And when he had come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there me him two possessed with demons coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce so that no man passed by that way. (Mathew 8:28)
After living among the fishing villages on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus sails over to the other side of the lake, to the region known today as the Golan Heights.
Running down steep slopes of these heights overlooking the sea was a region called the Country of Gergesenes or Gadarenes, part of the ancient Decapolis, ten Hellenistic cities where Roman citizens herded the pigs in this account. Today the city is identified with a hamlet situated on a mountain peak south of the Yarmuk River to the east of the Jordan.
The tombs mentioned are rock-hewed caves characteristic of cemeteries in the Hellenistic and Roman period. These caves provided an easy shelter for outcasts, including the mentally deranged, and made excellent hiding places since few dared visit burial sites in ancient times.
And he said...
Become a Member
-
Read all member content
Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel.
-
Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel
Connect with Israel, right from your home.
-
Lift up the voice of truth and hope
Support Jerusalem-based Zionist journalism.
Already a member? Login here.
Israel Today Membership
Monthly Membership
Yearly Membership
Save 18% Per Month.
Six Months Membership
Save 9% Per Month.
One response to “Jesus Takes His Disciples to a Forbidden Place”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
The demonic tends to manifest in the presence of Christ and of the Holy Spirit.
You ask,”did only Gentiles have demons?”
Luke 4:31ff. Note that this took place “in the synagogue”. In Luke 9 and the sending out of the Twelve (Mission to Israel), He gave the 12 authority over demons.