L Galilee Geography

Article bD 2000

Although Biblical geography is not so greatly important, it yet has significant value and is very interesting.

The True Location of the Country of the Gergesenes, the Gadarenes

The True Location of Gennesaret, and Decapolis.

The True Location of the Healing of the Demon Possessed Man and the Drowning of the Swine.

The word Gadarenes comes from the Greek word 1046, the word Gergesenes comes from the Greek word 1086, and the word Gennesaret from the Greek word 1082. These words although similar in both English and Greek yet are slightly different in both languages. In considering these similar yet different names it is difficult to know whether these names are similar names for the very same place, or similar names for related places close to one another, or names pertaining to unrelated areas a distance apart. bD-1

Some or many people have connected the words Gadarenes and Gergesenes with particular places which they have named Gadara and Gergesa and have placed on the east side of the sea of Galilee with about 10 miles between them. Although some have connected the names Gadarenes and Gergesenes with two particular places as such, yet one should consider that it also is possible that the words Gadarenes and Gergesenes pertain mostly to naming a people and do not so much pertain to identifying two particular places. Possibly the names Gadarenes, Gergesenes, Gennesaret, and Decapolis fit together such as Gennesaret being a town or locality in Decapolis with the Gergesenes and Gadarenes being a people of Gennesaret. bD-2

The following three Scriptures all very likely pertain to Christ journeying to and arriving at one and the same place.

Scripture One

(Mat 8:23-34) "And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. {24} And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. {25} And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. {26} And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. {27} But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! {28} And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. {29} And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? {30} And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. {31} So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. {32} And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. {33} And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. {34} And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts." Note this Scripture in verse 28 calls this place the country of the Gergesenes. bD-3

Scripture Two

(Mark 4:35-5:2&12-20) "{35} And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. {36} And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. {37} And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. {38} And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? {39} And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. {40} And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? {41} And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? {5:1} And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. {2} And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, {12} And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. {13} And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. {14} And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. {15} And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. {16} And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. {17} And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. {18} And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.{19} Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them what great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. {20} And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel." Note this Scripture in verse one calls this place the country of the Gadarenes. Note it appears the country of the Gadarenes was near to, or a part of the land of Decapolis. bD-4

Since the home of the one who was possessed with devils was Decapolis, and it was at Decapolis that he told his friends of the great things Christ had done for him, it is likely that he was delivered of the devils at Decapolis and it would have been at Decapolis where the swine drowned. Following is a verse that tells where Decapolis is; bD-5

(Mark 7:31) "And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis." According to this verse Decapolis is at the north western part of the sea of Galilee opposite of where maps show it. bD-6

Scripture Three

(Luke 8:22-27&33&-37-40) "Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. {23} But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. {24} And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. {25} And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. {26} And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. {27} And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. {33} Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. {37} Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. {38} Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, {39} Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. {40} And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him." Note this Scripture in verse 26 & 37 calls this place the country of the Gadarenes. Also note how verse 26 states that the country of the Gadarenes was over against Galilee. bD-7

Note how the above Scriptures indicate that the land of the Gergensenes and Gadarenes and Decapolis is largely the same place. Yet some or many individuals feel the country of the Gadarenes and Gergensenes were two different places and believe their were two different situations where Jesus cast out devils which devils went into pigs causing them to drown. Yet in considering various Scriptures and issues such quite clearly is not true. Note many things perfectly align in the above three Scriptures making it appear these three Scriptures are speaking of one experience at one place. Ten distinct issues which perfectly align in all three of these Scriptures are, firstly a storm disrupts Christ's voyage, secondly Jesus is sleeping, thirdly he is awoke by His disciples, forthly He calms the sea, fifthly He comes to shore and is soon meet by the demon possessed, sixthly the demon possessed didn't live in houses but in the tombs, seventhly the demons speak calling Jesus the Son of God, eighthly they fear being tormented, ninthly they ask to go into the swine and upon entering the swine the swine go wild and drown themselves, tenthly the people are afraid and want Jesus to leave. It would be very unlikely that there would have been two different occasions involving two different times and places that would have included the same ten successive issues as those given above. (Note in an effort to be concise not all the verses are included in the above Scriptures, thus one must consult their Bible to technically compare these 10 issues as in each different Scripture). Yet one significant difference in these Scriptures is that Matthew records two men possessed with devils while Mark and Luke record only one man. Such difference yet possibly could be explained as the miracle involved two men of which one was very forward and predominate while the other was quite backwards and lessor noticed and thus unrecorded by Mark and Luke. To say these were two different experiences and which happened at two different times and places simply because of the discrepancy of one and two demon possessed being involved, although so many issues are exactly the same, quite clearly is not proper. One should here consider that in another situation Matthew records two blind men being healed while Mark and Luke appearing to speak of the same miracle record only one blind man being healed. Note Matthew and Mark distinctly record the very same events surrounding this healing of the blind and read almost identically throughout all these verses except Matthew then speaks of two men while Mark only speaks of one man named Bartimaeus being healed (Matt 20:17-34, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31-43). Possibly this miracle of healing the blind involved two men of which one was very outstanding while the other was noticed very little, and was not recorded by Mark and Luke. In closely studying Biblical issues numerous slight discrepancies such as this or even greater are quite often found for what ever the reason may be. Although it does not appear that every detail concerning historical events as in every Scripture is always correct, yet the Spirit and general message of the Bible is inspired and correct! bD-8

Luke in speaking of Christ's return to the country of the Gadarenes (the place where the legion of devils were cast out and where the swine drowned and wherefrom Jesus was asked to depart by the frightened people), says that at His return they gladly received Him and were all waiting for Him (Luke 8:37-40). Jesus at His departure had told the healed one to go home and tell his friends of the great things God had done for Him, and it is likely these people were ready and waiting for Jesus at His return because of learning how Jesus delivered the possessed one and learning what Jesus could do! Matthew and Mark in speaking of Jesus later coming to Gennesaret emphasize how the people immediately knew Jesus and immediately sent out the news that Jesus was there and brought all their sick to be healed. Considering these issues it appears that Jesus in coming to Gennesaret was returning to a people that were waiting for Him, and was returning to the same place where He had cast out the devils and the swine drowned and wherefrom He was asked to depart.

The following three Scriptures appear to be speaking of Christ's return to the people of Decapolis (the Gadarenes, and the Gergesenes), where he had previously cast out the legion of Devils and the swine drowned;

Return Trip Scripture One

(Mat 14:21-36) "And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. {22} And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side... {24} But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. {25} And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. {26} And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. {27} But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. {28} And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. {29} And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. {30} But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. {31} And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? {32} And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. {33} Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. {34} And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. {35} And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; {36} And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole." bD-10

Return Trip Scripture Two

(Mark 6:44-56) "And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. {45} And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. {46} And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. {47} And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. {48} And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. {49} But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: {50} For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. {51} And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. {52} For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. {53} And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. {54} And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, {55} And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. {56} And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole." Note how verse 45 states that the disciples in coming here were endeavoring to go from the place where Jesus feed the multitude to Bethsaida. Yet they here, after the storm had stopped off at Gennesaret. One should consider that heading towards Bethsaida clearly is not heading for the south eastern part of the sea of Galilee which area is considered by many to be Decapolis and Gadara. It appears unlikely that in heading for Bethsaida their ship would have stopped off or ended up at the south eastern part of the sea of Galilee. bD-11

Return Trip Scripture Three

(John 6:10-12&15-26) "And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. {11} And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. {12} When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. {15} When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. {16} And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, {17} And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. {18} And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. {19} So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. {20} But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. {21} Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. {22} The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; {23} (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) {24} When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. {25} And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? {26} Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." Note John does not record Christ's stop at Gennesaret but finalizes Christ's Journey at Capernaum. Note how verse 17 states that the disciples were endeavoring to go from the place where Jesus feed the multitude to Capernaum. One should consider that heading towards Capernaum clearly is not heading for the south eastern part of the sea of Galilee. bD-12

Luke 8:37-40 clearly stated the Gadarenes were all waiting for Jesus to return after that the swine had drowned and they being afraid had told Jesus to depart. One should therewith note how the Matthew and Mark particularly accented that the people of Gennesaret were especially prepared and waiting for Jesus to come. Following are given the verses which particularly pertain to such,

(Mark 6:53-55) "And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. {54} And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, {55} And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was."

(Mat 14:34-36) "And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. {35} And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; {36} And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole."

The aspect that Christ had feed the 5000 just before this voyage very much confines this voyage to Gennesaret to be one and the same voyage which yet is recorded in three Gospels. Note the miracles of feeding the 4000 and 5000 are two outstanding miracles which do not appear were repeated. Mark 8:19-20 reveals such reading "When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. {20} And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven." Mat 16:9-10 also reveals such reading "Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? {10} Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?" bD-13

It appears that Jesus going from Nazareth to Capernaum and Bethsaida often traveled from the southwest side of the sea of Galilee toward the northern part of the sea. Since the Scriptures make it clear that Jesus after feeding the 5000 was heading for Capernaum and Bethsaida, when he then encountered the storm and stopped off at Gennesaret, it would appear that Gennesaret would be near to or along the way to Bethsaida and Capernaum, rather than clear across the sea of Galilee on the southeast shore. Although some or many (likely erroneously) place the land of Decapolis, Gergesenes and Gadarenes on the south and east side of the Sea of Galilee it is interesting these yet properly place Gennesaret on the northwest side of the sea of Galilee. bD-14

Luke 4:44-5:1 also gives some indication as to where Gennesaret is reading, "And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. {5:1} And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret," Note how this Scripture puts Galilee and Gennesaret close together.

M Luke 8:26 gives some indication as to where the country of the Gadarenes reading, "And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee." bD-15

Following are two verses that quite clearly reveal where Decapolis is. Note Decapolis was the home of the one who was possessed with a legion of devils and who after being delivered was told to go home and tell his friends of the great things God had done for him. bD-16

V (Mark 7:31) "And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis." This Scripture likely is the most clear Scripture as to where Decapolis was. This verse would put the area of Decapolis northwest of the sea of Galilee and at the same place as Gennesaret rather than on the southeast side as maps show. bD-17

M (Mat 4:25) "And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan." Note how this verse classifies Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judaea as being somewhat in one area and then speaks of beyond Jordan as being a different area then those four areas just mentioned! bD-18

Firstly considering how Mark 7:31 speaks of Jesus going through the midst of Decapolis on His way from Tyre and Sidon to the sea of Galilee, secondly considering how Matt 4:25 significantly classifies Decapolis with places west of the Jordan rather than being across Jordan, thirdly considering how Jesus was traveling toward Capernaum and Bethsaida when He stopped off at Gennesaret, and considering all the above Scriptures and issues it appears that Decapolis was on the northwest part of the sea of Galilee. bD-19

Although Matthew calls the place where the demon possessed man was healed and where the pigs drowned the country of the Gergesenes, and Mark and Luke call it the country of the Gadarenes yet considering the ten distinct issues that are included by all three writers such as, firstly a storm disrupts Christ's voyage, secondly Jesus is sleeping, thirdly he is awoke by His disciples, forthly He calms the sea, fifthly He comes to shore and is soon meet by the demon possessed, sixthly the demon possessed didn't live in houses but in the tombs, seventhly the demons speak calling Jesus the Son of God, eighthly they fear being tormented, ninthly they ask to go into the swine and upon entering them the swine go wild and drown themselves, tenthly the people are afraid and want Jesus to leave, it appears very likely this was one experience and at one place. Considering all the above it appears the Gergesenes and Gadarenes spoken of in these Scriptures were a people or peoples of one area. bD-20

To know exactly how Decapolis was positioned with regards to Galilee so as to make Jesus walk through the midst of it enroute from Tyre and Sidon to the Sea of Galilee is difficult. Since cities such as Nazareth on the southwest of the sea of Galilee were considered to be in Galilee, and cities such as Bethsaida on the north end of the sea of Galilee were also considered to be in Galilee it is clear that Galilee pertained to both the north and west part of the sea. Possible Decapolis was a land which largely divided Galilee into two parts such as north and south Galilee. Possibly Decapolis was a wedge shaped piece of land with it's large end at Tyre and Sidon and it small end extending almost or totally to the sea of Galilee. Yet most likely Decapolis was a significant locality or particular area within Galilee. bD-21

One should consider that the Scriptures firstly quite clearly reveal that the country of the Gergesenes and Gadarenes involved one area, in which area Jesus cast out the legion of devils and the swine drowned (Matt 8:23-34, Mark 4:35-5:20, Luke 8:22-40), secondly quite clearly reveal that Decapolis is on the northwest side of the sea of Galilee (Mark 7:31, Matt 4:25), thirdly quite clearly reveal that Decapolis is the home country of the Gadarenes and Gergesenes (Mark 5:1-20), forthly quite clearly reveal that both Gennesaret and Decapolis pertain to the same area such as being on the north west shore of the sea of Galilee, and fifthly quite clearly reveal that the area of Gennesaret was the home of the Gergesenes and Gadarenes which people were anxiously waiting for Christ to return, after He on His first visit had allowed the swine to drown and was asked to leave (Luke 8:37-40, Matt 14:34-36, Mark 6:53-56). Considering all the above it appears the names Gadarenes, Gergesenes, Gennesaret, and Decapolis fit together such as Gennesaret being a town or locality in Decapolis with the Gergesenes and Gadarenes being a people of Gennesaret. bD-22

4849