For he had commanded the unclean spirit.
&c.] That had the rest of the devils under his authority, and power,
to come out of the man;
this he had done, either before, or just as he came up to him; (See Gill on Mark 5:8).
For oftentimes it had caught him;
possessed him, and wrought so strongly in him, and with so much fury, that there was no governing him: and he was kept bound with chains and fetters;
attempts were made to bind him, and keep him bound, but in vain: and he brake the bands; (See Gill on Mark 5:4). And was driven of the devil into the wilderness:
into some desert and desolate place, where were the tombs and sepulchres of the dead; this was done by the prince of the legion.