Mark 5:16-20 Meaning: When the Town Said Go
16Those who saw it declared to them what happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs.
17They began to beg him to depart from their region.
18As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him.
19He didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he had mercy on you.”
20He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled.
16And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
17And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
18And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
16And they that saw it declared unto them how it befell him that was possessed with demons, and concerning the swine.
17And they began to beseech him to depart from their borders.
18And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him.
19And he suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how he had mercy on thee.
20And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men marvelled.
16and those having seen it , declared to them how it had come to pass to the demoniac, and about the swine;
17and they began to call upon him to go away from their borders.
18And he having gone into the boat, the demoniac was calling on him that he may be with him,
19and Jesus did not suffer him, but saith to him, `Go away to thy house, unto thine own friends , and tell them how great things the Lord did to thee, and dealt kindly with thee;
20and he went away, and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how great things Jesus did to him, and all were wondering.
16And they that had seen [it] related to them how it had happened to the [man] possessed by demons, and concerning the swine.
17And they began to beg him to depart from their coasts.
18And as he went on board ship, the man that had been possessed by demons besought him that he might be with him.
19And he suffered him not, but says to him, Go to thine home to thine own people, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for thee, and has had mercy on thee.
20And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him; and all wondered.
Meaning in one sentence
Understand why the townspeople asked Jesus to leave and the mission He gave the healed demoniac, a call to tell what the Lord has done.
Context
These verses close one of Mark's most vivid stories. Jesus has just driven a legion of demons from a man who had terrorized the region for years. The townspeople come out to see for themselves. They find the man sitting calmly, dressed and in his right mind. But they also learn about the two thousand pigs that rushed into the lake. Fear grips them. They ask Jesus to leave. Meanwhile the healed man begs to go with Jesus. Instead, Jesus sends him home with a simple task: tell your own people what the Lord has done for you. The man obeys, and the whole region of Decapolis hears and marvels.
Key Words
The Greek word translated beg appears twice in this passage, but in opposite directions. The townspeople parakaleō Jesus to go away. The restored man parakaleō to stay with Him. The same word, to call to one's side, to entreat. One group uses it to push Jesus out; the other uses it to pull Him close. The verb for what the witnesses did is diēgeomai, to lead a story all the way through. They related everything, both the healing and the pigs. And the healed man is told to apangellō, to announce openly, like a messenger with news too good to keep quiet. The word Jesus uses for mercy is eleeō, active compassion for someone in desperate need. This is not abstract pity; it is help that reaches the person no one else could touch.
How Christians Read This Verse
The Cambridge Bible notes that Jesus often told people to keep silent after healings, but here He commands publicity, calling the healed man to be the first preacher in a half-pagan region. John Wesley saw the reason: Christ would not go personally into that area, so the man became his witness there. Matthew Henry observed that the townspeople's fear of Jesus was greater than their joy for the man, and that rejecting Christ is a dangerous thing, He departed and we do not read He came back. Adam Clarke emphasized that Jesus sent the man home so his relatives could share his joy without delay. Christians across traditions agree: the man's mission was born from mercy, and his testimony spread where Jesus Himself did not go.
A common misunderstanding
Some read Jesus' refusal to let the man follow Him as a sign the man was not ready or worthy to be a disciple. In fact, Jesus gave him a higher calling: to be a living witness in his own community. The phrase He didn't allow him (v.19) is not rejection but redirection. The man went on to preach in all of Decapolis, and everyone was amazed. His mission may have started at home, but it did not end there.
Living This Out
Think about the people closest to you, family, neighbours, coworkers. They already know your story, at least the part they can see. But they may not know what the Lord has done for you. This week, pick one person and tell them one concrete thing Jesus has done in your life. It does not need a pulpit. It needs a kitchen table or a coffee shop. Start where you are known. That is where your testimony carries weight.
Main takeaway: Jesus often sends us to the people who already know us, because the most powerful witness is a changed life they can see.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus made a scary man calm and kind. The man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus said, “Go tell your family what I did for you.” So he did, and everyone was happy and amazed.
For ages 9, 12
The man who had been filled with demons was completely changed. When he begged to follow Jesus, Jesus gave him a different mission: go home and tell your own people what happened. That is exactly what he did, and soon the whole region heard about Jesus. Sometimes God wants you to start right where you are, with the people who already know you.
Questions People Ask
Why did the townspeople ask Jesus to leave after the demoniac was healed?
They were afraid. Seeing the power that could drive out a legion of demons and destroy a herd of pigs made them realize how dangerous Jesus was to their normal life. They valued their livestock and their comfort more than the presence of God.
Why did Jesus let the demons destroy the pigs?
The demons themselves begged to enter the pigs, and Jesus permitted it, showing His authority even over the spiritual world. The destruction also made the miracle public and undeniable. Many Christians see it as a sign that Jesus values a human soul far above material wealth.
Why did Jesus tell the healed man to go home instead of letting him follow?
Jesus knew the man would be a powerful witness in a region where He Himself did not plan to minister. Sending him home multiplied the reach of the gospel. His testimony in Decapolis prepared the ground for Jesus' later work there.
What is the significance of the healed man proclaiming in Decapolis?
Decapolis was a league of ten Greek cities, a non-Jewish area. This makes the man one of the first missionaries to Gentiles. His simple testimony, 'how great things Jesus had done for him', caused everyone to marvel, fulfilling Jesus' purpose for him.
Is there a difference between the healed man's story and the other people's fear?
Yes. The eyewitnesses told both the healing and the pigs, but the townspeople focused on the loss and felt threatened. The healed man focused on mercy and became a herald of good news. The same events can produce fear or faith.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study