The occurrence which forms the subject of this lesson is recorded also in Matthew 8:28-34, and Luke 8:26-36.
Mark and Luke mention only one demoniac, however, while Matthew speaks of two. It seems probable that one must have been especially conspicuous, either by his great violence or by being the spokesman, or rather the medium through which the devils spoke to the Saviour. The text, however, presents no difficulty, since neither Mark nor Luke say that there was but one. Those who wish to find contradictions in the Scriptures must, therefore, seek elsewhere.
It is impossible to read this narrative without being impressed with the reality of the truth taught everywhere in the Scriptures, of the existence, not only of a personal devil, but of an innumerable company of personal demons. To deny this is to deny the teaching of our Lord, for He universally recognized the existence and the personality of evil spirits. He uniformly spoke of them, and to them, as real beings; which shows that He knew them to be such; for, recognizing Him as divine, we cannot for a moment suppose that He was either deceived himself, or that He deceived the people.
Just how evil spirits can take possession of men and control their actions, we do not know; but that they have done so in all ages of the world, we gather from the Scriptures. In the Old Testament those under the control of evil spirits were called witches, or wizards. In the time of our Saviour they were said to be possessed of the devil, or, as in one case, "possessed with a spirit of divination;" (Acts 16:16) margin, Python, which is simply another name for Satan. And in these days one class, at least, of such unfortunates are called mediums; and the system, instead of being called witchcraft, or necromancy, is known as Spiritualism.
It is not to be understood, however, that all who are possessed with evil spirits are mediums; nor does it follow that the control must be continuous. Some are undoubtedly under the satanic influence continually, while others are controlled only when placed under certain conditions.
That such control is possible may seem strange to those who have never given the subject any thought, and some may even doubt whether there be any such thing at all or not; but the Scriptures certainly teach the devil had such power eighteen hundred centuries ago, and why should he not have the same power now?
That he has this power, and that he exercises it, is neither strange nor incredible, when we consider that the nature of fallen men and fallen angels is the same now that it was then; that: "Satan as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour;" (1 Peter 5:8) and that only too many are taken captive by him at his will.
Just how evil spirits control men we do not know, but we know as much about it as we do about many other things which we believe. We do not know how one mind can influence the other, or how one person can mesmerize another, and yet we know that it is so. Probably it is in a similar manner that devils gain and hold control of those who give themselves up to be led by them.
Of course there are many different degrees of spirit control, and different manifestations. Not all who are possessed are mediums. The one of whose case we read in our lesson, was not a medium, but a wild and violent maniac, endowed with supernatural strength, while, on the other hand, the damsel who had the spirit of divination (Acts 16:16) was probably as mild-mannered and tractable as any one, yet she was under the control of one or more evil spirits.
The tomb referred to in this lesson were sepulchers, or caves, made in the hill-sides for the reception of the dead, some of them hewn out of solid rock. But though intended originally for burial places, many of them had become the dwelling-places of fierce robbers, and places of shelter for such men as the one whose story forms the basis of this lesson.
It was from one of these caverns that this fierce and repulsive creature emerged, bruised, bleeding, and covered with filth. But repulsive and horrible as was his appearance, the Saviour had compassion upon him, as He also has upon the sinner, of whom this demoniac is a fit representative.
All who live in sin are in a measure under the power Satan, and morally they are just as repulsive as was this fierce demoniac. The pitiable condition of such is thus described by the prophet: "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the soul of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores; they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment." (Isaiah 1:5-6)
But Jesus has compassion on them, and though, like the poor man in our lesson, they cry out to be let alone, if the Saviour can discern in them anything whatever that responds to His love, He rebukes the unclean spirit, and gives the poor sin-sick souls power to become sons of God.--Signs of the Times, February 4, 1889--Notes on the International Lesson, February 10--Timeline: IV-27 (The Demoniacs of Gadara)--Mark 5:1-20.