Legion

Legion is the name given to a demon or group of demons mentioned in the accounts of Jesus' ministry in the region of the Gerasenes, as recorded in Mrk.5.1-20 and Luke 8:26-39.

In both accounts, Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by demons. When Jesus asks the demon its name, the response is "Legion," for many demons had entered the man (Mrk.5.9; Luke 8:30). The name "Legion" is derived from the Roman military term for a unit of 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers, emphasizing the large number of demons possessing the man.

The demon-possessed man is described as living among the tombs, crying out, and cutting himself with stones. He had extraordinary strength, breaking chains and shackles used to restrain him. The demons begged Jesus not to send them out of the area and requested to enter a nearby herd of pigs. Jesus granted their request, and the demons entered the pigs, causing the herd to rush down a steep bank into the sea and drown.

The use of the name "Legion" highlights the severity of the man's possession and the immense power and control the demons had over him. It also demonstrates Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm, as He commanded the demons to leave the man, and they obeyed.

The deliverance of the demon-possessed man served as a powerful testimony to the surrounding region. The man, now clothed and in his right mind, began to proclaim what Jesus had done for him, spreading the message of Jesus' power and compassion.

The account of Legion emphasizes Jesus' power over evil spirits and His ability to bring healing and restoration to those oppressed by demonic forces. It also foreshadows Jesus' ultimate victory over Satan and the forces of darkness through His death and resurrection.