Mark narrates the same miracle as occurring in the country of the Gadarenes, except there is one man instead of two (Mark V:1-20). The sufferings of this man, who is possessed of "an unclean spirit," are described in some detail. The spirit, being asked for his "name," says, "My name is Legion; for we are many." Thereupon he or they beseech Jesus not to send them away out of the country, but: "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them." Jesus "gave them leave," and they entered into the swine ("they were about two thousand") and the swine ran violently down a steep place, and "were choked in the sea."
Luke's account (Luke VIII:26-40) follows substantially that of Mark. There was one man in the country of the Gadarenes "which had devils a long time." The devil or devils besought Jesus "that He would not command them to go out into the deep," but would send them into the swine. This Jesus does, and the swine run down a steep place and are choked in the sea.
All three accounts agree that, after the miracle, "the whole city," or "the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about," besought Jesus to depart from them. The only reason given for this action is the statement of Luke "for they were taken with great fear" (Luke VIII:37).
John does not mention this miracle.[23]
THE RAISING OF THE DEAD
There are three miracles of this class in the Gospels.
The first (apparently) in point of time is related by Luke (Luke VII:11-17).[24] The day after the curing of the centurion's servant at Capernaum (Luke VII:1), Jesus went into a city called Nain, with "many of His disciples" and "much people" (Luke VII:11). Nain was an inland city in the southern part of Galilee, some distance from Capernaum and the sea of Galilee. This is the only time that this city is mentioned in the four Gospels. As Jesus approaches the city, the dead man is carried out, followed by his mother, a widow, and "much people of the city" (Luke VII:12). Apparently without any solicitation, Jesus tells the dead man to arise, "and he that was dead sat up and began to speak" (Luke VII:13, 14, 15). The dead man and his relatives are not otherwise identified and there is no reference to this miracle in any of the other Gospels.
The next miracle of this class is that of Jairus' daughter.
Matthew relates that, while Jesus was at Capernaum after the miracle of the Gadarene swine (Matt. IX:1, 10), a "certain ruler" came to Him and said: "My daughter is even now dead; but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live" (Matt. IX:18). In answer to this request Jesus and His disciples go to the ruler's house, and find "the minstrels and the people making a noise." Jesus says, "Give place, for the maid is not dead but sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, He went in and took her by the hand, and the maid arose" (Matt. IX:23, 24, 25). On the way to the ruler's house occurs the miracle of the woman with an issue of blood touching Jesus' garment and being cured (Matt. IX:20, 21, 22).
Mark places this miracle immediately after that of the Gadarene swine, when Jesus had passed over the sea (Galilee) unto the other side (Capernaum), nigh unto the sea (Mark V:21). "One of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name," came to Him and told Him, "My little daughter lieth at the point of death" (Mark V:23). Jesus takes with him only Peter and James and John, and, on the way to the ruler's house, word is brought that the daughter is dead (Mark V:35, 37). Jesus brings the father, mother, Peter, James and John into the girl's room, takes her by the hand and bids her arise. At once she arose and walked, "for she was of the age of twelve years" (Mark V:40, 41, 42). The curing of the woman with the issue of blood is also given, but at considerable more length than in Matthew (Mark V:25-34).