Words matter. Jesus wasn’t a man to waste words; usually, he got directly to the point with a surgeon’s accuracy. His words went right to the pain point of whoever he spoke with. So, when Jesus asked the demoniac, “What is your name?” he had a purpose. In Mark 5:9, the man answers, “My name is Legion: for we are many.”
Why is the name Legion important? A closer look at the meaning and background of the word “legion” can help us see the biblical applications of the story of the demoniac as well as the parallels between the physical and spiritual realms.
Where Does the Word Legion Come From?
The word Legion originated circa 1200 during the Roman Empire from the Latin legionem—a body of soldiers, a levy of troops—and from legere—to gather or choose. A levy of troops meant they were picked out from among the people to serve and defend the empire. Later (by 1300 AD), it became generally known as a large number of persons.
How Many Soldiers Were Generally in a Legion?
Legion is a regiment of the Roman army composed of 3,000-6,000 men, depending on the time frame. The reference from the Bible is the Greek word legeon, which in Augustus’ time would have consisted of roughly 6,826 men (6,100 foot soldiers and 726 horsemen). While legion has come to mean a multitude or many, I think modern readers have lost sight of the magnitude represented by the word.
It is also important to note that a Roman legion is not just a large group. It is a large group of highly disciplined, well-trained soldiers. Each soldier had a role. Horsemen, specialized archers, and foot soldiers knew their role, trained in it, and practiced it daily. They were led by seasoned warriors who were intent on conquering the world.
When Did Jesus Meet a Group of Demons Called Legion?
Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39 tell the story of Jesus meeting the demoniac in the region of the Gadarenes, sometimes referred to by other names. Jesus had been teaching the multitudes and told the disciples he wanted to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The demoniac met Jesus as soon as he came out of the ship. The demoniac lived in the tombs—running naked, crying, and cutting himself. Of all the people Jesus healed, he had to be one of the most miserable.
As mentioned earlier, the demoniac called himself Legion when Jesus commanded the unclean spirits to come out of the man and asked the man’s name. The man was possessed by the equivalent of a legion of spiritual Roman soldiers who held him captive. Can you imagine being possessed by potentially six thousand demons? No wonder he could not be bound or contained when such a strong force controlled him. With one command, Jesus sent them into a herd of swine who promptly threw themselves off a cliff. Jesus spoke with authority, and the demons obeyed him.
When the townspeople heard the story, they ran to find the man known as Legion dressed and sitting calmly beside Jesus. The people were afraid, so they told Jesus to leave. The ex-demoniac only desired to follow Jesus, but Jesus commanded him to stay and tell the story to his family and friends.
Do We Know What Later Happened to the Man Possessed by Legion?
We don’t know any more details about this man’s life or name. However, history records that a large community of believers was established in this area, greatly influencing the early church for centuries. We may not know all the details of this man’s life, but he still impacted not only the people of his community but also people throughout history who read his story. Kris Swiatocho’s article details some of the great things she learned from the scripture. However, the story is big enough for us to glean many thingse but there is a lot to glean from this passage:
1. Our enemy is not other people. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The devil and his demons are as bent on conquering the world as the Roman Legion was in their day. The enemy is a well-trained army that uses other people to accomplish their goals. If we are not careful, the enemy may even use us, so we must be vigilant and put on the armor of God every day.
2. Jesus has authority in the spiritual realm as well as the physical realm. Ephesians 1:20-22 says that Christ was set at the right hand of God so that He is “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” The enemy is already defeated, so we don’t have to worry. We need to hand everything over to Christ and follow His lead.
3. An encounter with Jesus leads to a visible change. When demons possessed the demoniac, he ran naked in the tombs, hurting himself, but after meeting Jesus, he was a different man. Mark 5:15 says the townspeople came to see what had happened: “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” When we choose Christ as Lord, we should also be visibly changed so that the world will see Him at work in us and come running to see what we have.
4. We are all called to share what Jesus has done for us. The healed demoniac wanted to follow Jesus wherever he went, but Jesus had other plans for him. In Mark 5:19-20, Jesus told him to tell his friends about the great thing the Lord had done for him, how God had compassion on him. Afterward, the man began to tell in the Decapolis (a region of Galilee containing 10 cities) how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” In the same way, we should go into the world and tell them what Jesus has done for us.
By understanding the meaning of legion, we can better understand the enemy we face as Christians. By learning about the man possessed by a legion, we can learn about the power and authority of Christ over our enemy. Possessing this knowledge motivates us to put on the armor of God so that we can defend ourselves when we are under attack and be assured that the Christ who was given all authority in Heaven will give us victory. It also motivates us to forgive our brothers and sisters who are still under the enemy’s power and share with them how they can also become victorious.
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
This article is part of our Christian Terms catalog, exploring words and phrases of Christian theology and history. Here are some of our most popular articles covering Christian terms to help your journey of knowledge and faith:
The Full Armor of God
The Meaning of "Selah"
What Is Grace? Bible Definition and Christian Quotes
What is Discernment? Bible Meaning and Importance
What Is Prophecy? Bible Meaning and Examples
