Mark 5:14-20
Go Home and Tell Them
Read the passage
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.
15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
16Those who had seen it described what had happened to the demon-possessed man and also to the pigs.
17And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region.
18As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him.
19But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.”
20So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The people tending the pigs report what happened, and others come from the town and countryside to see. They find the formerly tormented man sitting with Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. The change is unmistakable, but their response is fear.
After hearing the witnesses describe the deliverance and the pigs, they beg Jesus to leave. Mark records their request without explaining how each person weighed what had happened. Restoration stands before them, yet they want the One who brought it to depart.
As Jesus enters the boat, the restored man makes another request: he wants to go with Him. Jesus gives him a different task. He is to return to his people and tell how much the Lord has done for him and the mercy he has received.
The man obeys. Across the Decapolis, he proclaims what Jesus has done, and people respond with amazement. The Lord’s mercy is the substance of his message, not a claim about his own strength or achievement.
Following Jesus takes a form he did not request. He stays and speaks among his own people. The place from which Jesus has been asked to leave will still hear about His mercy through someone who has received it.
Questions
1 What do the visitors see when they arrive?
AnswerThe man who had been tormented is sitting, clothed and in his right mind. His restored condition shows the effect of Jesus’ deliverance.
2 What do the people ask Jesus to do?
AnswerThey beg Him to leave their region. Mark reports their fear and request without giving a complete explanation of their motives.
3 What task replaces the man’s request to travel with Jesus?
AnswerHe is to return to his own people and tell them what the Lord has done and what mercy He has shown. He obeys by speaking throughout the Decapolis.
4 How can we speak honestly about God’s care?
AnswerDescribe what we have actually received without exaggerating or making ourselves impressive. We can thank Him for mercy while admitting what remains difficult or unanswered.
What This Means for Us
We may imagine that useful service must happen somewhere else. Jesus gives this man work among his own people. There are often opportunities to speak of God’s mercy within relationships we already have.
An honest account does not need a dramatic ending added to it. Tell what is true, give the other person room to respond and keep listening. The man’s message points to what Jesus has done; ours should give Him the same place.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the mercy You have shown us. Help us speak of it truthfully and with care for those who listen. Make us faithful in the places and relationships You give us. Amen.