Mark 5:3-5 elaborately describe the man's condition, as if the evangelist or rather his informant (Peter) were fascinated by the subject; not a case of idle word-painting, but of realistic description from vivid, almost morbid, recollection. Holtzmann (H. C.) refers to Isaiah 65:4-5, as if to suggest that some elements of the picture dwelling in tombs, eating swine's flesh were taken thence. τὴν κατ., the, i.e. his dwelling, implying though not emphasising constant habit (perpetuum, Fritzsche), Lk., “for a long time”. οὐδὲ, οὐκέτι, οὐδεὶς : energetic accumulation of negatives, quite in the spirit of the Greek language. At this point the sentence breaks away from the relative construction as if in sympathy with the untamable wildness of the demoniac.

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Old Testament