A few years later, Matthew, using Mark as a source for his own gospel, either misses Marks theological point or wants to achieve something else with his text and attempts to correct the events location. This city may be located at et-Tell, a ruined site on the East side of the Jordan on rising ground, fully a mile from the sea. The mountains on the East and on the West rise to about 2,000 ft. Matthew 15:29 Jesus departed there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up into the mountain, and sat there. This condition is fulfilled only by the district immediately South of Wady Semak, North of Qal `at el-Chucn. Northward the plain widens into the marshy breadths of el-BaTeichah, and once more we reach the Jordan, flowing smoothly through the fiat lands to the sea.3. Jesus'-Ministry, , 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. However, check out this map: Gadara itself or anywhere relatively close to it is still quite a distance a number of miles/kilometres. 3. , Flavius Josephus and Steve Mason, Flavius Josephus: Life of Josephus (Boston; Leiden: Brill, 2003), 47. Black basalt blocks form the base of the synagogue at Capernaum (Luke 7:5) Jesus travels round Galilee. Some of the auxiliary rooms of the church and its chapels were closed off completely; others were converted to domestic or industrial use. The name is derived from either a lakeside village, Gergesa, the next larger city, Gadara, or the best-known city in the region, Gerasa. Drains in the street reflect a high standard of living, as do the pottery and various other small finds such as coins and decorated glass vessels. Powered by, View over Kursi toward the Sea of Galilee, The Black Obelisks journey from Nimrud to London, A critical assessment of the scientific explanation for the Ten Plagues in The Exodus Decoded Plague 7: Hail. The main street of the monastery compound led from the western gate to the church in the center. Christian artifacts from Kursi can be viewed at the Golan Archaeological Museum. The presence of a copious spring of sweet water makes it probable that the site has been occupied from olden time; but no trace remains of any ancient city. So, Matthew is aware that on the face of it Marks account doesnt work. Superior buildings are rising outside the ancient walls. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The northern one, called the prothesis, housed the offerings of the faithful; the southern one, called the diaconicon, provided storage space for the sacred vessels and the vestments of the clergy. David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 991. Thats quite possible and I certainly dont dismiss that as an explanation for the geographical problem that prompted this post. 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). 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 . [5] From Capernaum, they go off by boat with Jesus to a quiet place (Mk 6:32) near Bethsaida (Lk 9:10). It was besieged by Baldwin II, in 1121 A.D. Important Roman remains have recently been discovered here. In the parallel passages (Mark 5:1 Luke 8:26, 37) we read: chora ton Gerasenon "country of the Gerasenes." Next, we reach the mouth of Wady Semak, in which lie the ruins of Kurseh, probably representing the ancient Gerasa. Thus Gamala, on the eastern shore, was within the jurisdiction of Josephus, who commanded in Galilee (BJ, II, xx, 4). In front of the prayer hall, a narthex, or porch, separates the hall from the large open forecourt, or atrium, mentioned earlier. The location of the incident of the "Gadarene . The Syrians made reprisals, and took many prisoners. John 12:21 These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Here the mountains recede from the shore, leaving a crescent-shaped plain, largely covered with the ruins of the ancient city. Gergesenes means "those who come from pilgrimage or fight.". The sultan of Damascus is said to have fortified it; but there is nothing to show that the Moslems occupied it for any length of time.3. Although the site was severely damaged, life continued as before, but with a lower living standard. ", beth-sa'-i-da (Bethsaida, "house of fishing"):(1) A city East of the Jordan, in a "desert place" (that is, uncultivated ground used for grazing) at which Jesus miraculously fed the multitude with five loaves and two fishes (Mark 6:32 Luke 9:10). Fish:The sea contains many varieties of fish in great numbers. (Ant., XVII, xi, 4; BJ, II, vi, 3). If Capernaum were at Khan Minyeh, then the two lay close together. Distances. The distance line on map shows distance from Tyre to Capernaum between two cities. In some places, the wall actually touches the boulder. General Description:The sea lies in the deep trough of the Jordan valley, almost due East of the Bay of Acre. As in the case of the other Bethsaida, no name has been recovered to guide us to the site. The arguments for and against this view may be summarized as follows:(a) Galilee ran right round the lake, including most of the level coastland on the East. open map. If it lay on the East it is inconceivable that none of them should have mentioned the river in this connection. "One may call this place the ambition of nature;. Unfortunately, the most severe damage to the mosaics occurred in the nave. 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.). A few birds escaped the iconoclasts blows, however, because they lay under fallen columns or under entranceways that had been blocked, and therefore had avoided notice. From the northern parts of the lake the Horns of ChaTTin, the traditional Mount of Beatitudes, may be seen through the rocky jaws of the gorge. The modern town stands at the northern corner of the plain; while at the southern end are the famous hot baths, the ancient Hammath. The miracle of the swine took place during Jesus' visit to "the land of the Gadarenes," "the land of the Gerasenes," or "the land of the Gergesenes.". Even if Judas were born in Gamala, and so might properly be called a Gaulonite, he may, like others, have come to be known as belonging to the province in which his active life was spent. After Jesus heals him/them, the demons are sent into a herd of pigs. It varies in depth from 130 ft. to 148 ft., being deepest along the course of the Jordan (Barrois, PEFS, 1894, 211-20). The bulldozer was stopped and the Department of Antiquities and Museums was called in to excavate scientifically. Only the mosaic in the baptistery can be dated with certainty. The house of Andrew and Peter seems to have been not far from the synagogue in Capernaum (Matthew 8:14 Mark 1:29, etc.). The sheltering hills provide excellent grazing areas, particularly for hogs, which are best suited to these rocky hills. (ii) No case can be cited where the phrase eis to peran certainly means anything else than "to the other side." There he meets a man seized with an unclean spirit (Mark) or with demons (Luke). At the beginning of the Jewish revolt the country around Gadara was laid waste (BJ, II, xviii, 1). Although the miracle goes under the name of the Gadarene swine, it seems that the name Gerasenes is nearer the mark, as this was the land of Geshur in ancient times. Two paved streets with double colonnades cut through the city at right angles, four massive pedestals still marking the point of intersection. The two towns were therefore practically in the same line. Robert L. Webb and Mark Allan Powell, vol. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1615141b8e2bf0 When they arrive on the shore he gets out and is met by two demoniacs/a guy called Legion. Did he just take a stab at a location that seemed possible based on what hed heard somewhere? It was given by Augustus to Herod the Great in 30 B.C. The greatest breadth is in the North, from el-Mejdel to the mouth of Wady Semak being rather over 7 miles. Gardens and orchards are being planted. Bacon, This is doubtless to be identified with the village of Bethsaida in Lower Gaulonitis which the Tetrarch Philip raised to the rank of a city, and called Julias, in honor of Julia, the daughter of Augustus. All Im able to say with any confidence is that Matthew felt compelled to change the location of the pigs. Every effort has been made to accurately determine the rights status of works and their images. The rooms on each side of the prayer hall were used for auxiliary purposes. 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. Click to reveal (c) The words of Mark (Mark 6:45), it is suggested (Sanday, Sacred Sites of the Gospels, 42), have been too strictly interpreted: as the Gospel was written probably at Rome, its author being a native, not of Galilee, but of Jerusalem. Gergesa was a small and very obscure town nearly opposite Capernaum. The rest of the mosaics were laid earlier, probably shortly after the church was built at the beginning of the sixth century. It was taken by Antiochus the Great when in 218 B.C. From this date the era of the city was reckoned. It is the only place fitting Matthew's description, since it contains the only "steep bank" in the area descending all the way to the shore of the lake. At this time the residential area was clustered around the church, and most of the former residential quarters were left unrepaired and unsettled. Scholarship seems to be split on whether Gergasa/Kursi is a viable option or not: But, whats the historical value of Eusebius claim? He therefore took it upon himself to change the geographical details to make them more realistic. The soil on the level parts around the sea is exceedingly fertile. If the waters are still, the shining splendors of the mountain may be seen mirrored in the blue depths. The distance line on map shows distance from Cana to Capernaum between two cities. Giu 11, 2022 | how to calculate calories per serving in a recipe. As this is too far from the sea for a fishing village, Schumacher (The Jaulan, 246) suggests that el-`Araj, "a large, completely destroyed site close to the lake," connected in ancient times with et-Tell "by the beautiful roads still visible," may have been the fishing village, and et-Tell the princely residence. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles per hour) between Nazareth to Capernaum, It takes 0.04 hours to arrive. 33A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1998), 226. The fruits of Gennesaret had such high repute among the rabbis that they were not allowed in Jerusalem at the time of the feasts, lest any might be tempted to come merely for their enjoyment (Neubauer, Geog. Want of precision on topographical points, therefore, need not surprise us. According to Mark, night and day he cries out on the mountains and bruises himself with stones. Why would he do that? Today they are the modern towns of Jerash and Umm Qais. Description:Modern Jerash lies on both banks of Wady Jerash, about 6 miles from its confluence with Wady ez-Zerqa (the Jabbok). Lucius Annius, at the instance of Vespasian, sacked and burned the city, with much slaughter (BJ, IV, ix, 1). :Many scholars maintain that all the New Testament references to Bethsaida apply to one place, namely, Bethsaida Julias. At the end of the nave is a semicircular apse. The warm water from copious springs runs into a little bay of the sea in which fishes congregate in great numbers. Distance between Jerusalem and Capernaum (126,65 km.) History:The great and splendid city in the Decapolis is first mentioned as taken after a siege by Alexander Janneus, 85 B.C. Near by is the site at `Ain et-Tabigha, which many have identified with Bethsaida of Galilee. Capernaum is a Peru city located at the longitude of -77.488175 and latitude of -4.446235 . The road then crosses a second promontory, and proceeds along the base of the mountain to Tiberias. A friend recently asked about the geographical problem of Mark 5 so I thought Id write up some thoughts on the topic. 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). A few palms are still to be seen. There the Jordan, issuing from the sea, almost surrounds the mound on which are the ruins of Kerak, the Tarichea of Josephus Crossing the floor of the valley, past Semakh, which is now a station on the Haifa-Damascus railway, we find a similar strip of plain along the eastern shore. 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. Further, if the Gospel of Mark embodies the recollections of Peter, it would be difficult to find a more reliable authority for topographical details connected with the sea on which his fisher life was spent. 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. 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. The lake and mountains are, in main outline, such as His eyes beheld. 1. When it comes down to it we really have no idea where the event the narratives are based on took place. Tyre: 33.2721571: 35.203278: Capernaum: 32.88033: 35.573307: Distance: 55.56 km: , Glenn F. Chesnut, Eusebius of Caesarea (Person), ed. OK. First up: they dont agree. The street terminated at the courtyard in front of the church. Was Marks knowledge of the Decapolis shaky? It dominates the center of the compound and covers a spacious area of 12,110 square feet. 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). Well probably never find out what the real deal is, but, as usual with these things, thats only a problem if we subscribe to the patently false doctrine of inerrancy.17. Like many large and important early Christian churches in the Holy Land, the church of Kursi includes a number of different elements. In a few moments the air was thick with mist, through which one could hear the roar of the tortured waters. To the Galilee flocked not only pilgrims, but also monks and scholars, searching for the places that Jesus had known. A steamer plies on the sea between the station at Semakh and Tiberias. A party in the city surrendered it to Vespasian, who placed a garrison there (BJ, IV, vii, 3). To get any further with working out where the event took place (if it took place at all) we can turn to church history. The figure of a ship frequently appears on its coins: conclusive. TIME. Jerusalem: 31.7857: 35.2007: Capernaum: 32.88033: 35.573307: Distance: 126.65 km: He says that it supplies grapes and figs through ten months of the year, and other fruits as they ripen together throughout the year (same place). 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. There is a cliff lying beside this lake from which they point out the swine were cast down by the demons.15. Finding out that biblical hail was actually ice and fire mixed together, which is actually ash blobs. Judas of Gamala (Ant., XVIII, i, l) is also called Judas of Galilee (ibid., i, 6). The water from `Ain et-Tabgha was brought round the promontory at `Ain et-Tineh by a conduit cut in the rock. Fragments of an elaborate border, however, remain intact. This is a difficulty for Marks account the pigs would have had to trot many miles from the country of the Gerasenes before they even reached the hillside that overlooks the lake, never mind actually get to the lake itself. 6.211. By protecting the boulder with a massive tower and building a chapel behind and above it, the early Christian fathers both commemorated and sanctified a site that Christian pilgrims could relate to the life of Jesus. The Gadarenes captured some of the boldest of the Jews, of whom several were put to death, and others imprisoned (ibid., 5). Or something. If freedom and security be enjoyed in reasonable measure, the region will again display its long-hidden treasures of fertility and beauty.W. Frost is not quite unknown; but no one now alive remembers it to have done more than lay the most delicate fringe of ice around some of the stones on the shore. Eusebius of Caesarea (260313 CE10) in his Onomasticon (basically a long list of place names with explanations of their location), not content with his available options of Gerasa and Gadara Eusebius decided to add a third candidate: Eusebius, Onomasticon, 74: Gergesa There the Lord healed the demoniacs. This writer extols the productiveness of the plain. The Bible is way more interesting than inerrancy would have you believe. In the South it is watered by the stream from Wady el-Chamam, the gorge that opens to the West of el-Mejdel.2. proof that its territory reached the sea. See CAPERNAUM. The Valley of Kursi, or Wadi Samak, is still rich in fertile farming land. Both Gerasa and Gadara were cities to the east of the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan. Gerasa, Gadara, Gergesa from where did the pigs stampede? Such storms are fairly frequent, and as they are attended with danger to small craft, the boatmen are constantly on the alert. Distance between Ramat Gan and Capernaum (114,37 km.) (ii) Medieval works of travel notice only one Bethsaida. Colorful mosaics, covering about 8,600 square feet, originally paved the entire church. 6.211. fine for parking in handicap spot in ohio. Gadara was the capital of Matthews country of the Gadarenes. In addition to the domestic uses of oilin foods, as well as in lampsvials of holy oil were often given or sold to pilgrims. He who feared His arrival now dreaded His departure. (iv) The present writer is familiar with these waters in both storm and calm. "(iv) There could hardly have been two Bethsaidas so close together.But:(i) It is not said that Jesus came hither that he might leave the territory of Antipas for that of Philip; and in view of Mark 6:30, and Luke 9:10, the inference from Matthew 14:13 that he did so, is not warranted. It was used to drive certain mills, and also to refresh the neighboring land. The chapel has an apse constructed within a natural rock shelter. In the early Roman period, an important urban settlement with a safe anchorage stood here. Toward the end of the eighth century, the monastery compound was again abandoned. It should be noted, however, that the name is in origin radically different from Bethsaida. Jesus agrees, so the demons or unclean spirits leave the man and enter the swine, which then rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned., The cured demoniac begs to accompany Jesus, but Jesus tells him to go home instead and declare how much God has done for you. The cured demoniac then declares to all how much Jesus had done for him. According to Mark, he proclaims it even in the cities of the Decapolisand all the men marveled.. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles per hour) between Tiberias to Capernaum, It takes 0.01 hours to arrive. In the middle of the eighth century, probably as a result of the disastrous earthquake of 746/747, the monastery was destroyed. The demons inside the man beg to be allowed to enter a nearby herd of swine, numbering about 2,000 according to Mark. In the side aisles were images of birds and other animals, but in the eighth century, after the church had been abandoned by Christians, Moslem iconoclasts systematically and intentionally destroyed these images in accordance with the Islamic prohibition against human or animal representations. Like, not even the alphabet. It is located at the longitude of -71.522615 and latitude of 41.364855. Further, Luke places the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the sea from Galilee . distance from capernaum to gerasenes. Brill, 19942000), 204. (2) Bethsaida of Galilee, where dwelt Philip, Andrew, Peter (John 1:44; John 12:21), and perhaps also James and John. v. 37) describe Jesus' healing of the demoniac "Legion" and . A herd of swine running headlong down the mountain would here inevitably perish in the lake (Matthew 8:32, etc.). Twitter. From the point where the Jordan enters in the North to its exit in the South is about 13 miles. Description: Where vegetable gardens are planted they yield plentifully. The soil is deep, rich loam, of amazing fertility. As a result of excavations by the Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums, however, it is becoming quite clear that the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee also played an important role in early Christian pilgrimages. The prosperity of the sixth century abruptly ended with the Persian invasion in 614 A.D. Rows of columns separate the central nave from the aisles on either side. Calms a storm from . Some of these sites, such as Capernaum, have a continuous and uninterrupted place in the history of Christian pilgrimage, beginning as far back as the first centuries of our era. The land is almost entirely cleared, and it rewards the toil of the husbandman with all its ancient generosity.W. But Gergesa, from which comes the name the Gergesenes, is an ancient city in the vicinity of the lake which is now called Tiberias. 80, The Fathers of the Church (Catholic University of America Press, 1989), 226.

Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home Independence, Va Obituaries, Stan Kroenke Yacht, Articles D