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Book of Mark - Chapter 5 - Verse 12

5:12
And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Meaning

When looking at the verse "And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them" from the Bible, it is important to understand the context in which it is spoken. This verse comes from the story in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus encounters a man possessed by demons. These demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God and plead with him to send them into a nearby herd of pigs. By asking to be sent into the swine, the demons are essentially requesting to possess the animals instead of the man. This event demonstrates the power and authority of Jesus over evil spirits, as he grants the demons' request and sends them into the pigs, causing the herd to run into the sea and drown. This story serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' ability to overcome darkness and his role as a deliverer from demonic forces.

Theological Overview

The theological interpretation of the verse where the devils beseech Jesus to send them into the swine sheds light on the concept of spiritual possession and the power of Jesus over evil forces. This verse demonstrates the authority of Jesus as demons recognize and submit to his power, even begging him for permission to enter into the swine. The request to enter the pigs could signify that the demons desired to maintain a physical form of existence rather than being cast out into the abyss. The willingness of Jesus to grant their request shows his compassion even towards evil spirits, yet also serves as a lesson on the consequences of sin and the destructive nature of unclean spirits. This passage highlights the spiritual warfare between good and evil, emphasizing Jesus' dominion over all realms, including the spiritual realm.

American Standard Version

And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
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