The mind of this wretched sufferer had been darkened by Satan, but in the Saviour's presence a ray of light had pierced the gloom. He was roused to long for freedom from Satan's control; but the demon resisted the power of Christ. When the man tried to appeal to Jesus for help, the evil spirit put words into his mouth, and he cried out in an agony of fear. The demoniac partially comprehended that he was in the presence of One who could set him free; but when he tried to come within reach of that mighty hand, another's will held him, another's words found utterance through him. The conflict between the power of Satan and his own desire for freedom was terrible.

Den elendige stakkels mands sind havde været formørket af Satan, men i Frelserens nærhed var en stråle af lys trængt gennem mørket. Han blev vakt til at længes efter befrielse fra Satans herredømme, men den onde ånd modstod Kristi magt. Da manden forsøgte at anråbe Jesus om hjælp, lagde den onde ånd andre ord i hans mund, og han skreg i sin dødelige angst. Den besatte forstod til dels, at der var én nær, som kunne befri ham; men da han forsøgte at komme inden for rækkevidde af denne mægtige hånd, holdt en andens vilje ham fast, og en andens ord fik udtryk gennem ham. Striden mellem Satans magt og hans eget ønske om at blive fri var frygtelig.