Mark 5:8 Commentary and Bible Study

When Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man, the spirit pleaded with him not to torment it. The demons are aware that the Day of Judgment is coming when they will be eternally punished for all their wickedness, and they know it is Christ who will be their judge. They know there is nothing they can do to prevent that day coming, but these demons knew enough to understand that that day had not yet come. They are terrified however that they are going to be sent into judgment early, because of this – from their point of view – unfortunate encounter with the incarnate Son of God. They fear that in their case the judgment has been brought forward and they will be judged ahead of time. Christ has evidently sought them out and drawn this man to him. They know some things but their knowledge is limited. They hang onto every hour of freedom before they are banished to eternal torment in hell, prepared for the devil and his angels, but nothing can change their future destiny. They are unable to reform or change themselves, and continue to will with all their being to do evil. What a terrifying position to be in! They are unable to repent, nor has God at any time ever offered them forgiveness or redemption. They know they cannot resist the power of Christ and so they are terrified. Torment is certainly coming – they can expect nothing else – so they beg Christ not to implement it immediately; they fear perhaps that he is going to make an example of them. This first miracle in chapter 5 is about Christ’s initiative. He came from heaven. We never asked him to come. He suffered and died on Calvary, taking the initiative to make a way of salvation for us. He steps ashore and he deals with this man. He casts out the demons from him and he brings blessing to him. The man never asked. He never wanted it. In fact, he resists it! But he is compelled by the presence and the power of the Lord to approach him and to do obeisance. That is what we call sovereign grace and the irresistible grace of Christ.