Mark 5:12

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 5:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
Mark 5:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And all the devils besought him, etc..] The whole legion of them, not only their chief, in the name of the rest, but all of them earnestly entreated him; they were all humble supplicants, not from love, but fear, and with a view to do mischief: though the word “all” is omitted in some copies, as it is in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions; neither has the Ethiopic the word devils, but both are retained in the Arabic version: saying, send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. The Persic version renders it, “seeing thou drivest us from the man, give leave that we may enter into the swine”: which is rather a paraphrase than a version, and expresses the sense very well.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this account of the demoniacs fully explained in the notes at Matthew 8:28-34. Mark 5:4 He had been often bound with fetters and chains - Efforts had been made to confine him, but his great strength - his strength increased by his malady - had prevented it. There often appears to be a great increase of strength produced by insanity, and what is here stated in regard to this maniac often occurs in Palestine and elsewhere now. Dr. Thomson (“The Land and the Book,” vol. i. p. 213) says respecting this case: “There are some very similar at the present day - furious and dangerous maniacs, who wander about the mountains, and sleep in tombs and caves. In their worst paroxysms they are quite…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Job 1:10-12, Job 2:5; Luk 22:31, Luk 22:32; Co2 2:11; Pe1 5:8 Mark 5:13”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification