And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus instructed the man not to stay with Him, but to go home and tell his friends "how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how He had mercy on thee." This wasn't just about sharing a cool story; Jesus was strategically deploying this newly freed man as a witness in a region that had just rejected Him. This transformed life became a living testament, reaching people who had asked Jesus to leave, and by all men marveling, it sowed seeds of possibility in a place resistant to the Gospel.
And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus miraculously delivered a man from a legion of demons, the townspeople were so fearful of Him that they asked Him to leave their region. Jesus agreed, but as He was leaving, the man He had healed begged to go with Him. Jesus instead commissioned the man to return home and share what God had done for him, leading the man to proclaim Jesus' mighty works throughout the Decapolis region, astonishing everyone.
Why send a formerly tormented man to the Decapolis, a region where Jesus himself didn't extensively minister? This wasn't just a random assignment; it was a divine strategy.
Jesus didn't send the newly freed man home to a quiet life of gratitude. Instead, He commissioned him to proclaim His deeds in the Decapolis, a region known for its gentile population and often resistant to Jewish influence.
This was a powerful strategic move:
The healed man's proclamation led to marveling. What made his testimony so impactful, and what does that reveal about how Jesus changes lives?
The text states, "and all men did marvel." This wasn't just polite surprise; it was profound astonishment at the undeniable work of Jesus.
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Understand the original words
kēryssein · Greek Verb
To publish, herald, or announce publicly a message of great importance. In the New Testament, it is specifically used for spreading the news of the Gospel or the mighty works of God.
Dekapolei · Greek Proper Noun
A specific region consisting of ten major Greek-influenced cities east of the Jordan River; often representing a Gentile or pagan territory.
ethaumazon · Greek Verb
To be filled with amazement, wonder, or astonishment, usually in response to the supernatural power or authoritative teaching of Jesus.
The Decapolis region was a distinct Hellenistic area where Jesus' ministry was less familiar. The man's widespread proclamation there, despite Jesus' more localized focus, highlights the power of a personal testimony to introduce Jesus' work to a new audience.
c. 65 BC
Formation of Decapolis
Following the Roman conquest of Syria, ten cities (Decapolis) were rebuilt and granted special privileges. This region, largely east of the Jordan River, formed a distinct Hellenistic cultural area.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching, healing, and calling disciples. His fame starts to spread throughout the region.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Crosses the Sea of Galilee
Jesus and his disciples travel by boat across the Sea of Galilee, landing in the region of the Decapolis.
c. AD 30-33
Encounter with the Demoniac
Jesus encounters a man violently possessed by a legion of demons near the tombs. After freeing the man, Jesus permits the demons to enter a herd of swine, which then rush into the sea.
c. AD 30-33
Rejection by the Gadarenes
The terrified inhabitants of the region, concerned about their livestock and possibly fearing Jesus' power, ask him to leave their territory.
c. AD 30-33
The Healed Man's Ministry
Jesus instructs the formerly demon-possessed man to return home and tell his friends and family about the great things God has done for him.
This passage directly parallels the command given to the healed man to return home and declare God's deeds, highlighting the importance of sharing one's testimony.
Isaiah 61:1This prophecy speaks of proclaiming good news to the poor and brokenhearted, which is fulfilled by Jesus' healing ministry and the subsequent witness of those who are healed.
John 4:28-30Similar to this account, the woman at the well immediately shared her testimony with her townspeople, showing how personal encounters with Jesus lead to wider proclamation.
Psalm 66:16This verse expresses a desire to recount God's deeds and wonders, echoing the motivation of the healed man to share his experience with others.
Acts 4:20Peter and John's declaration that they 'cannot but speak of what they have seen and heard' reflects the irresistible urge to share the reality of Jesus' power and mercy that the formerly possessed man felt.
expositorsMark 5:1-20: "And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes."
Chapter 5CHAPTER 5:1-20 (Mark 5:1-20)THE DEMONIAC OF GADARA "And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain; because that he had been often bound with fetters and…
calvinMark 5:1-20: "And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes."
- And when he had come to the opposite bank, [542] into the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs, who had come from among the tombs, met him: and they were fierce beyond measure, so that no man could pass along that road. 29. And, lo, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, Son of God? Hast thou come hither before the time to torment us? 30. And at a distance from them…
Jesus instructed the man not to stay with Him, but to go home and tell his friends "how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how He had mercy on thee." This wasn't just about sharing a cool story; Jesus was strategically deploying this newly freed man as a witness in a region that had just rejected Him. This transformed life became a living testament, reaching people who had asked Jesus to leave, and by all men marveling, it sowed seeds of possibility in a place resistant to the Gospel.
After Jesus miraculously delivered a man from a legion of demons, the townspeople were so fearful of Him that they asked Him to leave their region. Jesus agreed, but as He was leaving, the man He had healed begged to go with Him. Jesus instead commissioned the man to return home and share what God had done for him, leading the man to proclaim Jesus' mighty works throughout the Decapolis region, astonishing everyone.
After Jesus miraculously delivered a man from a legion of demons, the townspeople were so fearful of Him that they asked Him to leave their region. Jesus agreed, but as He was leaving, the man He had healed begged to go with Him. Jesus instead commissioned the man to return home and share what God had done for him, leading the man to proclaim Jesus' mighty works throughout the Decapolis region, astonishing everyone.
"And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled." — Jesus instructed the man not to stay with Him, but to go home and tell his friends "how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how He had mercy on thee." This wasn't just about sharing a cool…
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Last reviewed October 2026