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Selected Verse: Mark 5:4 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mr 5:4	Strong Concordance	Because [1223] that he [846] had been often [4178] bound [1210] with fetters [3976] and [2532] chains [254], and [2532] the chains [254] had been plucked asunder [1288] by [5259] him [846], and [2532] the fetters [3976] broken in pieces [4937]: neither [2532] could [2480] any man tame [1150] him [846] [3762].
	King James	Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, &c.--Luke says (Luk 8:29) that "oftentimes it [the unclean spirit] had caught him"; and after mentioning how they had vainly tried to bind him with chains and fetters, because, "he brake the bands," he adds, "and was driven of the devil [demon] into the wilderness." The dark tyrant--power by which he was held clothed him with superhuman strength and made him scorn restraint. Matthew (Mat 8:28) says he was "exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way." He was the terror of the whole locality.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, &c.--Luke says (Luk 8:29) that "oftentimes it [the unclean spirit] had caught him"; and after mentioning how they had vainly tried to bind him with chains and fetters, because, "he brake the bands," he adds, "and was driven of the devil [demon] into the wilderness." The dark tyrant--power by which he was held clothed him with superhuman strength and made him scorn restraint. Matthew (Mat 8:28) says he was "exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way." He was the terror of the whole locality.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
With fetters and chains (πέδαις καὶ ἁλύσεσιν) πέδη, fetter, is akin to πέζα, the instep; just as the Latin pedica, a shackle, is related to pes, a foot. The Anglo-Saxon plural of fot (foot) is fet; so that fetter is feeter. So Chaucer: "The pure fetters on his shinnes grete Were of his bitter salte teres wete." Αλυσιν (derivation uncertain) is a chain, a generic word, denoting a bond which might be on any part of the body. Broken in pieces (συντετρῖφθαι) The verb συντρίβω means originally to rub together, to grind or crush. It has been suggested that the fetters might have been of cords which could be rubbed to pieces. Wyc. renders, Had broken the stocks to small gobbets.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

With fetters and chains (πέδαις καὶ ἁλύσεσιν)

πέδη, fetter, is akin to πέζα, the instep; just as the Latin pedica, a shackle, is related to pes, a foot. The Anglo-Saxon plural of fot (foot) is fet; so that fetter is feeter. So Chaucer:

"The pure fetters on his shinnes grete

Were of his bitter salte teres wete."

Αλυσιν (derivation uncertain) is a chain, a generic word, denoting a bond which might be on any part of the body.

Broken in pieces (συντετρῖφθαι)

The verb συντρίβω means originally to rub together, to grind or crush. It has been suggested that the fetters might have been of cords which could be rubbed to pieces. Wyc. renders, Had broken the stocks to small gobbets.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
With fetters and chains - His strength, it appears was supernatural, no kind of chains being strong enough to confine him. With several, this man would have passed for an outrageous madman, and diabolic influence be entirely left out of the question; but it is the prerogative of the inspired penman only, to enter into the nature and causes of things; and how strange is it, that because men cannot see as far as the Spirit of God does, therefore they deny his testimony. "There was no devil; there can be none." Why? "Because we have never seen one, and we think the doctrine absurd." Excellent reason! And do you think that any man who conscientiously believes his Bible will give any credit to you? Men sent from God, to bear witness to the truth, tell us there were demoniacs in their time; you say, "No, they were only diseases." Whom shall we credit? The men sent from God, or you?

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

With fetters and chains - His strength, it appears was supernatural, no kind of chains being strong enough to confine him. With several, this man would have passed for an outrageous madman, and diabolic influence be entirely left out of the question; but it is the prerogative of the inspired penman only, to enter into the nature and causes of things; and how strange is it, that because men cannot see as far as the Spirit of God does, therefore they deny his testimony. "There was no devil; there can be none." Why? "Because we have never seen one, and we think the doctrine absurd." Excellent reason! And do you think that any man who conscientiously believes his Bible will give any credit to you? Men sent from God, to bear witness to the truth, tell us there were demoniacs in their time; you say, "No, they were only diseases." Whom shall we credit? The men sent from God, or you?

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