Mark 5:12
New International Version
The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.”

New Living Translation
“Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”

English Standard Version
and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.”

Berean Standard Bible
So the demons begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.”

Berean Literal Bible
And they begged Him, saying, "Send us into the pigs, so that we may enter into them."

King James Bible
And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

New King James Version
So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.”

New American Standard Bible
And the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us into the pigs so that we may enter them.”

NASB 1995
The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.”

NASB 1977
And the demons entreated Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the demons pleaded with Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.”

Amplified Bible
And the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the pigs so that we may go into them!”

Christian Standard Bible
The demons begged him, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The demons begged Him, “Send us to the pigs, so we may enter them.”

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

Contemporary English Version
So the evil spirits begged Jesus, "Send us into those pigs! Let us go into them."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The demons begged him, "Send us into the pigs! Let us enter them!"

Good News Translation
So the spirits begged Jesus, "Send us to the pigs, and let us go into them."

International Standard Version
So the demons begged him, "Send us among the pigs, so that we can go into them!"

Majority Standard Bible
So all the demons begged Jesus, ?Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.?

NET Bible
And the demonic spirits begged him, "Send us into the pigs. Let us enter them."

New Heart English Bible
And they begged him, saying, "Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them."

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the demons besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Weymouth New Testament
So they besought Jesus. "Send us to the swine," they said, "so that we may enter into them."

World English Bible
All the demons begged him, saying, “Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and all the demons called on Him, saying, “Send us to the pigs, that into them we may enter”;

Berean Literal Bible
And they begged Him, saying, "Send us into the pigs, so that we may enter into them."

Young's Literal Translation
and all the demons did call upon him, saying, 'Send us to the swine, that into them we may enter;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the demons besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we might enter into them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the spirits besought him, saying: Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the spirits entreated him, saying: “Send us into the swine, so that we may enter into them.”

New American Bible
And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.”

New Revised Standard Version
and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the lunatics begged him saying, Send us to the swine, that we may attack them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And those evil spirits were begging of him and they were saying, “Send us unto those swine that we may enter them.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the demons besought him, saying: Send us to the swine, that we may enter into them.

Godbey New Testament
And they intreated Him, saying, Send us into the swine, in order that we may go into them.

Haweis New Testament
and all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Mace New Testament
and all the demons intreated him, saying, "send us to the swine, that we may enter into them."

Weymouth New Testament
So they besought Jesus. "Send us to the swine," they said, "so that we may enter into them."

Worrell New Testament
And they besought Him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them."

Worsley New Testament
and all the demons intreated Him, saying, Send us to the swine, that we may enter into them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Demons and the Pigs
11There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. 12So the demons begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.” 13He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water.…

Cross References
Matthew 8:31
So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

Luke 8:32
There on the hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.

Matthew 8:28-34
When Jesus arrived on the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, He was met by two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. / “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?” / In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. ...

Luke 8:26-39
Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. / When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothing or lived in a house, but he stayed in the tombs. / When the man saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, shouting in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You not to torture me!” ...

Matthew 4:24
News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them.

Luke 4:33-36
In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon. He cried out in a loud voice, / “Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” / But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him. ...

Matthew 12:43-45
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. / Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. / Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”

Luke 11:24-26
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ / On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. / Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first.”

Acts 19:13-16
Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” / Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. / But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ...

James 2:19
You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 16:13-14
And I saw three unclean spirits that looked like frogs coming out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. / These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.


Treasury of Scripture

And all the devils sought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Job 1:10-12
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land…

Job 2:5
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Luke 22:31,32
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: …

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Allow Begged Besought Demons Devils Enter Implored Jesus Pigs Swine
Mark 5
1. Jesus delivering the possessed of the legion of demons,
13. they enter into the pigs.
22. He is entreated by Jairus to go and heal his daughter.
25. He heals the woman subject to bleeding,
35. and raises Jairus' daughter from death.














So the demons
The term "demons" in this context refers to unclean spirits, which are often depicted in the New Testament as malevolent beings opposed to God. The Greek word used here is "daimonion," which indicates a supernatural entity. In the historical and scriptural context, demons are understood to be fallen angels, part of the spiritual warfare between good and evil. Their presence in this narrative highlights the reality of spiritual battles and the authority of Jesus over all spiritual realms.

begged Jesus
The act of begging indicates a recognition of authority and power. The Greek word "parakaleó" is used here, which means to call to one's side, to entreat, or to beseech. This demonstrates the demons' acknowledgment of Jesus' supreme authority over them. In a broader theological context, this moment underscores the sovereignty of Christ, who commands even the spiritual forces of darkness. It is a powerful reminder of the ultimate victory of good over evil through Jesus.

Send us
The phrase "send us" reflects the demons' desire to remain in a physical form, even if it means inhabiting animals. The Greek word "apostelló" is used, which means to send away or dispatch. This request shows the desperation of the demons to avoid being cast into the abyss, a place of confinement for evil spirits. It also illustrates the authority of Jesus to determine their fate, reinforcing His control over the spiritual realm.

to the pigs
Pigs were considered unclean animals according to Jewish law, as outlined in Leviticus 11:7. The choice of pigs as a destination for the demons is significant, as it aligns with their unclean nature. This setting in the region of the Gerasenes, a predominantly Gentile area, provides a cultural and historical backdrop where pigs were more commonly raised. Theologically, this moment serves as a symbol of the cleansing power of Jesus, who purifies and restores what is defiled.

so that we may enter them
The demons' request to enter the pigs reveals their intent to continue their destructive influence, albeit in a different form. The Greek word "eiserchomai" means to go into or enter. This desire to inhabit another host underscores the parasitic nature of evil, which seeks to corrupt and destroy. In a broader spiritual sense, this highlights the importance of vigilance and spiritual discernment in resisting evil influences in our lives.

Verse 12. - Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And he gave them leave. They could not enter even into the swine without Christ's permission; how much less into "the sheep of his pasture"!

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[So]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the demons] begged
παρεκάλεσαν (parekalesan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

[Jesus],
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Send
Πέμψον (Pempson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3992: To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth.

us
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

pigs,
χοίρους (choirous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5519: A swine, hog, sow. Of uncertain derivation; a hog.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

we may enter
εἰσέλθωμεν (eiselthōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

them.”
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Mark 5:12 All the demons begged him saying Send (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 5:11
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