Mark 5:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The man lives among the tombs, and no one can restrain him any longer, not even with chains.
What Does Mark 5:3 Mean?
Mark pauses the story to describe the man's condition. His dwelling is among the tombs, outside every boundary of family and community, and his neighbors' attempts to restrain him have all failed. Chains, the strongest measure available, cannot hold him.
The detail is more than background; it is a verdict on human remedies. Chains can only confine a man -- they cannot heal him, and here they cannot even confine. Society's last resort has already been tried and broken. The verse prepares us to see what only Christ can do: not restrain the sufferer but free him. What no one could bind, Jesus is about to release.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 5:3
What does Mark 5:3 mean?
The man lives among the tombs, and no one can restrain him any longer, not even with chains.