This week's readings are from Mark chapter 5. A complete list of this week's readings can be found here.
Today's Reading
Now the herdsmen ran off and spread the news in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind—the one who had the “Legion”—and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man reported it, and they also told about the pigs. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their region. As he was getting into the boat the man who had been demon-possessed asked if he could go with him. But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, that he had mercy on you.” So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed. (Mark 5.14–20 NET)
Resources for the Reading
- Podcast(s) for this Reading
- The Decapolis by Shelley Johnson
- Parallel passages in the other Gospels.
As part of today's reading and study, don't miss the guest post by Shelley Johnson on The Decapolis.
Although we read this text as if things happened immediately, it appears that this all happened over a course of a few hours or even a few days.
“Now the herdsmen ran off and spread the news in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.”
Mark 5:14 NET
https://bible.com/bible/107/mrk.5.14.NET
It would make sense to me, that over that course of time, Jesus and the man had time to talk about the love of God and what God had done for this man to heal him. It would have prepared the man to tell others about the love of Jesus and this time they accept the word.
“So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed.”
Mark 5:20 NET
https://bible.com/bible/107/mrk.5.20.NET
Partly because the series we are in but also because of the way it somewhat contrasts from the rest of Mark so far — after being freed by Jesus the man wants to follow Jesus, but instead Jesus tells him (not to be quiet) but to go back and tell his people what God has done for him.
He proclaimed the good news in the Decapolis, a gentile/mixed place. Jesus is bringing the good news to people who were on the outside once again.