v1: They crossed the Sea of Galilee, from west to south-east. They took the journey for just one man (Matt 15.21); such is Christ's concern for individuals. Such a contrast with the Pharisees, who travelled over land and sea to win one convert, but make him twice as much "a son of hell", Matt 23.15.

v2-5: 'Raving' - the picture of an unbeliever: in bondage, under the power of demons, obsessed with death, out of control, self-abusing, insane. Yet God chooses the base and despised thing (1 Cor 1.28).

We are not told how the man got into this condition, but we see that no man could have any control over him; all this changed when he met Jesus Christ the Son of God.

The writer uses the phrase; 'a man with an evil spirit.' The gospel writers frequently use this phrase to describe 'demon-possession,' or similar. David Devenish suggests; 'people can have a demon that affects certain areas of their life.' (Demolishing Strongholds) In contrast, he suggests that the demon would not be able to exercise total control over a person.

v6-8: 'Recognition' - the demon recognised Jesus; the Son of the Most High God. The gospel writers often mention that the demons believed and trembled. The demon recognised Jesus' greater power, and feared being tormented; he tried to resist Jesus and have nothing to do with Him. It is rightly said that men love darkness rather than light (John 3.19).

v9-14: 'Reasoning' - "What is your name?" The Lord asked the question, not because He did not know, but to demonstrate His authority; see and contrast Judg 13.17.

When God questioned Adam and Eve (Gen 3.9,11,13), it was to reveal sin and to encourage confession. Later in the gospel, Jesus asked, "who touched my clothes?" (v30) to encourage personal testimony. In 8.5, He asked "How many loaves do you have?", to identify the hopelessly insufficient situation, and to demonstrate His mighty power. In John 6.5-6, this questions was asked to test the disciples. Jesus' question in Matt 20.32 was addressed to two blind men, to see their desires and needs. In contrast, Jesus' question in John 4.16 was to reveal sin.

The name, legion, indicated that many demons had entered the man; but this was no barrier to the almighty power of the Son of God. The demons feared being banished (v10).

It was unusual for Jews to keep a "large herd of pigs" (v11); this was perhaps an indication that the people had departed from God's ways. It may also have been that Gentiles had settled in the area, bringing their own herds with them.

v13-14: The demons could only flee when Jesus gave permission; as a Jew, He had no problem with 2000 pigs being drowned. The man saw the pigs die, and doubtless realised that he could and should have died; the Lord demonstrates His concern for an individual. Mic 7.19: "You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea"; for He delights in mercy, and He has compassion for one needy soul.

v15-16: 'Restored' - the people from the nearby city were told what had happened. They saw a man totally changed; physically, he was clothed, and stopped self-abuse; mentally, he was sober minded and self-controlled; spiritually, he was sitting with Christ, later he declared what Christ had done for Him.

v17: 'Rejection' - the people feared the calm man more than the demon possessed man. This gracious demonstration of the power of Christ was more than they could cope with. Man's natural thinking seeks to keep 'religion' under control.

v18-20: 'Revelation' - Jesus would not take the man with Him. Rather, He left him with clear instructions to be a witness to his family. The man went further and proclaimed throughout Decapolis (ten cities) what the Lord had done for him.

v21: As soon as Jesus returned across the lake, a large crowd gathered to Him; He was very popular (v24, 27, 30-31), yet He had time for two individuals. The crowd was a mixed multitude, with a mixture of reasons for wanting to see Jesus.

v22-23: Jairus was an important man, a ruler of the synagogue. He worshipped Jesus; He had concern for His daughter, and He was confident of Christ's ability to help. Jesus honoured this desire, and demonstrated His own concern and power.

v24: Jesus went with Jairus. He had a concern for Jairus, in v36 He said to him, "Don't be afraid. Just believe." Although Jesus did answer Jairus' prayer, the answer was delayed.

v25-26: Like Jairus' daughter, the woman was in a serious condition, and had suffered for 12 years.

We see the spiritual bankruptcy of false religions ("many doctors"), which make man no better, but worse. They offer much, but deliver little.

v27: The woman was 'unclean', and had to come secretly, and from behind Jesus. In contrast, Jairus came openly.

The work of God in her life; she heard about Jesus; she touched Him; she felt and she knew His power; and she confessed.

v28: The woman, like Jairus, was confident of Christ's power to heal her.

v29: She was healed immediately (as in v42).

v30: Jesus stopped and turned around; He was concerned for the woman (10.49; Luke 10.33); He had come to give, for power had gone out from Him; there was real cost in His giving of Himself to bless.

v31-32: "Who touched my clothes?" Jesus evidently knew who had touched Him, but His question was an invitation for the woman to openly declare her faith. The disciples protested that, in a jostling crowd, it was impossible to tell of just one person who had touched Him, but He knew the touch of one needy life.

v33: The woman rightly fell down before the Lord, she was able to confess all to Him.

v34: The words of the Lord Jesus, words of comfort and peace; her suffering was at an end.

v35: Jairus' servants arrived with the message that his daughter had died; they felt that Jesus could not help her now; and Jairus himself would be discouraged (hence Jesus' reply, v36). Neither delay, nor deterioration, nor death are barriers to the Lord.

Jesus was truly omnipotent; we must never doubt His ability. His power exceeds our prayers and desires (Eph 3.20), and our unbelief.

v38: In Jewish culture, there was weeping and wailing in sorrow over death; Matt 25.30.

v39-40: The mourners, like the servants, did not believe that Jesus could raise the dead. In the midst of the sorrow, they laughed at Him in mockery.

v41-42: Jesus' manner was thoroughly dignified, without ostentation or show. The healing was complete and immediate. The instruction was that the incident should be kept secret, although it would be difficult to entirely stop people speaking of such a miracle.