Reading for January 31st

Read Mark 5. 1-20
In 5.1-20 the Geasene demoniac
Gerasa is in the Decapolis, a league of ten cities with mixed Jewish and gentile populations.
In verses 6-7 again, demons recognize Jesus' identity (1.24) while the disciples and family frequently do not.
In verse 9 a legion (a Latin term) consists of four to six thousand soldiers in the Roman army; the name given to demons suggests negative views of the empire.
In verse 17 fear stems from both Jesus' extraordinary powers and the threat of economic loss.
In verse 19 rather than command secrecy, Jesus mandates a proclamation; the announcement is made in the Decapolis rather than in primarily Jewish Galilee or Judea.
Comments of questions..