Encyclopedia entry
Legion
A regiment of the Roman army, the number of men composing which differed at different times. It originally consisted of three thousand men, but in the time of Christ consisted of six thousand, exclusive of horsemen, who were in number a tenth of the foot-men. The word is used (Matt. 26:53; Mark 5:9) to express simply a great multitude.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
the chief subdivision of the Roman army, containing about 6000 infantry, with a contingent of cavalry. The term does not occur in the Bible in its primary sense, but appears to have been adopted in order to express any large number, with the accessory ideas of order and subordination. (Matthew 26:53; Mark 5:9)
In the Bible
3
Verses where Legion is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- Luke 8:30
“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.
- Mark 5:9
“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
- Mark 5:15
When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
Scripture on Legion
3
Entries that reference Legion
1
Voices on Legion
7
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.