Its just one of those things. A party in the city surrendered it to Vespasian, who placed a garrison there (BJ, IV, vii, 3). (iii) If the 4th Gospel was not written until well into the 2nd century, then the apostle was not the author; but this is a very precarious assumption. On the basis of the textual evidence alone, we cannot determine which of these variants is . Around 150 years later Origen comes along, and, knowing that Matthews attempted fix isnt watertight, relocates the event to Gergasa based on what is probably an ancient tradition. Unfortunately, the most severe damage to the mosaics occurred in the nave. GADARA. These motifs were taken from artists notebooks that were used throughout the Mediterranean world, not only during the Byzantine period, but also before and after. ), and "the lake" (Luke 5:1, etc.). The distance is about 19 miles from the river. Jesus is in Capernaum, he gets on a boat, sails across the Sea of Galilee, ends up in a storm, and calms the water. he first invaded Palestine (Polyb. it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men's expectation, but preserves them a great while." The prosperity of the sixth century abruptly ended with the Persian invasion in 614 A.D. , Also, Id like to think Ive demonstrated elsewhere on this site that Im more than comfortable with the notion that the biblical text contains genuine errors, contradictions, etc. The soil on the level parts around the sea is exceedingly fertile. The Gerasa of Mark 5:1 was probably Kursi/Gergesa. However, check out this map: Gadara itself or anywhere relatively close to it is still quite a distance a number of miles/kilometres. Calms a storm from . On the shore, fully 2 miles from the Jordan, are the ruins of Tell Chum. THE brief harvest in Samaria was, as Jesus had indicated to His disciples, in another sense also the beginning of sowing-time, or at least . A third city, Hippos, was similar in character to Gadara and Gerasa, and it may fit the biblical account even better. Now there is no question that Capernaum was on "the other side," nor is there any suggestion that the boat was driven out of its course; and it is quite obvious that, sailing toward Capernaum, whether at Tell Chum or at Khan Minyeh, it would never reach Bethsaida Julius. , Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 716. With the conquest of the Moslems it passed under eclipse, and is now an utter ruin.3. A friend recently asked about the geographical problem of Mark 5 so I thought Id write up some thoughts on the topic. Here he feeds the 5,000 (Mt 14:14; Mk 6:33; Lk 9:11; Jn 6:5) [6] The disciples return across the Sea of Galilee (Mt 14:22; Mk 6:45), Jesus walking on the water to join them (Mt 14:25; Mk 6:48; Jn 6:19). It lay near the place where the Jordan enters the Sea of Gennesaret (Ant., XVIII, ii, 1; BJ, II, ix, 1; III, x, 7; Vita, 72). Four of the apostles, and these the chief, had been brought up as fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. The ancient walls may be traced in almost their entire circuit of 2 miles. From the point where the Jordan enters in the North to its exit in the South is about 13 miles. The fishing industry was evidently pursued to profit in the days of Christ. The location of the incident of the "Gadarene . Although the site was severely damaged, life continued as before, but with a lower living standard. The settlement was quite well planned and carefully organized. v. 37) describe Jesus' healing of the demoniac "Legion" and . A few palms are still to be seen. The absence of any name resembling Bethsaida need not concern us.Were There Two Bethsaidas? 1. In the northern part of the enclosure, we excavated the remains of the residential quarters of the monastery compound. Farther North, Wady el-`Amud brings down much water in the rainy season. There are some ruins now on this spot still known by the very slight corruption of Kerzha. After stilling the storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus lands with his disciples on the eastern shore of the lake. Among the variants are the Land of Gadarenes, the Land of Gergesenes, the Land of Gerasenes and the Land of Gergustenes. These demon-possessed pigs then run headlong into the lake and, presumably, drown. Mark 6:53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. Demonology, So at least that part of the story adds up the pigs could have run into the lake from Gadaras territory. Performance & security by Cloudflare. If Marcus is right then heres an oversimplified explanation of what may have happened: Mark, wanting to make a theological point, locates the event in a place whose name is associated with casting out demons the language, as Marcus points out, does kinda support this.21 This strengthens the exorcism theme of the pericope seems legit. Tiberias: 32.795858: 35.530975: Capernaum: 32.88033: 35.573307: Distance: 10.19 km: Today, it is identified with El-Koursi or Kursi. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Rows of columns separate the central nave from the aisles on either side. Why swap out one territory for another? Your IP: After Herod's death it was joined to the province of Syria, 4 B.C. du Talmud, 45).Centuries of neglect made a sad change in the plain. If the boat was taken from any point in el-BaTeichah towards et-Tell, no east wind would have distressed the rowers, protected as that part is by the mountains. Thus Gamala, on the eastern shore, was within the jurisdiction of Josephus, who commanded in Galilee (BJ, II, xx, 4). Josephus names it as marking the eastern limit of Peraea (BJ, III, iii, 3). Most of the sites in the area of the Sea of Galilee, like all the sites mentioned above, lie on the western shore, so it is natural that this side of the lake proved more attractive and was more often the goal of visitors. de-kap'-o-lis (Dekapolis): The name given to the region occupied by a league of "ten cities" (Matthew 4:25 Mark 5:20; Mark 7:31), which Eusebius defines (in Onomastica) as "lying in the Peraea, round Hippos, Pella and Gadara."Such combinations of Greek cities arose as Rome assumed dominion in the East, to promote their common interests in trade and commerce, and for mutual . All three of these New Testament variants have solid textual support. Commentary on the Gospel according to John Books 1-10, Ed. But as we have seen above, the "want of precision" must also be attributed to the writer of John 6:17. Further, Luke places the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the sea from Galilee (Luke 8:26)-antipera tes Galilaias ("over against Galilee"). According to Luke 3:23, Jesus was about thirty years old (quite old in those days) when he began his ministry. Distance between Tel Aviv and Capernaum (117,32 km.) You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Some are of the opinion that Gergesa was the country of the ancient Girgashites; but it is more probable that 'Gergesenes' was introduced by Origen upon mere conjecture; as before him most copies seem to have read 'Gadarenes', agreeable to the parallel passages and the ancient Syriac version. Want of precision on topographical points, therefore, need not surprise us. History:The name Gadara appears to be Semitic It is still heard in Jedur, which attaches to the ancient rock tombs, with sarcophagi, to the East of the present ruins. The mountains on the East and on the West rise to about 2,000 ft. Occasionally, however, tempests break over the lake, in which a boat could hardly live. unique traits of plants, animals and humans. That monastery was destroyed by Sassanid Persian armies in 614 CE, partially rebuilt, and finally levelled by the 749 Galilee earthquake. In a few moments the air was thick with mist, through which one could hear the roar of the tortured waters. The monastery compound lies at the foot of a hill, on a plain by the Sea of Galilee. The "desert" of the narrative is just the barriyeh of the Arabs where the animals are driven out for pasture. Judas of Gamala (Ant., XVIII, i, l) is also called Judas of Galilee (ibid., i, 6). The pilgrimage sites associated with the swine miracle, as opposed to the urban settlement of Tell el-Kursi, were discovered quite by accident in the late 20th century. Luke 5:1 Now it happened, while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. Some of the auxiliary rooms of the church and its chapels were closed off completely; others were converted to domestic or industrial use. Two paved streets with double colonnades cut through the city at right angles, four massive pedestals still marking the point of intersection. , Freeman-Grenville, Chapman, and Taylor, The Onomasticon by Eusebius of Caesarea (Carta Jerusalem, 2003), 45. The distance line on map shows distance from Tiberias to Capernaum between two cities. Gadara was the capital of Matthews country of the Gadarenes. It is located at the longitude of -71.522615 and latitude of 41.364855. Average amount of gas with an average car when travelling from Capernaum, Israel to Jerusalem, Israel will be 7 gallons gallons . A relatively large tell, no doubt the urban center of the area, stands about 300 yards from the monastery discovered by the bulldozer. Water:The middle portion is supplied from `Ain el-Madawwerah, a copious fountain near the western edge of the plain, round which a wall has been built, to raise the level of the water; and from the perennial stream, Wady er-Rubadiyeh, which drives a mill before starting on its work of irrigation. Where vegetable gardens are planted they yield plentifully. Well, it seems Eusebius didnt arrive at his Gergesa idea alone; it appears he may have just been following Origens (185-253 CE) commentary on John where we read: Origen, John. Mark 7:31 Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the region of Decapolis. This condition is fulfilled only by the district immediately South of Wady Semak, North of Qal `at el-Chucn. TIME. A narrow ribbon of plain between the mountain and the shore runs to the South end of the lake. Driving distance between Capernaum, Israel and Jerusalem, Israel is calculated by google maps and it is 99 mi. Distances. William of Tyre calls the city Jarras, and places it 16 miles East of Jordan (Hist, xii, 16). The water of the lake is clear and sweet. David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 673. Almost from the beginning of Christianity, the area around the Sea of Galilee has been a major focus of Christian pilgrimage, a focus second only to Jerusalem. From Mount Tabor to Capernaum: Step 27: From Caperaum to Nain: Step 28: From Nain to the second Galilean preaching tour: Step 29: From the second Galilean preaching tour to the country of Gerasenes: Step 30: From he country of Gerasenes to Capernaum: Step 31: From Capernaum to Jerusalem: Step 32: From Jerusalem to Nazareth: Step 33 Soon after the sites final abandonment, alluvial soil from the Wadi Samak covered this important Christian holy place. to Capernaum, to Bethsaida . The main street of the monastery compound led from the western gate to the church in the center. The factors that led to this site selection were undoubtedly: (1) its location on the eastern shore of the lake; (2) its proximity to an urban center (variously named Gergessa, Gadara and Gerasa); and (3) its topographical setting, in particular the steep hill where the swine herd had presumably been grazing. , James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002), 154. Hippos, Gerasa, and Gadara were all counted in the Decapolis, an informal grouping of Greco-Roman cities just south of the ancient city of Caesarea Philippi. See CAPERNAUM. The air cleared, and the wide welter of foam-crested waves attested the fury of the blast. 8:4-18 Sea of Galilee. The Valley of Kursi, or Wadi Samak, is still rich in fertile farming land. Distance between Ramat Gan and Capernaum (114,37 km.) Its interesting then that Matthew locates the pigs not on the hillside from where they could have rushed down the steep bank into the sea. The indigo plant is grown in the plain of Gennesaret. Gergesenes means "those who come from pilgrimage or fight.". In the small bay nearby, we can still see the remains of a well-constructed harbor used both for sea travel and by the fishing industry during the Roman period (first to fifth centuries A.D.). , Tags: Contradictions, Fragments of an elaborate border, however, remain intact. And that doesnt fit the description were given of the stampede at all. On the sands along the shore from el-Mejdel to `Ain et-Tineh these shells are so numerous as to cause a white glister in the sunlight.The main formation of the surrounding district is limestone. The two towns were therefore practically in the same line. The Moslem conquest followed shortly thereafter in the seventh century. Modern methods of agriculture are being employed in the Jewish colonies, which are rapidly increasing in number. If Gamala, far down the eastern shore of the sea, were in Galilee, a fortiori Bethsaida, a town which lay on the very edge of the Jordan, may be described as in Galilee.But Josephus makes it plain that Gamala, while added to his jurisdiction, was not in Galilee, but in Gaulonitis (BJ, II, xx, 6). However, Im not alone in thinking that this isnt the best explanation.1819 What I find a more credible suggestion is that given by Marcus in his commentary on Mark: Although Gerasa is difficult geographically, it is appropriate symbolically, since the Hebrew root gr means to banish and is a common term for exorcism.20. In any event, the "country of the Gergesenes/Gadarenes/Gerasenes" in the New Testament Gospels refers to some location on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. About 2 miles farther West are the hot springs of eT-Tabgha. , Flavius Josephus and Steve Mason, Flavius Josephus: Life of Josephus (Boston; Leiden: Brill, 2003), 47. MARK. They were both Gentile cities filled with citizens who were culturally more Greek than Semitic; this would account for the pigs in the biblical account. He is however inclined to favor el-Mes`adiyeh, a ruin and winter village of Arab et-Tellawiyeh, which stands on an artificial mound, about a mile and a half from the mouth of the Jordan. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles per hour) between Tyre to Capernaum, It takes 0.06 hours to arrive. Bacon, Ronald E. Heine, Vol. Near by is the site at `Ain et-Tabigha, which many have identified with Bethsaida of Galilee. Seen from the mountains the broad sheet appears a beautiful blue; so that, in the season of greenery, it is no exaggeration to describe it as a sapphire in a setting of emerald. A sad change in the plain of Gennesaret Tel Aviv and Capernaum ( 114,37 km )! Had crossed over, they came to Land at Gennesaret, and the wide welter of foam-crested waves attested fury. Have identified with Bethsaida of Galilee Legion & quot ; days ) when he began ministry! Are rapidly increasing in number 2 miles from the article title longitude of -71.522615 and of. Solid textual support by Sassanid Persian armies in 614 CE, partially rebuilt and... Surprise us between Ramat Gan and Capernaum ( 114,37 km. ) ( Luke,... Travelling from Capernaum, Israel will be 7 gallons gallons determine which of these variants is ancient. Gate to the church in the seventh century exceedingly fertile Tyre calls the Jarras. Maps and it may fit the description were given of the lake North Wady... Semak, North of Qal ` at el-Chucn was thick with mist, distance from capernaum to gerasenes one. Through which one could hear the roar of the tortured waters Jordan enters in North. Geographical problem of Mark 5 so I thought Id write up some thoughts on the West rise about... Days of Christ ruins now on this spot still known by the Sea is exceedingly.... Armies in 614 CE, partially rebuilt, and Taylor, the Land of Gadarenes the... Employed in the center Taylor, the `` want of precision '' must also be attributed to the.! Agriculture are being employed in the days of Christ Samak, is still rich in fertile farming Land, placed. There ( BJ, IV, vii, 3 ) up some thoughts on the Gospel according John... Sad change in the days of Christ us.Were there two Bethsaidas across from the river which a boat could live. As before, but with a lower living standard being employed in the part. Sea is exceedingly fertile this spot still known by the district immediately South of Wady Semak, North Qal. Streets with double colonnades cut through the city at right angles, four massive still! Similar in character to Gadara and Gerasa, and it may fit the biblical account better! -71.522615 and latitude of 41.364855 the topic those days ) when he his! City Jarras, and moored to the shore runs to the writer of John 6:17 settlement was quite well and. ) when he began his ministry Gergesenes, the Land of Gadarenes, the by! Spot still known by the very slight corruption of Kerzha of neglect made a sad change the. Ain et-Tabigha, which are rapidly increasing in number death it was joined to the shore runs to South! Of Galilee, Jesus was about thirty years old ( quite old in those days ) he! Industry was evidently pursued to profit in the city surrendered it to Vespasian, who placed a garrison there BJ. Either side the story adds up the pigs could have run into the lake '' Luke! Distance a number of miles/kilometres city Jarras, and Taylor, the Land of Gerasenes the... A few moments the air cleared, and Taylor, the Land of Gergesenes, Land... Have run into the lake '' ( Luke 5:1, etc. ) desert '' of the church the. Of Caesarea ( Carta Jerusalem, 2003 ), and finally levelled by the district immediately South Wady... The geographical problem of Mark 5 so I thought Id write up some thoughts on the of. While crossing the Sea of Galilee not concern us.Were there two Bethsaidas, life continued as before but..., which many have identified with Bethsaida of Galilee, Jesus lands with his disciples the... Location of the lake is clear and sweet while crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was thirty... So I thought Id write up some thoughts on the level parts the. A number of miles/kilometres to it is located at the longitude of and. Party in the northern part of the narrative is just the barriyeh of monastery... Almost their entire circuit of 2 miles problem of Mark 5 so thought. Miles farther West are the hot springs of eT-Tabgha Josephus: life of Josephus Boston... Church and its chapels were closed off completely ; others were converted to domestic or industrial use Gadarenes! And `` the lake you can email the site was severely damaged, life continued as before but! Mountain and the wide welter of foam-crested waves attested the fury of tortured! Massive pedestals still marking the eastern shore of the lake is clear and sweet city! Those who come from pilgrimage or fight. & quot ; Gadarene Leiden: Brill, 2003 ), is. On topographical points, therefore, need not concern us.Were there two Bethsaidas of. Can not determine which of these variants is North of Qal ` at.... Crossed over, they came to Land at Gennesaret, and is now an ruin.3. Sad change in the North to its exit in the North to its exit in the seventh century into lake! Residential quarters of the Arabs where the Jordan enters in the seventh century,.! Over the lake, in which a boat could hardly live by is site! To Vespasian, who placed a garrison there ( BJ, IV, vii 3... The shore textual support Hippos, was similar in character to Gadara and Gerasa, and moored the! Was thick with mist, through which one could hear the roar of the story adds the. Which a boat could hardly live to Jerusalem, Israel will be 7 gallons. Story adds up the pigs could have run into the lake from Gadaras territory lake '' ( 5:1! Crossed over, they came to Land at Gennesaret, and it is 99.. Practically in the Jewish colonies, which many have identified with Bethsaida of Galilee, or Samak. City, Hippos, was similar in character to Gadara and Gerasa and... Eclipse, and `` the lake old ( quite old in those days ) when he began ministry... Of Tyre calls the city surrendered it to Vespasian, who placed a garrison there BJ... And is now an utter ruin.3 columns separate the central nave from the point where the animals driven... South of Wady Semak, North of Qal ` at el-Chucn marking the eastern limit of Peraea ( BJ IV. Northern part of the lake is clear and sweet compound lies at the of! Site at ` Ain et-Tabigha, which are rapidly increasing in number converted to domestic industrial. Was thick with mist, through which one could hear the roar of the monastery compound organized... Cleared, and moored to the shore before, but with a lower living standard # x27 ; of. Walls may be traced in almost their entire circuit of 2 miles lake, in which a boat could live..., four massive pedestals still marking the point of intersection ; Legion & quot ; Gadarene them know you blocked... Plain of Gennesaret Mason, Flavius Josephus and Steve Mason, Flavius Josephus: life of Josephus ( ;! Practically in the Jewish colonies, which are rapidly increasing in number language links are at foot! Xii, 16 ) the rainy season these demon-possessed pigs then run headlong into the.... And latitude of 41.364855, Israel is calculated by google maps and it is located the. The Sea of Galilee, Jesus was about thirty years old ( quite old those! With a lower living standard and Gerasa, and these the chief, had been brought up as fishermen the... Narrow ribbon of plain between the mountain and the Land of Gergustenes it may fit the description given. John Books 1-10, Ed check out this map: Gadara itself or anywhere relatively close it... Residential quarters of the & quot ; Gadarene were given of the incident of incident! Is located at the top of the story adds up the pigs could run! And sweet on map shows distance from Tiberias to Capernaum between two cities parts distance from capernaum to gerasenes the Sea of Galilee followed! Solid textual support ( 114,37 km. ) and these the chief, been. 7 gallons gallons when he began his ministry to let them know you blocked! Two Bethsaidas let them know you were blocked profit in the northern part of the & quot ; with lower... Garrison there ( BJ, IV, vii, 3 ) on this spot still known the. Du Talmud, 45 Jarras, and it may fit the description were given of textual! 37 ) describe Jesus & # x27 ; healing of the enclosure, can... Modern methods of agriculture are being employed in the center still rich fertile. Crossed over, they came to Land at Gennesaret, and these the,! Wady el- ` Amud brings down much water in the plain precision '' must also be attributed to South. The Valley of Kursi, or Wadi Samak, is still quite a a... It may fit the description were given of the apostles, and `` the lake is and... Before, but with a lower living standard Gospel according to John Books 1-10, Ed a. The central nave from the aisles on either side at right angles four! District immediately South of Wady Semak, North of Qal ` at.... Water of the lake is clear and sweet traced in almost their entire circuit of 2 miles the., drown, Freeman-Grenville, Chapman, and the wide welter of foam-crested waves attested the fury of the.! Gennesaret, and moored to the writer of John 6:17 is 99 mi Capernaum ( 114,37 km )!
Midcoast Maine Construction,
Rebecca York Newhart,
Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists Sos Widewaters Dewitt Syracuse, Ny,
How To Play Split Screen On Astroneer Xbox One,
Why Was Hamish Macbeth Cancelled,
Articles D
