Gerasa is identified from various sources as a city in Arabia, Decapolis, Gilead, or Perea. Welcome to Biblical Hermeneutics! It is even possible that his request was to become one of our Lords disciples.125. 3). Now they would deal with this One greater than he by doing likewise. ger'-a-sa, ger'-a-senz (Gerasa; Gerasenon):1. Archeology. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Over his son GAD he said: "Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last." Now WHERE in the New Testament do you remember hearing about something like a 'troop'? From this disaster it appears soon to have recovered, and the period of its greatest prosperity lay, probably, in the 2nd and 3nd centuries of our era. So, they asked Him to leave. They were sacrificed by being thrown off a cliff. 18). They look forward to their future with great dread. Afterwards, the man Jesus had rescued from the demons wanted to go with Him, but Jesus sent him to share the good news of the gospel with his own people: "Return to your house, and declare what great things God has done for you." He went his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. 5:2-3? 606-607. Where Did Jesus Miracle Occur? Such must have been the response of those with our Lord. How do I stop the Flickering on Mode 13h? Did the drapes in old theatres actually say "ASBESTOS" on them? As I have been studying this account through the week, it has seemed to me a rather bizarre and remote situation, the liberation of this Gerasene demoniac. Thus, all the circumstances lead us to regard the healing of the demonized at Gerasa as a night scene, immediately on Christs arrival from Capernaum, and after the calming of the storm at sea. Alford Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965), I, pp. One man: Mark 5:1-2, "And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the . How ironic, as others have noted, that the tormentor pleads not to be tormented. People try to make Jesus king; he walks on sea; heals many. [3], The earliest account, assuming the theory of Marcan priority is correct, is in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 5:120). The story begins in the region of the Gerasenes on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. The demoniacs were mere maniacs, whom Jesus cured by humouring their fancies; and His giving leave to imaginary demons to enter into the swine, produced the story of the disaster to the herd.All these explanations assume that the Gospel narratives are wholly or in part unhistorical. Plummer, Luke, p. 228. Further, the conclusion seems warranted that there was confusion in some MSS of Gerasa with the more likely site for the miracle near Gergesa. 2,8) who can possess men and animals. The fact that Matthew places the healing of Legion in the country of the Gadarenes whereas Mark and Luke place it in the country of the Gerasenes may be harmonized on the historical grounds that geographical boundaries overlapped, and on the exegetical consideration that country embraced a wide area around the cities. He seemed to view Jesus approach as the launching of a direct attack on the demonic forces. To the Other Side: Construction of Evil and Fear of Liberation in Mark 5.120., 164165. I know that your will for me leads to the most full and fruitful life. He calls the inhabitants Syrians, when, at the beginning of the Jewish revolt, the district round Gerasa was laid waste. Matt. Jesus asks the demon for his name and is told "My name is Legion, for we are many". Mark 9:17-29). 26). No ostracism hangs over you.' Holiness hurts! Apparently Gerasa was rebuilt by the Romans before the revolt began, prob. or by some form of self-emptying (such as various forms of eastern meditation) in my opinion, they are in a precarious position. (3) Spiritual insight. Did the scribes realize that God gave Jesus the authority in Mark 11:33? Life with him would be heaven on earth. This location agrees with the description given by the ancient writers. If it is a feminine spirit, the voice will be a feminine one, if masculine then very manly. But I know there are ways I do this all the time. Gerasa is mentioned next by Josephus in connection with the Jewish rebellion against the Romans in a.d. 70. As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25), Highlights in the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ. john kiuta masuka, December 19 2016 This topical nine-session Bible study contains tips and encouragement to live a life of generosity and fruitfulness, helping us to redeem our use of resources by nurturing biblical attitudes. Does a password policy with a restriction of repeated characters increase security? Son of God was their term. It was significant. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. It's not them. Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling, 10 Key Points About Work in the Bible Every Christian Should Know, Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership, Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Work, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. If he can break the death-grip Satan once had on us and set us free, then he can redeem the places of our former slavery and make them showcases of God's omnipotent grace. The entrance of the term into colloquial speech indicates that the Roman occupation was a heavy burden. 8). Jerash, ancient Gerasa Gerasa was a city situated near the Jabbok River about eighteen m. E of the Jordan, about twenty m. SE of Pella, and twenty m. N of Philadelphia. The Greeks were believers in the spirit world, but not necessarily convinced that demons were evil.127 As a result, Marks readers needed to be instructed as to the essential nature of demons and demon possession. What purposes did Mark intend to achieve by the inclusion of this event? Then the SPCA would have been up in arms over such cruelty to animals. The ruins are wide and imposing and are better preserved than any others on the East of Jordan. Declare how much God has done for you. Rev. It was Jesus they were afraid of. Thus an economic lose of revenue was involved. 1 Response And the people there were scared, they recognised this, but more, they realised the significance of this. Therefore, Jesus Christ for demons is God and thus even demons inadvertently reveal themselves as being better theologians than Arians and their modern day heirs - Jehovawitnesians and all different breeds of Unitarians - their name being legion! The textual evidence shows that the MSS preserve three variant spellings of the name in each gospel. 1), and apparently occupied these cities with Jewish patriots. In this immediate area, steep hills come down to the shoreline and fit the story of the swine rushing headlong into the sea. Thats why also Peter having realized who Christ was, was dreaded and asked Him to leave him for he said to be a sinful man (Luke 5:8). The people were gentiles who had not yet any interest in the Messiah. He actually wanted to keep his clothes on. Vote Up Jesus, Go Away! 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome By your Spirit, help me to welcome you into my life, all of you. A few men went on to survey the dead floating herd. June 15, 2004. The confrontation between the powers of heaven and hell are nowhere seen in better perspective than in Marks account of the encounter of the Gerasene demoniac with our Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12), whose leader and prince is Satan (Matthew 12:24). 1). Country of the Gerasenes:The town itself is not named in Scripture, and is referred to only in the expression, "country of the Gerasenes" (Mark 5:1 Luke 8:26, 37; see Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, Appendix, 11). They valued their pigs more than they valued salvation. He recognized most of them. . Josephus mentions it with Pella and Golan as being taken by storm during Alexander Jannaeus campaign E of the Jordan in about 83 b.c. Origen (Commentary on John 6:24 41 [on John 1:28]) cited a local tradition that there had been a town called "Gergasa" on the lake shore.[7]. [4], The Gospel of Matthew shortens the story dramatically (Matthew 8:2834) and writes not of one possessed man, but of two. They are unclean spirits, (vss. Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. But let us return to the gist of the matter: if Christ showed them His Divinity through the reason given above, is it easy to be in the presence of God? Then he put his reassuring hand on the man's shoulder again and said, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.". Archeologists identify it with the modern Jarash. Initially, the possessed man has been expelled from the human racethat is, he is no better off than an animal without clothingbut, after his exorcism, his humanity is fully restored and he rejoins the human race, clothed and in his right mind (Luke 8:35). It is not difficult to imagine what was going through the minds of the disciples as their ship landed and as these two demon possessed men rushed to them. But the most strangely wonderful thing of all was his sense of cleanness. It is in no way certain, however, that the pig raisers were Jews. Horoscopes and astrological predictions are found in most major newspapers. It was the terror of the damned. Jude 6), no longer to afflict men or resist God. Lucius Annius, at the instance of Vespasian, sacked and burned the city, with much slaughter (BJ, IV, ix, 1). An excellent account of the ruins is given in Thomson's LB, III, 558.There is nothing above ground of older date than the 2nd and 3rd centuries of our era; but there is no reason to doubt that the Greek city of Gerasa stood on the same site. Lane believes the modern Kersa is the most likely place: The point of arrival is indicated in a general way as the district of the Gerasenes, most probably in reference to a town whose name is preserved in the modern Kersa or Koursi. Gerasa was rebuilt in splendor and remained prosperous for several centuries. Demonized individuals are not to be viewed so much as a pigeon hole category, as they are a continuem. But Jesus had other plans. The Gospel of Luke's version (Luke 8:2639) is shorter than Mark's, but agrees with most of its details. [2] It has been a point of contention in discussions of Christianity and animal rights. The ruins of the town are not considerable; but there are remains of a strong wall which must have surrounded the place. But it was there that the grace of God in his life would shine the brightest. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? Matt 10:5-6; 15:24). The Gerasenes must have had some understanding of why they are reproached or they would not respond as they do. The Maniac Who Became a Missionary, Part 1. The people were afraid when they saw the possessed man healed. There probably were not many who had been told yet of the Messiah, and so were not yet believers. It is noteworthy that it is distinguished (especially in the Gospel of the physician, Luke) from cases of ordinary sickness, insanity (lunacy), leprosy, blindness, lameness, deafness and other natural defects and diseases (cf. No torment. Such seems to be a similar case with Judas (John 13:1-2). It was greatly influenced by Greek culture.126. Although the manifestations of demonization vary widely, this man 115 evidenced several of the classic symptoms. That would be a strong message, by allowing them to be possessed and then drowned. Jesus is conscious that He now breaks the power of the devil and his angels because He is the One in whom the dominion of God is present on behalf of humanity. W. Foerster, as quoted by Lane, Mark, fn. The demoniacs frightened the swine, and the transfer of demons from them to the swine was imagined. The demoniac further evidenced demon activity by the depth of his spiritual insight. The ruins also show evidence of a dozen churches, dating in the Byzantine period (4th-7th centuries) indicating that this once was a large Christian community. This describes the district in which Christ met and healed the . Jon Bloom serves as teacher and cofounder of Desiring God. 2ff., xvv. Spam, July 19 2021 In that case, of course, it would be in the early morning that the Gerasenes afterwards resorted to Jesus and that He again returned to Capernaum. At first we may deceive ourselves into thinking that we are controlling them, but the ultimate likelihood is that they will master us. No one could restrain himhe couldn't be chained, couldn't be tied down. And, lastly, this would allow sufficient time for those miracles which took place on that second day in Capernaum after His return thither. Having been properly warned of the demonic underworld, let us not fall into the opposite error of absolute paranoia. My office mate of several years back was interrupted by a young and very zealous new Christian teacher accompanied by a student from whom she wanted my friend to cast out a demon. The time of this event was before Jesus' crucifixion, and before the gentiles were grafted in to the promise (Acts 10). Now he knew better. This is probably the Gerasa of Mark and Luke. The story appears to be set close to the Sea of Galilee, since it takes place as soon as Jesus gets out of the boat, but neither Gadara nor Gerasa is nearby; both cities are southeast of the lake, Gadara 10km away or a two-hour walking distance, and Gerasa well over twice as far. led to the substitute reading Gergesenes, a reading that was suggested by a study of the geography of the area. You could hear alarm in their voices. From this point on, Jesus began to speak to the crowds in parables in order to veil or conceal the gospel from those who had blasphemed the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:lff). This describes the district in which Christ met and healed the demoniac from the tombs, where also took place the destruction of the swine. This was a region east of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Romans Bible Study, Chapter 5 Romans 5 speaks about justification and our relationship to Adam. William of Tyre calls the city Jarras, and places it 16 miles East of Jordan (Hist, xii, 16). How Many Times Did Jesus Go To Gerasenes. The whole story is a myth. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Some would identify the place with RAMOTH-GILEAD, which see.The site is now occupied by a colony of Circassians, and there is reason to fear that, unless something is done to preserve them, many valuable remains of antiquity will perish.W. When our Lord confronted the demons, they had to submit to His power and authority. 84,145). No! The precise place where the miracle occurred is not as essential to our understanding of the narrative as is the realization that Christ has control over the spiritual realm (Lenski, 1946, p. 205). 112 Skeptics and liberals have made much of the differences between the Gospel writers as to the place Jesus landed with His disciples. The Synoptic Gospels record one episode of Jesus calming a violent storm: "Then [Jesus] got into the boat and his disciples followed him. War II. At the side of Kersa the shore is level, and there are no tombs. Once a menace to society, now a messenger with words of deliverance and healing. But from all of the Gospel accounts, I get the distinct impression that this mans eyes were riveted on Jesus. There is no conflict, however, for Mark and Luke have apparently focused their attention on the most striking of the two. You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work), under the condition that you must give appropriate credit to The High Calling, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. On one level, they may have been afraid that Jesus would send their herds into the sea. You should not suggest in any way that The High Calling or Theology of Work endorses you or your use of the work. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. It is a fascinating by Matt Slick | Apr 4, 2023 | Genesis - Deuteronomy, Bible Difficulties. In this instance, each writer intended to draw attention to an area close to the Sea of Galilee. There is no contradiction, therefore, in the evangelists. The tomb-man had beaten off much larger men in his demonic rages. (BJ, I, iv, 8). This account is recorded in all three of the synoptic gospel accounts, but with two different renderings of the name of the place where the miracles occurred. It was besieged by Baldwin II, in 1121 A.D. It is almost 20 miles from Amman (Philadelphia), and 22 from Fahil (Pella). He was sitting at Jesus feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane (8:35), thus serving as a vivid demonstration of the saving, healing power of Jesus. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one . (4) Our Lord did not command the demons to enter into the pigs and bring about their destruction; He only permitted it.124. On the other hand, it may be correct to understand that although there were many demons, they had combined as one force to possess this man.119 While Mark records Legions request as one of not being sent out of the country (verse 10), Luke adds a significant explanation by interpreting the meaning behind this request: And they were entreating Him not to command them to depart into the abyss (Luke 8:31). When once he was an instrument of Satanic opposition against the Messiah, now he is a witness to His power. In the Gospel of Mark, why does Jesus heal this blind man twice? The Roman city Gerasa was a famous city that would have been familiar to a Gentile audience, but Gadara, as the capital city of the Roman province of Perea, was the chief of the ten cities in Decapolis (Lenski, 1946, p. 205; Coffman, 1975, p. 85; Youngblood, 1995, p. 468), so even those who lived in Gerasa could have been called Gadarenes. But, the pigs were a part of their economic wealth. All accounts involve Jesus exorcising demons, identified collectively in Mark and Luke as "Legion". Jesus' visits to the Decapolis can help us understand some aspects of his ministry that would not be as clear if they had occurred in Jerusalem, Capernaum, or some other "orthodox" Jewish site. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. It is noteworthy that Jesus nowhere speaks of forgiveness of sins or of purification-sacrifices, that have to be brought after His curing of such cases (as He did in some cases of physical illness). Demonic influence further destroys mans reflection of God as originally designed.128 Demons have great spiritual insight and reluctantly submit to Jesus as Lord of all. The conduct of this pathetic individual was obviously anti-social. For these demons to be sent out of the country would have meant that they would then be confined along with other fallen angels (cf. We're going to drown!' Neither is it only a kind of physical disease, although spiritual and physical disease often accompany it (e.g. Pastor John gets to the heart and offers practical suggestions for growing in evangelism. This incident in the Gerasenes requires some entry understanding. As a herdsman recounted what happened, they kept looking at him and then to Jesus. Five squad cars converged on it. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. 127 The view of Greek philosophy was that these were the spirits of those who lived in the Golden Age. Demons are highly organized (cf. The lose of the pigs meant loose of partial income in the area. REPRODUCTION & DISCLAIMERS: We are happy to grant permission for this article to be reproduced in part or in its entirety, as long as our stipulations are observed. Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man. The scene which Mark presents is deliberately dark. If an Israelite, why was he in Gerasene in the first place and why was he living so near a large herd of swine? Those who have witnessed demon possession tell us that each demon has its own distinct personality and that the individual possessed begins to manifest the distinct personality of the demon by which he is possessed. Sometimes to follow Jesus means being sent back to a place where we once knew desolation and indescribable pain. Clarify A land that was essentially under another god (lower case g). What scares you away from being fully sold-out as a disciple of Jesus? The choice is to be free by submission to Christ (cf. He was leaving! None of the accounts indicate why Jesus allowed the demons to go into the swine, but certainly it was better that they go into the pigs than into people. God has commisioned us to work and create, to develop the resources he has given us and share with those in need. A contradiction occurs only when one statement makes the other impossible. How many men came out to meet Jesus in Gerasene? Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 122 Quoted by Alfred Plummer, The Gospel According to Saint Luke, (Edinburg: T. and T. Clark, 5th ed., 1969): p. 228. He came into the region in which the two cities were situated, and one evangelist mentioned one, and the other another. Gerasa. The ego is so impaired that the spirits speak through him. Our children would probably understand best if I said that his appearance must have been somewhat like that of the television creation, The Incredible Hulk. ", Jesus looked hard at him without speaking. Its architecture was of the Corinthian order, quite lavish and imposing, with columns from three to four ft. in diameter and about thirty ft. high. He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one was strong enough to subdue him (verses 3,4). It indicates full and permanent control. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. In Jewish thinking, spirit beings were assigned to certain geographical territories.120. The Lord refused this request and commissioned this delivered man to return to his own people and declare to them what God had done for him. A city in Transjordania, situated about thirty-five m. SE of the S end of the Sea of Galilee, one of the cities of the Decapolis; the inhabitants of the city. Modern Jerash lies on both banks of Wady Jerash, about 6 miles from its confluence with Wady ez-Zerqa (the Jabbok). Did Jesus command the demon before he fell on his knees in Mark 5:6? Dr. Thomson discovered on the eastern shore the ruins of a village called Khersa. ii. It should also be observed that nowhere in the Old Testament (except in I Sam. The most likely answer is to the country of the Gerasenes: i.e., Gerasa, a Greek town thought to be the same as the similarly-named Kersa on the east shore of Lake Tiberias. His lucid mind mulled over the words, "Son of the Most High God.". So Jesus had to cross the lake twice. These, however, are not the problem raised by Bible students. It is a violent tempest, that is, outside of the natural. For the Christian, there are two extremes which must be avoided with reference to Satanic activity. Some were already hurrying back toward the city. He had only known Jesus for a few hours, but had already determined to be Jesus' disciple for life. We don't want any more trouble here!" Josephus names it as marking the eastern limit of Peraea (BJ, III, iii, 3). 14ff. Description:Modern Jerash lies on both banks of Wady Jerash, about 6 miles from its confluence with Wady ez-Zerqa (the Jabbok). 6:1-13. 117 so that, by their own confession, a time is coming when there shall be an entire victory of the kingdom of light over that of darkness (Rev. Though Legion bowed before Jesus (verse 6), it was no act of worship (as the King James Version would seem to indicate). Everyone strained for a look at the tomb-man. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! A city in Transjordania, situated about thirty-five m. SE of the S end of the Sea of Galilee, one of the cities of the Decapolis; the inhabitants of the city. Many ancient tombs are to be seen in the face of the hills. But having recalled a passage in Ephesians, I realize now that this man is a reminder of the dilemma of every man, woman, and child who have not come to a saving dependence upon the work of Jesus Christ for sinners on the cross. Unfortunately, like anyone who feels wrongfully yet feasibly accused, the Gerasenes protest violently, they protest their good faith with violence, thereby reinforcing the terror of the possessed. The writers were not confused about Palestinian geography. Although his symptoms would have appeared to be those of an insane man,113 the Gospel writers inform us that he was demon-possessed.114. We owe it to Josephus, from whom it has passed into ecclesiastical language. Putting all of these factors together the term demon-possessed inplies too much. 9. Pliny described it as a city of the Decapolis founded after the Rom. how many times did jesus go to gerasenes [1] Jesus, now about 30 years old (Lk 3:23) travels from his home-town of Nazareth in Galilee. 10). If he was a pagan, why did Jesus cast out his demons? (1) Severe personality change. [a] There, a man "possessed by a demon" comes from the caves to meet him. The Response of the People - Mt. And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. Q. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. But Jesus told him to go back. 22, xvii. I have never actually begged Jesus to go away and leave me alone. Thank you for giving him new hope. Capernaum. Soon, they gathered around Jesus and the man who had been set free from the demons. Now appreciate the reaction - another God was messing with their god - and demonstrating authority! Then people came to see what it was that had happened. Are there things that perplex you? The gospels. Be my Lord! 116 As Lane observes this title Son of the Most High God, is not a messianic designation but a divine one. Lane, Mark, p. 133, cf. Jesus goes across the sea into the "region of the Gerasenes". It is almost 20 miles from Amman (Philadelphia), and 22 from Fahil (Pella). Jesus approaches and calls the demon to come out of the man, who replies "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? It is clear that Matthew, Mark, and Luke did not contradict each otherin fact, they complemented each other. First of all, I believe Mark was attempting to warn his Gentile readers of the great danger of demonic influence and activity. The crowd should remain on top of the cliff and the victim fall over; instead, in this case, the crowd plunges and the victim is saved. The word translated windstorm here, and storm in the KJ, is the word lailaps, which is more than just a storm. His greatest impact would be on those who knew his former state. [8] The city of Gerasa had been a major urban center since its founding and during the Roman period it was the more widely known among the ten-city league known as the Decapolis. The Greek word commonly accepted in Mark 5:1 and Luke 8:26 as the basis for the name of the people who inhabited the place where Jesus and the disciples went is rendered Gerasenes in English (Metzger, 1975, pp. Even the demons confessed that He was the Son of the Most High (Mark 5:7). The house that is left swept and clean is a likely target for Satanic influence (cf. We see the first reaction to this in the storm MARK 4:7 And a great windstorm arose [snip]. Reland (Pal, II, 806) notes certain extant coins of Gerasa, from which it is clear that in the 2nd century it was a center of the worship of Artemis. I will not ask him to leave. Classical theological commentary cited this story to argue that animals have no moral importance in Christianity. Heal me, Lord, but let me remain the lord of at least part of my life. Thus, the story in Luke 8:26-39 challenges me to consider how open I really am to the Lord. Were the writers of the synoptic gospel accounts confused about where Jesus was when He healed the men?

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