Mark 5:11

Now there was there nigh vnto the mountaines a great herd of swine, feeding. Mark 5:11 (KJV)

The verse is part of the larger narrative in Mark 5:1‑20, which tells how Jesus healed a man possessed by an unclean spirit in the region of the Gadarenes (also called the Gerasenes or Gergesenes). After crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and His disciples arrived in this country, and as soon as He stepped ashore He encountered the demon‑possessed man.

Location and setting are highlighted by the phrase “nigh unto the mountains,” indicating that the event took place on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, an area of hills and cliffs. The mention of a “great herd of swine feeding” situates the scene in a place where pigs were being raised.

Swine were regarded as unclean animals under the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11:7‑8; Deuteronomy 14:8). Their presence therefore suggests that the inhabitants of this region were not Jewish, as Jews avoided keeping pigs. This cultural detail underscores the contrast between the Jewish Messiah and the Gentile setting.

The herd’s role carries symbolic weight. When Jesus commands the unclean spirits to leave the man, He permits them to enter the swine. The entire herd then rushes down a steep bank into the sea and drowns. This dramatic outcome demonstrates Jesus’ authority over the spiritual realm and His power to deliver individuals from demonic oppression.

The reaction of the local people follows the loss of the valuable swine. Witnesses fled to the nearby town and countryside to report what had happened. According to Mark, they were frightened and begged Jesus to leave their region (Mark 5:15‑17). Their fear was likely intensified by the economic loss and the terrifying display of supernatural power.

Overall, Mark 5:11 serves as a pivotal detail within the story of the Gerasene demoniac. It sets the geographical and cultural backdrop, highlights the unclean nature of the animals, and prepares the reader for the striking demonstration of Christ’s dominion over evil. The verse thus enriches our understanding of Jesus’ mission to confront and overcome the forces of darkness, even in places far from the Jewish heartland.