COMMITTED to train men and women
to have minds for the Lord Jesus,
hearts for the truth, and
hands that are skilled to the task.

In His early days of ministry, Jesus primarily ministers to the Jewish people

In His early days of ministry, Jesus primarily ministers to the Jewish people. His focus changed in Mark 5:1 when He intentionally entered the country of the Gerasenes which is Gentile territory. This is in the geographical region of Bashan. The demons in Mark 1:24 asked Jesus a question. The demons in Mark 5:7 do the same. However, there is a great difference; WHAT is the difference and WHY is this so important?
Once again, thanks for all the answers and some questions.
Here is a summary of the answers given: one person answered: “In Mark 1:24 this happened in a synagogue. Jesus actually was there, and Jesus went to the man. This was the first time that Jesus was identified as the Son of God in front of the Jews. In Mark 5:7 this happened in Gentile “territory” and was bunches of demons. This possessed person actually went to Jesus. I think this is important because it shows us that demons are a very real threat to us. But we can be assured that Christ is victorious over Satan and his demons have no power. He will always help us when we ask it of Him.”
Another person answered: “I don’t know I can answer the question but what my “aha” moments were amazing! I guess I never understood that the earth or this world is Satan’s domain, “I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over Me (John 14:30). We know that we are children of God and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19). I did not know this but it all makes so much sense now.”
Another person answered: “The demons in Mark 1:24 and 5:7 ask similar questions. These accounts are also told in Matthew 8:29 and Luke 8:28. The key difference to these accounts is where they occur. One was in front of Jesus, where the demons reveal who God is and the other was in Gentile territory. Both times the demons clearly know that Jesus has the power to destroy or torture them – that they are not able to defeat the power of the Son of the most High God.”
Great answers from different viewpoints. Let’s go a little bit deeper into this important topic. It is true that in Mark 1:24 Demons are in Jewish territory. Legion, in Mark 5:7 however, are in OLD BASHAN territory. Listen to what Legion says: “Son of the Most High”. This is a title that reflects Old Testament theology of cosmic geography which is found in Deuteronomy 32:8-9. It is there where THE MOST HIGH, disinherited the nations of the world and gave them over to the dominion of spiritual beings also known as Elohim’s in the Hebrew language. After THE MOST HIGH did this, he called out Abraham and started a new nation called Israel, which is God’s nation. However, according to Psalm 82:1-5 those spiritual beings called Elohim’s that are in charge over all the other nations (Gentiles) rebelled against God and became corrupt.
What does that have to do with Jesus’ encounter with Legion? Legion recognizes that Jesus is the rightful Lord of the country of the Gerasenes which is now under Gentile occupation. Also, interesting to know is the fact that this gentile occupation is right in the midst of the territory OF BASHAN. It is in this territory where MOUNT HERMON is found and where Jesus eventually stood with his disciples, declaring that HE WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH UPON THIS ROCK AND THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT. In other words, Bashan territory was ground zero of spiritual warfare. It is here where the demon “LEGION” had to acknowledge that JESUS IS THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH against whom the lower Elohim’s rebelled and THE MOST HIGH and HIS SON are in control even over these demonic powers.