sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus, they in turn beseech that He should take Himself away. Its flesh you must not eat. Lets bring in a certain Greek silversmith and see how calmly he handles himself. From the brook beside the road he will drink and for this reason, he will lift high his head. The man howled day and night and cut himself with stones. Or, what if Paul had knocked two thousand dolls into the drink would he have written as many epistles as he did, while having to dogpaddle? Years earlier, when the ancient Israelis came to the border of the Promised Land, part of the eastern shore was controlled by the Geshurites (and the Maakathites) but Joshua told Israel to possess their land (, Last Fact: The coming Judgement Jews First, We have seen that God Almighty loves animals as much as humans, so Jesus randomly killing two thousand swine seems senseless, unless we remember God has commanded righteous people to avoid defiling food, such as pork. I beg You, do not torment me. Then, if you look in verse 38, he begs Jesus that he might be with him. Therefore, I repeat again that I believe the pastors are dishonest for not admitting this fact. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons. city in Pal. The lectionary reading for Trinity 1, Year C, is Luke's version of Jesus meeting and healing the demon-possessed man in the 'region of the Gerasenes' (Luke 8.2639). Both of our good pastors assume that the people in Gerasene (Gadarene or Gergesene) were Gentiles in Gentile territory, partially because of the pigs, partially because of the demoniacs and partially because it fits their bias. It may well be a picture of the reverse of what happened in the Garden of Eden. conquest of Syria in 65 b.c. For centuries, land wars are a type of a national sport among Middle Eastern nations. But look at how many times God let it be known in the Law and in very certain terms eating pork was offensive. But if one cared to examine all of Gods Word, the only possible reason for Jesus to destroy the pigs in the exorcism seems to be connected to Gods opinion about ham. Seven Biblical facts await you that prove Jesus was obliged to love all creatures, except that a higher command forced him to partially judge the Jews who owned the two thousand poor pigs. For the moment, Jesus was just being ironic. This curse should deter makers of dispensational charts from chopping up Scripture because having my share taken from the Book of Life, or my name wiped out of the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5) doesnt sound very cool. There was a logic in this. Ellicotts Commentary, for one, believes the four Greek words were a latter addition. These ruins date from the 2nd to the 7th centuries and show that the city flourished during this period as a center for religion, culture, and commerce. Were in the same story, my friends. The ruins also show evidence of a dozen churches, dating in the Byzantine period (4th-7th centuries) indicating that this once was a large Christian community. He does. (, David, the son of Jesse, was another selfless, compassionate shepherd. http://archive.ligonduncan.com/mp3/12.13.2009_Dr_J_Ligon_Duncan_The_Man_Jesus_Renamed_Luke_8_26-39.mp3. II. Additionally, it would have been foolish for the Apostles to claim hundreds and thousands of witnesses (1 Cor 15:1-6). A wonderful verse that reveals Him to us and probably the most heartwarming is the commandment in the Torah that mother animals are allowed to stay with their newborns for at least seven days before the offspring can be taken for food or for sacrifice (, All of these commandments and more are still taken literally by many Jews today. Let's pray. Therefore they should be taken as such. Christians never finish reading the chapter. That is the exact opposite of other godly men (compare with 1 Samuel 24:24 and 1 Chronicles 21:24). Therefore, if Jesus gave no commandment (singular), what is he referring to when he talks about commandments (plural) in the following: The answer: when he says, keep my commandments he means the ones he and the Father gave Israel at Sinai. This is the only sensible interpretation which remains consistent with all Scripture. Basically, a vision told Peter three times to eat defiling animal meat (at least that was how it seemed to him) so Peter logically replied that he had never eaten anything ritually impure or defiling (Acts 10:14). And her addition to Gods commandment led to her disobedience and to Adams, and then God added some amazing plagues to mankind, just as John says (Revelation 22:18) will happen to those who add to His Word (and not just the book of Revelation). That's why Jesus's motivation to kill the herd was more than obvious to the Tedious Twelve and the gospel writers. The Tabernacle of Ancient Israel - Brief Overview of the Tabernacle of Moses in the Wilderness and the Ark of the Covenant. This software has many innovative features and you can trap a Bull or Bear in REAL TIME! And in Malachi 4:4, why did God say remember the Law of Moses if God had His own law? 2. Looking back over the entirety of Gods Word, we do indeed notice many plagues rained down on the wicked in other books. The Syrians made reprisals, and took many prisoners. He also makes excursions into Gentile territory, such as when he exorcizes the Gerasene/Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20). WebScripture exhorts us to care for animals and not to be cruel to them. Why does the herd of swine go over the cliff? Gods Law has a law that you cannot change Gods Law. (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26) In Gerasenes in place of Gadarenes. If I still had some misgivings, Id be man enough to share them here. And repeatedly, these miracles will focus us in on Who is Jesus? and What do His deeds tell us about what He has come to do and the power that He has? And so this passage helps us in this way. Living in rural Central Africa villages for ten years, I heard many stories from locals about demon spirits living in streams and trees and boulders. Why? Just remember the wonderful folks in Jesuss hometown? And it is a shame that the good pastors dont take these relevant Scripture passage into consideration. Go be a witness to Me. Power over Demons: The Gerasene Demoniac Matthew The stories in the gospels may or may not have happened but, regardless, they are told in a way that makes a theological point and were never intended to be understood as factual history. Those people were Jews in Nazareth. Demetrius wasnt afraid to stand up for his rights. (For many a time it had seized him. Pig meat, according to Scripture, is as, Suddenly, Mark 5 is clear. He should know that centuries before the prophet Isaiah spoke against Jews eating pork and hanging around in tombs. It was part of the Greco-Roman region known as the Decapolis, or ten towns. or ten led to the substitute reading Gergesenes, a reading that was suggested by a study of the geography of the area. Since demons are by most accounts fallen angels to begin with, they already know to Whom they are ultimately accountable. And it is reveals a great deal comparing the reactions of the Gentiles in the two towns. 1. Jesus made him whole. We have seen that God Almighty loves animals as much as humans, so Jesus randomly killing two thousand swine seems senseless, unless we remember God has commanded righteous people to avoid defiling food, such as pork. Sadly, GotQuestions misses the point, or they lie, saying that being distinct was all important to God. Secondly, theyre forgetting that Jesus also says that people are more important than sparrows. Yet a number of objections immediately spring to mind. Gentile Gods Law even has two commands that equate domestic livestock with wild animals. Echoes of Exodus in the Land of theGerasenes, Wesleys Eschatological Optimism Explains itAll, The Prophet in the Hometown A Pilgrim in Augsburg, The Methodist Million Dollar Appeal in World WarII. These pastors have, Look at the prophets; they also prove Scripture doesnt change. Do you remember? Reading the whole account in Acts 19:23 to 41, we see that it was not hard for the sore silversmith to drum up anti-Jewish anger in the crowd that day. But once the door is open, well, we see in this story what can happen when you give in, what can happen when the demonic takes over. Also, this study shows that Jesuss actions in Mark 5 were on the surface contrary to the deep-rooted Jewish respect for domestic and/or wild animals. Many New Testament manuscripts refer to the "Country of the Gadarenes" or "Gerasenes" rather than Who were the gerasenes in the bible? For these reasons, the writers of the gospels gave no explanation and the Twelve asked no question about why Jesus destroyed all the swine. Topical Bible: Gerasenes [] Top ten reasons why there were pigs in Gerasenes, (Linear Concepts, 17 October 2012), http://www.linearconcepts.com/archives/2011 []. (Only an amateur Hebraist would claim the latter, frankly.). And because they did not hear Him, they lost even what they had. Interestingly, if you obey the latter, and take just the babies or the eggs but release the dame, God promises you a long and successful life. So if you have the ears to hear, the Father and the Son both wrote the Law and gave it to 630,000 men (and women and children) at Mt. WebThe meaning of GENTILE is a person of a non-Jewish nation or of non-Jewish faith; especially : a Christian as distinguished from a Jew. They sort of seek Him out. Another command applies to women who have given birth to a child (Leviticus 12:6), so that would be easy for Jesus to obey, not to mention the monthly ritual baptisms Jewish women do for certain reasons!!! But isnt it a funny coincidence that pork happens to be on Gods list of forbidden food. Therefore, even though folks from the Bishop of Hippo down to our two good California pastors have tried to persuade us that the Creator has shifted His views on pork, God did not, can not, and will not vary or alter or adjust any word spoken about any decision let alone His views on ham sandwiches. It all belongs to God. It is now called Jerash and is a deserted ruin. noted the official establishment of Christianity and discontinuance of pagan worship in the 5th cent. In the Book of Acts, Chapter Nineteen, we read about Demetrius, a Greek silver-statue maker, who was connecting a few dots of his own and had reasoned that a certain big-mouthed Jew was bad for business. Wed also have to confess that the farmers were not Gentile. For those near by the local name would be used; but in writing to a distant people, as the Greeks and Romans, the more comprehensive and general name would be given. were the gerasenes To feed the spectators who came there purposely to see those crazy chain braking tomb dwelling lunatics! Lastly, based on culture, human-nature and most importantly, on specific Scripture passages, we know the demoniac could not have been a Gentile but was most assuredly, Yet a complete interpretation of Mark 5 needs to clear up one last point: the pigs were forbidden but did they, Christ kept kosher and cleaned up the town, I can of Myself do nothing. Besides, it was Christmas! Gadarenes, Girgesenes, Gerasenes: (These three names are used indiscriminately to designate the place where Jesus healed two demoniacs. Two thousand pigs together is quiet unimaginable. He specifically banned pig in Leviticus 11:6 but to make sure we heard God repeats the command (Deuteronomy 14:8), adds that eating it makes a person unclean (Leviticus 11:43), adds that touching their carcasses defiles a person (Leviticus 11:28), adds that righteous people must not become defiled (Leviticus 20:25), and then sends His prophet a prophesy like, no one uncircumcised or anything unclean (/tameh) will anymore enter Zion or Jerusalem (Isaiah 52:1), and then openly judges pork-eaters as wicked (Isaiah 65:2-5), and then hotly repeats that identical point (Isaiah 66:15-17), and once more (Ezekiel 44:23-27) and once again, but now in the New Testament (Revelation 21:27), so where is that pastor who dares suppose the Almighty can change His mind about pigs? Neither common sense, nor the text, let Jesus off the hook. The vision stumped the poor apostle; clearly, Peter forgot about the amazing four Greek words of Mark 7:19b. He has stabbed the heads of many lands. Demonic forces seem to be territorial; i.e., they have assigned areas of domain. How could they say Christians not need be concerned about the welfare of animals or that they have little value, or even laugh about the death of thousands, when such beliefs are set side-by-side with Gods Word? As to the second question, there is no doubt of the illegality, from a ritual point of view, of Jews keeping swine (B. Saying God reverses a verdict or compromises a promise soils His Name. Commentary on Luke 8:26-39 - Working Preacher from Luther Luke is telling you here that Jesus is sovereign over everything. All four gospel writers repeatedly testify to Jesuss power over storm, waves and. Nevertheless, the interconnections within Scripture, from the beginning, to the middle, and to the very end, are wonderful to see, just like a beautiful flower. In light of these facts, Jesus' ministry in the Gerasenes reveals the Lord's remarkable concern not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles. WebThe terrified Gerasenes beseeching Jesus to leave them. Doesn't Jesus Treat Animals as Property? In York, T.; Alexis-Baker, A.; Bekoff, M.; McLaren, B. 7). Dictionaries Encyclopedias Lexicons. When Jesus and his disciples landed on the other side, it was in a region known as the Gerasenes, Gentile territory. He's been set free by Jesus. The hard hearts of those who reject Jesus. The most likely answer is to the country of the Gerasenes: i.e., Gerasa, a Greek town thought to be the same as the similarly-named Kersa on the east shore of Lake Tiberias. He's liberated. Why doesn't the good pastor entertain that avenue of possibility or is he too busy making one-liners to connect any dots? Later, Leviticus 11 explains to His Chosen People that He had chosen only ritually clean/pure animals for them to eat. Look at the prophets; they also prove Scripture doesnt change. The shortest distance between two thoughts. Ive not heard that theory before. Im wondering He was completely in the thrall of sin. He didnt give any new commandment. A great deal of the Law applies only to priests (Leviticus 6:3) and to Levites (Numbers 7:9), so how could Jesus, of the tribe of Judah, keep one of those commandments? If our faithful, unchanging Heavenly Father God made a straightforward decisive yet divisive decision and repeated it over and over and over, then why cant the good pastors connect the dots and figure out Jesuss real relationship to the pigs? The last point to tidy up Jesus allowed the demons to kill the pigs or Jesus did it? were Emily Langer, Washington Post, 16 June 2022 Three of the Comedian Harmonists were Jewish, three were gentile. Webwere the gerasenes gentiles. WebThe Gadarenes was the place where Jesus confronted a man whose possession by demons gave him a level of superhuman strength like Samson (Mark 5:3 - 5, Luke 8:27). Therefore, when it came to sacrifices on it, the menu was even shorter. The district of the Gerasenes probably included that of the Gadarenes; so that the demoniac of Gergesa belonged to the country of the Gadarenes and also to that of the Gerasenes, as the same person may, with equal truth, be said to live in the city or the state, or in the United States. The Son of God mercifully cast thousands of defiling demons out of a lost Jew and purposefully launched the legion killers into two thousand defiling swine. Almost there. The exorcism and the slaughter: Did they happen? Archeologists identify it with the modern Jarash. This kind of inter-ethnic scenario normally spells d.i.s.a.s.t.e.r. And John nicely parallels Jesus who said, not the smallest letter nor the smallest comma will pass away from the Law (Matthew 5:18). In 2 Samuel 17 we read of the young boy who would be king risking everything for one lamb. That fact must be kept in mind in our ethical discussions. His fellow citizens tried to restrain him in chains a horrible way to treat mental illness, by the way but he always broke free. Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with: Gerasene. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gerasene. Early in the video, he is very factual and seems sure of himself. The thinking behind each chart is contrary to the unity and oneness of God. He's the friend of sinners. The Gospels tell us that Jesus did most of His work among the Jewish people. Overall, when it comes to any animal being selected for food or for sacrifice, God sees only two types. in which he transferred the demons afflicting a man to a number of swine, that thereupon rushed down a steep hill and perished. Apparently Gerasa was rebuilt by the Romans before the revolt began, prob. Map of the Decapolis and its Cities - Bible History David was a good example of what Jesus meant by the shepherd gives his life for the sheep. Compared to this, Jesuss behaviour toward the pigs appears extremely callous: giving vile demons permission to slaughter swine is not exactly compassionate. The text of Mark 5 says pigs were nearby, but it doesnt say they were the only things nearby. At the very end of his book The Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John repeats them. Sadly, the rest of the verse is not quoted in GotQuestions best article and preachers rarely preach it, though it reveals more about the true character of the Messiah. But Christians miss the joke and think he was being serious. In the end, the good pastors assumptions keep us rolling in the aisles. Theyre written as factual history. The entire herd ran straight off a cliff and drowned. I cannot offer you a proof-text for this observation. Gerasenes | Biblical Training The victorious Lord made life good again for one embattled soul. He stabbed in the day of his wrath the kings. facts why Jesus cast the demons And opposite to normal flowers, our lovely Scripture-flower will never dry out or wither away (Isaiah 40:8). Mark as quoted by Spalde, Annika; Strindlund, Pelle (2012). And he was the one who said that the Father doesnt miss the falling of a sparrow. Oops. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. I love irritating those charlatans who pretend the Law of God is somehow different than the Law of Moses. It's back just a few verses, the answer is back just a few verses. Throughout Scripture itself, its a perpetual theme: Never believe anyone who says the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever (1 Peter 1:23; KJV) changeth! By Your Holy Spirit, show us our need of grace. We are all responsible for our sins and so no demonic force can take control of a human life and make you sin unless you allow it. Notice how Gods, Plus, when Jesus chased the sellers out of the Temple courts (. It's all Gentile territory, so just bear that in mind. Should we accept Mark 5 as literal history? The Matthew account mentions two demon-possessed men, while Mark and Luke only mention one. And do you believe for one minute that God told us to obey something that He knew full-well we couldnt obey? Asked by: Isidro Boehm V. Score: 4.9/5 to biblical Galilee, regarded, in opposition to Judaea, as a country of Gentiles (as in Matthew 4:15) What was Jairus occupation? The miracle referred to took place, without doubt, near the town of Gergesa, the modern Kersa , close by the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and hence in the country of Gergesenes. He also wrote the poem Greatheart. 9. The Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 5:1-20) | Bible.org Lets re-examine the event in the light of seven important Scriptural facts. Yes, this man is extraordinary. (Pastor Piper was right after all, almost!) It's a picture of His great commission outreach, not just to Jews but to Gentiles also. So why pigs? And he said that a good and virtuous man could not have allowed something like that to happen and therefore, Jesus was not the best and most virtuous of men and therefore Christianity was disproven. take a dump and be cleaned.lol. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.". Oops! And because these repeated commands are at the end of the Christian Bible, but the original commands are at the beginning of the Hebrew Bible, we get the impression that no new commands are allowed in the whole of Scripture, and no more books either. Thats why there was a herd of two thousand It seems Jesus allowed the demons to destroy the pigs so that the people could see just what demons are up to when they assault people. Would you not agree that theres a certain permanent feeling about a law like that? Dr. Ligon Duncan | December 13, 2009. At best, Malachi 4:4 should read as, Remember the Law of Moses, but mine's better. and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. Hello, I dont know the real answer but I have heard from others that Jesus has authority over any demonic presence and there were many in this man (other Gospel says two men), so it clearly shows Jesus Power and Authority and that is probably the main point to show the people and the demon possessed at that time that it doesnt matter how many of you there are your not staying and your leaving now because I say so and you cant do anything and because I say so you can go into them pigs because you are unclean, so it was a demonstration for all, including his Disciples who were with him, I do believe that Jesus went there for that purpose because of his Love for us, Jesus knows why He did it, maybe one day He will tell us or not ? And what about trees or rocks? Besides Johns cute play on words dont add or God will add consider what plagues he might be talking about and what book he might be talking about. Therefore, were those cool-headed pig-farmers really Gentiles? The Gerasenes were the people of the district of which Gerasa was the capital. Gergesa is located, with relative certainty, midway along the E bank of the Sea of Galilee; Gadara is six m. SE from the S end of the Sea of Galilee; and Gerasa is some thirty-five m. SE. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of any other person, religious organization or governmental entity. The heart set free from sin by Jesus. In fact in this passage with the demons naming His name, this was often done in the ancient world, if you knew someone's name you could call out that name as a part of casting a spell on them. War IV. --ED.). What care we for his soul?What good to us that Thou hast made him whole,Since we have lost our swine? Matthew 12:43 and Luke 11:24 mention demons going to a dry place. And what about just sending the killers into the air (Ephesians 2:2)? I want you to see a person in the thrall of sin. (This sad fact may have something to do with Christians telling Jews to junk the Law which they love and to just believe and receive.) . Scripture also makes it abundantly clear that God Almighty cannot change, and no one, not even the Lord's Anointed Messiah can change the Law which they both wrote. Both of our good pastors assume that the people in Gerasene (Gadarene or Gergesene) were Gentiles in Gentile territory, partially because of the pigs, partially because of the demoniacs and partially because, The good pastor John MacArthur assumes in his video, [I stretch my hand out to the Jews] who sit by the graves and lodge over night in the tombs, who eat the flesh of pigs and the broth of corrupted meat from their pots. The pastors precious-people useless-swine principle was previously dreamed up by the 3rd century church father, St. Augustine of Hippo (quoted by Spalde and Strindlund), and he ran with it. But John is more precise, saying none should add or remove words. How and why did this happen in the first place? He was totally dominated by these demonic forces. Pingback: The Prophet in the Hometown A Pilgrim in Augsburg. Now Jesus grants this permission. Pigs, of course, were unclean for the Jews (Lev. If the interpretation from, If a bunch of little children want a ball to play with and I toss them a grenade, am I off the hook if a kid pulls out the pin? Furthermore, how upset must God get seeing a doctor reach into the womb of a mother and murder her unborn child? 3). Fear and selfishness prompted the prayer. Kursi - The Gerasene Site of Jesus' Miracle on the East Side of Lake Inhabitants of Gadara, known from an alleged miracle of Jesus ( Matthew 8; Mark 5; Luke 8) in which he transferred the demons xviii. Scripture also makes it abundantly clear that God Almighty cannot change, and no one, not even the Lord's Anointed Messiah can change the Law which they both wrote. This has been a long blog thanks for sticking with it but because Im going to ruffle feathers, Ive gone the extra mile to explain myself clearly and to plug any holes in my argument. And not only that, he's about to be a witnessing disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. v. 37) describe Jesus healing of the demoniac Legion and the drowning of the swine in the Sea of Galilee (cf. Let\'s see if you\'re really a human: * I could have come up with better arguments against Christianity than Bertrand Russell, but in the course of this book in one of the chapters, he says it is this story that led him to the conclusion that Jesus was neither the best nor the most virtuous of men. (Please dont hide behind that sensational dispensational chart. Late Latin Gerasenus, Gergesenus, from Greek Gerasnos, Gergesnos, from Gerasa, Gergesa ancient town in Palestine. The normally merciful Messiah destroyed the pigs in accordance with Gods Law about clean and unclean meat. Furthermore, the play-by-play presents no reason to be judged as a parable or an allegory. (Cf. Is John really referring to just the plagues of the book of Revelation, or could his words also include other books and plagues? As a result, our biggest take-away lesson is to never take away from the Word of the Almighty.But dispensational-flavoured pastors ignore this and teach us that Moses and David and even Jesus lived by different rules. Doesn't Jesus Treat Animals as Property? In York, T.; Alexis-Baker, A.; Bekoff, M.; McLaren, B. Jun 21, 2021. The man could break his earthly chains; he could not break his spiritual ones.

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