5:9a
“What is your name?” Jesus asked: The pronoun your here could refer either to the man or to the evil spirit that was controlling him. The Greek text says that Jesus specifically asked “him” this question. The pronoun “him” could similarly refer either to the man or to the spirit. If you must choose, use a word that refers to the spirit, since the answer to Jesus’ question was a name that referred to the spirit. (See the note on Paragraph 5:6–10 for further discussion.) For example, the NIRV says:
Then Jesus asked the demon, “What is your name?”
General Comment on 5:8–9a
In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech to translate the quotes in these verses. For example:
For Jesus had just commanded the unclean spirit to leave the man. Then Jesus asked him what his name was.
5:9b
My name is Legion…for we are many: In some languages, it may not be natural to say My name (singular), and then to say we are (plural). You may need to use either the singular or plural for both parts of this statement. For example:
Our name is Legion, for we are many
-or-
My name is Legion, for I speak for many unclean spirits who control this man.
-or-
My name is Legion, for there are many unclean spirits in this man.
Legion: The word Legion was the name of the largest unit of soldiers in the Roman army. A legion had between four thousand and six thousand soldiers. The unclean spirit called himself Legion because there were many unclean spirits along with him that were controlling the man.
Here are some ways to translate Legion in this context:
• Use a military word that describes a large group of soldiers. For example:
Army
-or-
Regiment
-or-
Thousands of Soldiers
If it is natural in your language, this is the ideal option.
• Use a word that describes a large number. It should be large enough to go well with the two thousand pigs mentioned in 5:13. For example:
Hundreds/Thousands
• Use a word that describes a very large group of people. For example:
Crowd
-or-
Horde
-or-
Mob (Good News Bible)
for we are many: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as for introduces an explanation of the unclean spirit’s name. Indicate this in a natural way in your language.
Here are some other ways to translate for we are many:
since there are many of us
-or-
because our number is great
he replied: In the Greek text, the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he replied come before the unclean spirit’s speech. The Berean Standard Bible has placed the phrase he replied in the middle of what the unclean spirit said. Place it where it is most natural in your language.
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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