Mark 5:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consequently, they implored Jesus to depart from their region. They were fearful of experiencing further suffering. After losing the pigs and lamenting their loss, they also turned away from the presence of the Lord.

The dread they experienced led them to worry that an even greater calamity might befall them if the mysterious Man and His followers stayed in their land. Fearing the unknown, they refrained from taking any forceful action against the unexpected guests and implored Jesus to leave them, allowing them to continue in their prior state of spiritual oblivion. Jesus granted their request, but not entirely; in departing, He liberated them from the dominion of malevolent spirits.

They caused the death of two thousand swine, valuing them more than human life and what could be hoped for from the divine presence among them. In a disgraceful show of agreement, they implored Christ to leave their region. Christ had previously instructed His followers to refrain from giving sacred things to those unworthy, or casting precious truths before swine, “lest they trample them with their feet, and turn round and tear them up.” Consequently, He chose to depart from the unwelcoming land.

The shepherds, upon witnessing the remarkable events, rushed to share the news throughout the city and its surrounding villages. This astonishing information prompted the locals to flock to the scene to discover what had transpired. When they reached Jesus Christ, they found the man who had been afflicted by demons, identified as Legion, sitting peacefully at His feet, fully clothed and in his right mind, which filled them with dread. Those who had witnessed the miraculous event recounted the details of the man’s deliverance and the fate of the swine, instilling even greater fear in the hearts of the onlookers. They were terrified at the thought of further repercussions and, regretting their loss, rejected the presence of the Lord, as pointed out by Blessed Theophylact.