παρήγγελλεν γὰρ : the command caused the cry of fear, and the fear is explained in the clause following, introduced by a second γὰρ. πολλοῖς χρόνοις, answers to πολλάκις in Mark 5:4, therefore presumably used in the sense: oftentimes, frequently. So Erasmus and Grotius, and most recent commentators. Meyer and others take it = during a long time. Schanz combines the two senses. The disease was of an intermittent character, there were paroxysms of acute mania, and intervals of comparative quiet and rationality. When the paroxysms came on, the demon (one in Luke 8:29) was supposed to seize him (συνηρπάκει). Then he had to be bound in chains and fetters, and kept under guard (φυλασσόμενος, cf. A. V [84] and R. V [85] here), but all to no purpose, the demoniac force bursting the bonds and driving the poor victim into the deserts. The madman feared the return of an attack, hence his alarmed cry.

[84] Authorised Version.

[85] Revised Version.

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Old Testament