The word legion refers to a very large number or multitude. In (Mathew 26:53) Jesus used the term when he said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” When referring to the Roman army, a legion meant 3000-6000 foot soldiers. We also find in the Bible a being or beings who called themselves Legion. Who was this self-proclaimed Legion?
The Demons And The Pigs
In (Mark 5:1-20) there is an interesting story to say the least about demons and pigs. It begins when Jesus arrives at an area called the Gerasenes. A man possessed by an evil spirit comes out of a cemetery to meet Jesus. The Bible says the man lived and wandered among the tombs and would cry out and cut himself with stones. He could not be restrained even with chains because he would break them. (Mark 5:1-5)
My Name Is Legion
When the possessed man saw Jesus he ran to meet him and fell on his knees before him. He screamed, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, don’t torture me!” In a conversation between Jesus and the evil spirit Jesus said, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit.” Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” The spirit replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many inside this man.” (Mark 5:6-9)
As the evil spirits begged Jesus over and over not to send them far away, there happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on a nearby hillside. The demons begged, “Let us enter the pigs.” When Jesus gave them permission the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs. The herd of about 2000 pigs then rushed down the steep hillside into a lake and drowned. The man who had been possessed by the legion of demons was found by the people fully clothed and in his right mind. (Mark 5:10-15)
While the Bible doesn’t say exactly how many demons were in the man, it was certainly a lot seeing as how they caused a couple thousand pigs to jump in a lake. Regardless of the number, they were obviously no match for Jesus.
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