The Three that fell at Jesus' Feet
Devotional Study on Mark 5:1-43
The study is broken up into:
1. Summary Recap of Chapter 4
2. Summary of the Three Stories recorded
3. Contrasts between the three people Jesus encounters
4. Similarities of the three people Jesus encounters
1. “THE THREE THAT FELL AT JESUS’ FEET”
MARK 5:1-43 NOTES
The Recap from Chapter 4 that sets up Chapter 5:
Jesus was speaking to the crowd in parables. However, He explained the parables plainly to His disciples (the
secrets of the Kingdom revealed to them while it was remained hidden to the crowd).
Jesus spoke in parables to illustrate a truth or life lesson. It was intended for those in the crowd who were willing
to hear and obey what Jesus was conveying.
Jesus calmed the storm at sea (while crossing over to the side-Gerasenes region) which not only frightened the
disciples but caused them to question who He is (for the disciples still did not fully understand who Jesus is).
Jesus will demonstrate to His disciples that He is God and has power and authority over demons, sickness, and
even death.
THE SUMMARY OF THE THREE STORIES
(MAN, GIRL, WOMAN)
*VERSES 1-20* *VERSES 21-24 & 35-43* *VERSES 25-34*
THE MAN POSSESSED
WITH MANY DEMONS
THE DEATH OF JAIRUS’
12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
THE WOMAN WHO WAS AFFLICTED
WITH A 12 YEAR BLOOD ISSUE
BEFORE: FROM BEING A SLAVE TO
DEMONS
AFTER: TO BEING SET FREE BY CHRIST
BEFORE: FROM DYING YOUNG
AFTER: TO BEING RAISED TO LIFE BY
CHRIST
BEFORE: FROM SUFFERING A 12 YEAR
DISEASE
AFTER: TO BEING INSTANTLY HEALED
BY CHRIST
2. Gerasenes (which literally means those
who come from a pilgrimage or fight) was a
region populated mostly with Gentiles
(not much Jewish in this region)
Jesus and His disciples are met by this
man while they got off the boat and set
foot upon the region.
The man’s name is never mentioned in
the Gospel account. However, the
demons who possessed the man said
they were called “Legion”, for they
were many in him.
A Legion in the Roman army consisted
of 6,000 Roman soldiers in the battalion.
The demons who possessed this man
gave him super human strength (as he
would often break the chains and fetters
that bound him and no one was able to
subdue him) and supernatural
knowledge as He knew Jesus is the Son
of the Most High God.
They would often torment this man
night and day by crying out in the
tombs while cutting himself with
stones.
He lived among the tombs as the people
of the region drove him out (for they
didn’t want such a mad man to live
among them) and was found to be
naked (as he was found clothed and in
his right mind).
The demons feared Jesus and came
and fell at his feet. They begged Jesus
When Jesus departed from Gerasenes and
crossed over to other side of the lake, he
was met by a large crowd and by man
named Jairus (my light, the one who diffuses
light).
Jairus was known as the ruler of the
Synagogues (who must have been closely
affiliated with the Pharisees and Scribes)
The job for a ruler of the synagogue was
to look after the building, its contents,
and its arrangements for worship.
He fell at Jesus’ feet in humility and
begged Jesus to heal his daughter who
was on the verge of death.
Jesus agrees to follow him while the large
crowd accompanies them as well.
After Jesus heals the woman of the blood
issue, people from Jairus’ household
announced the death of his daughter.
John, Peter, and James (brother of John)
are allowed to go with Jesus into Jairus
home while the rest of the disciples and
the large crowd wait outside.
Jesus sees those in Jairus home mourning
and weeping (assuming these were hired
mourners in those days) over the death of
Jairus’ daughter.
The fearful and hopeless Jairus is
instructed by Jesus to not be afraid but
only believe!
Jesus tells everyone present that the child
is not dead but is sleeping (which
Jesus and his disciples encountered a
woman who suffered a blood issue for
12 years while on the way to heal
Jairus’ daughter.
The woman’s name is never mentioned
in the Gospel account. However, Jesus
calls her “Daughter”. This may
indicate Jesus calling her a daughter
because she believed in Him.
She was among the crowd that pressed
against Jesus.
She was desperate to see Jesus as she
had spent all her money on doctors
and physicians to heal or treat her
condition (assuming it led her to being
poor). However, they couldn’t find a
cure for her disease and she had gotten
worse ever since.
She heard of reports of Jesus in the
area and His reputation of healing
people miraculously and she joins the
large crowd following after Jesus who
was on his way to heal Jairus’
daughter.
She blended in with the crowd to get
close to Jesus in order to at least touch
the hem of his garments (in hopes of
getting healed). Doing this in secret
will not draw attention to herself (as
the Law of Moses states anyone with
this kind of disease is unclean and
whoever touches her will be unclean).
She was in fear of getting exposed and
3. to not torment them and not send them
out of the country. However, they
bargained with Jesus as they begged
him to enter into the pigs that were
feeding by the nearby hillside.
Jesus grants them their request and they
enter into the pigs and jump off the cliff
into the sea (which they end up
drowning).
The Herdsmen who witnessed all that
had taken place went into to town to tell
others.
When they return, they see the once
possessed man clothed and in his right
mind which made them fear Jesus.
The Irony: The Demons begged Jesus
not to send them away but when the
people of the town and the herdsmen
see that the man is back to normal, they
beg Jesus to be sent away from their
region out of fear. However, we now
see the man begging Jesus to go with
him. Yet Jesus tells him to go back home
and tell his friends what the Lord has
done and that the Lord has shown
mercy upon him.
Conclusion: The man goes away and
began to tell in the Decapolis (ten cities)
how much Jesus had done for him
(which the people marveled at his
testimony).
prompts the mourners to laugh and
ridicule him).
Jesus goes in with his closest disciples
along with Jairus and his wife to see
Jairus’ daughter’s lifeless body.
Jesus takes the dead girl by the hand and
commands her to get up which she stands
up and walks (which amazes the
disciples, the wife of Jairus, and Jairus
himself).
Jesus gives strict orders not to let anyone
know about what He did to Jairus’
daughter.
Conclusion: He instructs them to get her
something to eat (proving she is alive and
well).
NOTE: Jesus proved to everyone present
that she was truly raised to life:
1. He takes her by the hand
2. She immediately awakens and gets
up
3. She begins walking
4. He instructs them to give her
something to eat.
ostracized for her uncleanness either
by the disciples, the Lord Himself, or
by the large crowd.
She found herself instantly healed after
touching Jesus (the blood dried up and
she felt in her body that she was freed
from such affliction). Jesus felt His
power had gone out from Him-but He
knew who had touched him through
the large crowd.
The woman fell at his feet out of
trembling fear and told Him the truth
(expecting Jesus would scold her for
touching Him as she was unclean).
However, it was the opposite. Jesus
comforts her and states that it was her
faith in Him that healed her.
Conclusion: Jesus tells her to go in
peace and be free from her affliction.
NOTE: Notice that the woman was
instantly healed of her affliction. Many
so called “faith healers” cannot heal
instantly like Jesus. This proves these
faith healers you see on T.V. to be none
other than “fake healers.” They are
nothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing
who are exploiting vulnerable people
into giving them money for their selfish
gain.
4. THE CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE THREE CHARACTERS IN THE STORIES
(MAN, GIRL, WOMAN)
THE MAN POSSESSED
WITH MANY DEMONS
THE DEATH OF JAIRUS’
12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
THE WOMAN WHO WAS AFFLICTED
WITH A 12 YEAR BLOOD ISSUE
The Problem: Man was under the power and
control of the Devil.
The Problem: Jairus’ daughter fell victim by
the power and control of death.
The Problem: The woman with the blood issue
was afflicted by the effects of sin.
The Solution: Jesus demonstrated His power
over demons by setting the man free from
demonic possession and to return to the society
that rejected him.
The Solution: Jesus demonstrated His power
over death by raising his daughter to life
regardless of the delay and to give her a second
chance at life.
The Solution: Jesus demonstrated His power to
heal any sickness or disease regardless of how
many years she suffered that affliction.
Nationality: He was of Gentile decent
(Non-Jew)
Nationality: Her and her father Jairus were of
Jewish decent
Nationality: She was of Jewish decent
Posture: Demons displayed fear in the presence
of Jesus
Posture: Jairus displayed humility in the
presence of Jesus
Posture: Woman was timid and fearful in the
presence of Jesus
Spiritual Condition: LOST Spiritual Condition: LAST Spiritual Condition: LEAST
The Request:
Demons begged Jesus:
“Send us to the pigs, so we may enter them”.
The Request:
Jairus begged Jesus:
“My little daughter is at death’s door. Come
lay hands on her so she can get well and live”.
The Request:
The woman begged Jesus in her heart:
“If I can just touch the hem of his garments, I’ll
be made well”.
What the Lord Says:
“Come out of the man, you unclean spirit”!
“What is your name”?
“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the
Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on
you.”
What the Lord Says:
“Do not be afraid! Only believe”!
“Why all this commotion and wailing! The child is
not dead but asleep!”
“Talitha Koum!” (which translates, Little Girl, I say to
you, Get Up!)
What the Lord Says:
“Who touched me”?
“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in
peace and be healed of your affliction.”
5. What the Lord Does:
Demons are casted out and entered the
pigs. They eventually jump off the cliff
to their deaths (drowning in the sea).
Man is set free (he is clothed and is in
his right mind).
What the Lord Does:
The Lord raises her from the dead.
She is able to stand up.
She is able to walk.
She is given something to eat after
being raised to life.
What the Lord Does:
The Lord shows compassion to her
(rather than scolding her).
She is instantly healed of her affliction.
Notice the difference: Her faith in Jesus
is what healed him. Not faith in herself!
What did this miracle reveal about Christ?
He is God in the flesh!
He is the Son of the Most High God!
He is sovereign over the devil and his
demons!
He is the Lord who shows mercy
He is the God of both Jews and Gentiles
What did this miracle reveal about Christ?
He is God in the flesh!
He is the Messiah of Israel
He is the Resurrection
He is the Life (Life-giver)
He is sovereign over death!
What did this miracle reveal about Christ?
He is God in the flesh!
He is the Messiah of Israel
He is sovereign over sickness and
diseases
He is full of grace and truth!
What Seemed Impossible:
No man can subdue him (he would
often break the chains and fetters that
bound him)
He was a lost cause to the society
around him. Not even those in society
and those who cared for him had hope
in him.
He was tormented day and night by the
demons inhabiting him.
He lived in the tombs alone and away
from his home, family, and friends.
The herdsmen considered him to be
more of a wild animal than their pigs.
What Seemed Impossible:
She died before Jesus got to her which
prompted Jairus’ household to be
hopeless and tell Jairus to stop
bothering Jesus of this request.
Jairus was fearful and was doubting
Jesus could even raise her from the
dead.
The mourners were crying and weeping
as she died at a young age.
The mourners believed Jesus was crazy
when he said “She’s not dead but
asleep”. They assumed she is dead and
gone and there’s nothing He could do
for her.
What Seemed Impossible:
She endured 12 years of this affliction.
No doctor or physician can treat or heal
her affliction.
She spent all of her money to find a cure.
However, this led to her poverty.
The large crowd became an obstacle for
her to get near to Jesus.
Her affliction was getting worse which
made her desperate even more to see
Jesus (to be healed).
She was afraid that Jesus would scold
and humiliate her in the midst of the
large crowd.
Names Mentioned:
Man is unnamed
Demons inside the man give their name
to Jesus (Legion)
Names Mentioned:
Jairus is named
Daughter of Jairus is unnamed
Jesus calls her “little girl”
Names Mentioned:
Woman is unnamed
Jesus calls her “Daughter”
6. Testimony:
Jesus tells the man to go home and tell his
friends what the Lord did for Him and that the
Lord showed mercy on Him.
Testimony:
He instructs all those who witness her raising
from the dead to not say anything about what
had happened. We are not told as to why Jesus
instructed them not to but what was written
was meant for us to know.
Testimony:
Out of all the people in the large crowd, Jesus
heals only her and grants her request to be
made well. He tells her to go in peace and be
freed from her affliction. This indicates she left
healed and we can only assume that she told
everyone who cared for her about Jesus!
Modern Day Application:
Jesus comes to seek the lost and can
truly save the most evil, demonic, vile,
and wicked person in the world.
Although our society may consider
them as a lost cause, the Lord sees them
as worthy to be saved and redeemed!
There is no one in this world that is out
of His reach for Him to save and
deliver!
Not even the Kingdom of darkness can
stand up against Him! As we clearly see
in this Gospel account that even a
legion of 6,000 demons feared, begged,
and fell at the feet of Jesus!
The will of the Devil is to kill, steal, and
destroy! These demons who possessed
the man were carrying out the will of
the Devil through the man. However,
when Jesus came on the scene, He put a
stop to all of that! The Bible states that
Jesus came to destroy the works of the
devil and through His death, He
defeated the one who had the power of
death!
Modern Day Application:
When death entered the world through
sin (through Adam and Eve), Christ
came to this world to die for our sins
and to give us eternal life. Hence, He
came to reverse the curse!
The Lord compared physical death to
sleep as it is not the end for the believer.
Physical death is the temporary
separation of the soul from the body.
Not even death can separate us from
the love of God.
Jesus tasted death for everyone so that
we may not fear death any longer. He
rose from the dead so that we too can
share in His resurrection (that means
we will obtain a resurrected and
glorified body just as He had a
resurrected and glorified body when He
appeared to His disciples). He
conquered death for us so that death
has no power over us. Therefore, we
have conquered death because of Him.
The gates of Hell cannot prevail against
His Church! The Church will never fail,
though generation after generation,
succumbs to the power of physical
Modern Day Application:
Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy that He
took our infirmities and bore our
sicknesses.
Jesus can heal anyone of any disease or
sickness they are suffering. Nothing is too
impossible for Him to do.
God can use different forms of healing:
Natural Healing (God created our
bodies to heal and recover on its
own-Gradually)
Healing through Modern Medicine
(through doctors and physicians-
Eventually)
Supernatural Healing (instant
healing that is attributed by the
power of God-Immediately)
Healing does not come from our faith in
our prayers! Healing can only come
through faith in God alone who
determines if He wants to heal you or not.
It is not always God’s will to heal us.
However, we must continue to trust Him
and persevere in our faith because He may
have another plan to demonstrate His
glory through our afflictions.
God may use suffering to conform us in
the image of His Son. Producing
7. Darkness bows to the Light of the
World (Jesus) and it is His light that
exposes the darkness.
Although Jesus came to save the lost
sheep of Israel (Jews), He also came to
save the other sheep (Gentiles). Jesus
would later appoint Paul to be the
apostle to the Gentiles to open their
eyes, so that they may turn from
darkness to light, from the power of
Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sin and a place among
those who are sanctified by faith in
Him.
We should never forget what God did
for us: He has rescued us from the
dominion of darkness and brought us
into the Kingdom of His Dear Son Jesus.
Just as the man was enslaved by
demons, we too were slaves to sin
prior to being saved. Yet Jesus came to
seek us out and free us from our sins
so that we may be able to freely serve
Him!
Just as the man was given new life by
Christ and his old life was no more
(being possessed by demons), we too
have been given a new life in Christ
and our old life has died (passed
away).
death, yet other generations will rise to
preserve the spreading of the Gospel!
The Church will continue to fulfill the
Great Commission until the Lord
returns for His Church!
Death has no sting over the
Resurrection and the Life (Jesus).
The young girl was not resurrected but
was resuscitated (raised to life). The
difference between resurrection and
resuscitation, or re-animation is that
resurrection refers to putting on a new,
incorruptible, and glorified body (like
Jesus), while re-animation, or
resuscitation, refers to being raised back
from the dead and put back into the old,
corruptible, and mortal body that you
previously died in. You will continue to
live on but you will eventually die
again. This was the case of the young
girl (Jairus’ daughter).
Just as the large crowd became a
stumbling block for Jairus to get to
Jesus, Religion and Pride can become
stumbling blocks to our faith in the
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The only
way to overcome Religion and Pride is
by humility! God draws near to those
who humble themselves!
endurance, character, and hope in and
through us!
Although we may suffer pain, sickness,
and disease in this life, we are promised
that in Heaven, there will be no more
pain, sickness, and disease!
The Lord is both the Divine Physician
and the Cure over all our sickness and
diseases.
Just as the large crowd became a
stumbling block for the woman to get to
Jesus, doubt and anxiety can become
stumbling blocks to our faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ. The only way to overcome
doubt and anxiety is to simply place your
faith in Christ alone! Whatever the
circumstance you are going through, trust
Him with all your heart! Even if we lose
everything like this woman did, we
should never lose our hope in Him!
Like the crowd pressing onto Jesus, you
can hear and bump into Jesus in church
but if you do not reach out and touch
Jesus in faith, then you have never
experienced a real relationship with
Jesus. Do you truly know Him as Lord
and Savior? Or do you know Him just as
an acquaintance?
Does Jesus see you among the crowd like
He did with the woman?
8. THE SIMILIARITIES OF THE THREE CHARACTERS IN THE STORIES
(MAN, GIRL, WOMAN)
THE MAN POSSESSED
WITH MANY DEMONS
THE DEATH OF JAIRUS’
12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
THE WOMAN WHO WAS
AFFLICTED
WITH A 12 YEAR BLOOD ISSUE
It was the demons’ faith in Jesus that
brought the man to the Lord (that lead to
His salvation).
NOTE: The demons expressed faith in Jesus only out of
dreadful fear of being tormented by Him (pronouncing
judgment upon them). This not a true saving faith as
saving faith submits and surrenders willfully to Christ.
It was Jairus’ faith in Jesus that gave his
daughter a second chance to live again.
NOTE: Jairus was a pharisee like Nicodemus and
Joseph of Arimathea who believed in Jesus. We
are not given any details if he was a secret
follower or not. One thing we do know is that he
believed.
It was the woman’s faith in Jesus that
brought instant and complete healing to
her.
NOTE: The Law of Moses labeled her as unclean and
she was not able to be enter the temple and partake in
worship with other Jews as that was the dwelling place
of the Most Holy God (it was the holiest place in all of
Israel).
Man was freed due to the intercession of
the demons inhabiting him.
He was given a normal life to live thanks to
Jesus!
Jairus’ daughter’s life was given back to her
(raising from the dead) because of her
father’s intercession on her behalf.
She can grow up and live a normal life
thanks to Jesus!
Woman was freed from her affliction
when she interceded for herself.
She was given a normal life to live free
from her affliction thanks to Jesus!
Demons were casted out from the man
Evil angels casted out
Death was casted out of the young girl
Wages of Sin (Death) casted out
Disease was casted out of the woman
Effects of sin (affliction) casted out
N/A Jairus’ daughter was 12 years old when she
died
Woman suffered the affliction for 12 years
N/A Jairus was among the large crowd Woman was among the large crowd
N/A Jairus was wealthy (he was a ruler of the
synagogue)
Woman was wealthy until she spent all the
money she had to treat or heal her affliction
Demons begged desperately and fell at Jesus’
feet
Jairus begged desperately and fell at Jesus’ feet Woman begged desperately and fell at Jesus’
feet
9. Demons trembled with fear in the presence of
Jesus
Jairus trembled with fear when he received news
that his daughter had died
Woman trembled with fear in the presence of
Jesus
Demons were desperate to not be sent out of
the country
Jairus was desperate for Jesus to heal his
daughter who is on the verge of death
Woman was desperate for Jesus to heal her
completely
Man lived alone in the tombs Young girl died and body was left alone in the
room
Woman lived alone (as she was unclean
because of her affliction)
Man was often bound in chains and fetters
(which he always broke free from)
Young girl was bound by death Woman was bound by her affliction
Man lost his will and sanity (being possessed
by demons)
Young girl lost her life-Jairus lost his daughter
when she died
Woman lost all her money trying to be cured
or treated of her affliction.
Man had an unclean spirit in Him and lived in
tombs (unclean place) that was nearby unclean
animals (pigs)
Young girl was unclean as she was dead and
now a corpse (ready for burial).
Woman was unclean because of her affliction.
Fear God and not evil (demons)
Jesus is the only Lord and Savior who can set
us free from sin!
FAITH IN GOD TRIUMPHS OVER ALL
EVIL!
Fear God and not death
Jesus is the only Lord and Savior who overcame
death for us!
FAITH IN GOD TRIUMPHS OVER FEAR OF
DEATH!
Fear God and not your afflictions
Jesus is the only Lord and Savior who can heal
us physically, mentally, and spiritually!
FAITH IN GOD TRIUMPHS OVER ALL
SUFFERING!
Demons abandoned their power and control
over the man when they encountered Jesus
Their fear in Him brought the man over to
Jesus
Jairus abandoned religion and humbled himself
when He encountered Jesus
His faith (in Christ) led him to the One who has
power over death.
Woman abandoned the fear of rejection and
condemnation of the Law when she
encountered Jesus.
Her faith in Jesus alone brought her to Him.
Demons caused the man to cut himself
(touched)
Demons entered the pigs (touched) after being
cast out of the man
Jairus believed if Jesus laid hands on her
(touched),
she will be well and alive.
Jesus took the young girl by the hand (touched)
Woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment
Jesus’ power went out from him and healed
the woman of her affliction (touched)