Mark 5:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A large herd of pigs is feeding on the hillside nearby.
What Does Mark 5:11 Mean?
Mark notes the scenery that will matter in a moment: a great herd of swine -- about two thousand, the narrative soon says -- feeding near the mountains. The detail confirms where we are. Pigs were unclean under the law (Leviticus 11:7); no herd like this would graze in Jewish territory.
The unclean spirits, the tombs, the swine: everything about this shore lies outside the boundaries of Israel's holiness. That is precisely where Jesus has landed. The verse is staging, but the staging preaches -- the Lord has carried his holiness into the heart of unclean country, not to be defiled by it but to set someone free in the middle of it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 5:11
What does Mark 5:11 mean?
A large herd of pigs is feeding on the hillside nearby.