Out of Control: The Demon-Possessed Man

Spooky Scripture, Part 2

If you were to ask me if I was afraid of heights, I’d say, “I don’t know.”

That’s a weird answer, probably because I am a weird person. Sometimes, it scares me; other times, it does not. For example, put me on an airplane or a rollercoaster—I am good. But! Put me on the side of a cliff or a bridge—I am no longer good.

One time, I went zip-lining. Guess how that made me feel about heights. Oof!

There is just something about being suspended mid-air with nothing but a harness and some frayed ropes between me, and an 80-foot drop was not the best feeling. I couldn’t control what happened next—I was stuck, dependent on someone else to pull me back to safety.

In life, control is one of those things we hold onto tightly, and the fear of losing it can be overwhelming.

Mark 5 contains one of the most intriguing passages of scripture in the whole New Testament—the demon-possessed man who certainly lost control. This man had been taken over by a legion of demons (that’s right, a legion), cast out from society, and left living among tombs. If that’s not spooky enough, we’re about to see what happens when Jesus shows up and restores control.

The Set Up

In Mark 5:1-20, we find Jesus and his disciples arriving at the region of the Gerasenes. This region, on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, was predominantly non-Jewish, a place that would’ve felt foreign and even a bit unsettling to the Jewish disciples.

Not long after docking the boat, Jesus is confronted by a man possessed by an evil spirit. This man isn’t just spiritually unclean—he’s also living in a physically unclean place. He’s among tombs, cut off from society, isolated, and terrorizing himself.

The local people had tried to control him, but nothing worked. He broke through chains, lived in the tombs, and was left to suffer at the mercy of the demons controlling him.

[[ For what it’s worth, I find it amusing that a group of people didn’t know what to do with this problem, so they just tied the problem to a rock out of sight. Oh. Wait. That may still be a typical response to problems today—in more ways than one. Dang! ]]

Cue Jesus, stepping into this chaotic, unclean situation to confront a man whose life had spun so far out of control that it was hard even to recognize him anymore.

Here is how the story unfolds…

The Scripture

And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him.

Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many.”

Mark 5:2-9, ESV

The Exegesis

This passage is not just spooky because of the demon possession—it’s packed with symbolism and deep theological meaning. So, let’s break this down one aspect at a time.

First, notice he was living among the tombs. In the ancient Jewish mindset, tombs were unclean, and contact with the dead was forbidden (Numbers 19:16). This man wasn’t just demon-possessed; he was living in a state of spiritual, physical, and social uncleanness. His isolation reflects the alienation that sin and demonic oppression bring.

Second, notice all the chains and the suffering. The description of the man breaking through chains and cutting himself with stones paints a tragic picture of total spiritual chaos. The chains represent human attempts to control what they don’t understand, and his self-inflicted suffering reveals the destructive nature of demonic influence. It’s a terrifying image of a man who has lost all control over his own body and mind.

Third, what is it with this “Legion” thing? When Jesus asks for the demon’s name, the reply is chilling—“Legion, for we are many.” A Roman legion comprised 6,000 soldiers, so the term suggests that this man wasn’t dealing with just one demon but a multitude. This indicates the overwhelming spiritual oppression he was under. The sheer number of demons illustrates how powerful supernatural evil can be when left unchecked.

Fourth, and most notably, let’s notice Jesus’ authority. Despite the intensity of the man’s condition, the demons immediately recognize Jesus and beg for mercy. Jesus’ authority over the forces of evil is apparent, as even a legion of demons can’t resist his command. This scene flips the fear and control narrative—while the demons had control over the man, Jesus held control over the demons.

[[ For what it’s worth, I think it is interesting that Legion knew precisely who Jesus was. Here’s the thing: we often make faith a matter of mere belief. Herein lies the issue with “belief” being the only measure of faith—the demon certainly believes that Jesus is who he says he is. The demon doesn’t have a “belief” issue; he has a LOYALTY issue. He is allegiant to the wrong kingdom. Whoa! ]]

The Exposition

This story feels intense and supernatural, but the application for today is just as real. The man’s possession might seem extreme, but we all face struggles where we lose control over certain areas of our lives. Whether it’s addiction, fear, mental health struggles, or destructive behaviors, the feeling of being "out of control" isn’t as far off as we might think.

This story shows us that Jesus has the power to restore control. Even in the darkest, most chaotic moments, his authority is greater than anything that tries to hold us down. The demon-possessed man couldn’t free himself, and no one around him could help. It took Jesus stepping into his life to bring real freedom.

In today’s world, feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or spiritually attacked is easy. But the hope of the gospel is that Jesus is still in control. The man in the tombs went from an outcast in chains to a witness for Jesus. And no matter how far gone we think we are, Jesus can do the same for us.

Hopefully, That Made Sense

So, was the story as spooky as you expected? Maybe. But more than that, it’s a powerful reminder that when life feels out of control, Jesus is the one who restores order. The demon-possessed man didn’t stay possessed. He didn’t stay in the tombs. His story didn’t end with darkness.

Neither does yours. When Jesus steps into the chaos, he brings peace, order, and freedom. No matter what you’re facing, remember that the King who calmed the storm and cast out the demons is still in control today.

Next up: the plagues of Egypt in Exodus. Buckle up.

Until next time,

Petey