Mark 5:8 Meaning and Explanation
“For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The spirit cried out because Jesus had already commanded it to come out of the man.
What Does Mark 5:8 Mean?
Mark steps back a beat to explain the outburst: Jesus had been saying, "Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." The shriek of the previous verse was not an opening move but a reaction. The command had already fallen.
Notice how Jesus speaks. No ceremony, no formula, no struggle -- a direct order, as one with authority. And notice what the command assumes: the spirit and the man are not the same. "Come out of the man" -- Jesus addresses the evil as an intruder and treats the man as territory to be liberated, never confusing the captive with his captor. He still makes that distinction, seeing the person beneath everything that holds them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 5:8
What does Mark 5:8 mean?
The spirit cried out because Jesus had already commanded it to come out of the man.