Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Luke, writing for a non-Jewish audience, carefully describes the location as "opposite Galilee," emphasizing that this is foreign territory, distinct from the familiar Jewish lands across the lake. This geographical detail subtly sets the stage for the radical encounter with the demonic that is about to unfold.
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus and his disciples sail across the Sea of Galilee, landing in a region inhabited by Gentiles, a stark contrast to the Jewish lands they've been ministering in. This arrival sets the stage for a dramatic encounter with a man violently possessed by a legion of demons, highlighting Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm. The ensuing events, including the destruction of a herd of pigs, will cause the local people to fear Jesus and ask him to leave.
Jesus and his disciples set sail, not for familiar waters, but for a place described as 'opposite Galilee.' Why would they intentionally travel into a potentially hostile or unknown region?
The disciples' journey across the Sea of Galilee wasn't just a geographical move; it was a deliberate step into the 'other side,' a region often associated with Gentile populations and, in this case, a place of spiritual darkness.
Purposeful Departure
Jesus initiated this journey, saying, 'Let us go over to the other side' (Luke 8:22). This wasn't a spontaneous decision but a directed mission. They were moving from their familiar surroundings, where Jesus had just calmed the storm, to a new territory.
Strategic Location
The text specifies the destination as the 'country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.' This strategic positioning highlights the purpose: to bring the light of the Gospel to areas outside their immediate Jewish context. It foreshadows the expansive reach of God's kingdom.
The text mentions the 'country of the Gerasenes,' but the manuscripts vary—Gadarenes, Gergesenes. Why this variation, and what does it tell us about this place?
The subtle differences in names for this region—Gerasenes, Gadarenes, Gergesenes—are more than just scribal quirks. They point to the complexity of the location and the challenges of identifying it precisely.
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Local Identity vs. Wider Recognition
Scholars suggest that Gergesa might have been a smaller, less prominent town, while Gadara or Gerasa were larger, more significant cities in the broader region. It's possible that the early preachers, when sharing the story of the dramatic miracle, referred to the better-known city to help people locate the event, even if the miracle itself occurred in the smaller village's territory.
A Land of Contrasts
Regardless of the exact name, this region lay across the sea from Galilee, a place where Jesus had been teaching and performing miracles. Crossing over meant entering territory that was likely predominantly Gentile, presenting a stark contrast to the established Jewish communities.
The varied place names (Gadarenes, Gerasenes, Gergesenes) in ancient manuscripts likely stem from the fact that this miracle occurred in a border region with several nearby towns, causing early storytellers to reference the most familiar or significant local center.
c. 1st century AD
Roman Presence in Decapolis
The region east of the Sea of Galilee, including cities like Gadara and Gerasa, was part of the Roman Decapolis, a league of ten cities known for their Hellenistic culture and relative autonomy.
c. 1st century AD
Jewish and Gentile Populations
This area was a border region between predominantly Jewish Galilee to the west and Gentile-controlled territories to the east, leading to a mix of cultures and potential tensions.
c. 1st century AD
Swine Raising in the Region
The presence of a large herd of swine suggests a Gentile or mixed population, as pork consumption was forbidden for observant Jews according to Mosaic Law.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Crosses Sea of Galilee
Jesus and his disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee from the Jewish region of Galilee to the eastern shore, likely to escape the crowds and find a quieter place.
c. 1st century AD
Encounter with Demon-Possessed Man
Upon landing, Jesus immediately encountered a man (or men) intensely oppressed by demonic forces, showcasing Jesus' authority over spiritual evil.
c. 1st century AD
Demons Enter Swine Herd
The demons requested to enter a nearby herd of pigs, which then rushed into the sea and drowned, a startling event that revealed the destructive nature of the demons and caused the local inhabitants to fear Jesus.
This passage records the same event but names the region as the 'country of the Gergesenes,' highlighting the textual variations in the location's name across the Gospels.
Mark 5:1Mark's account also describes the arrival in the 'country of the Gadarenes,' offering another perspective on this significant encounter with the demon-possessed man.
Luke 5:4This verse uses the same Greek word for 'deep' that is referenced in the scholarly context, 'abyss,' relating it here to the sea, which provides a linguistic parallel to the discussion of where the demons were sent.
Revelation 20:3This passage also uses the term 'abyss' or 'bottomless pit,' directly connecting to the scholarly discussion about the place where evil spirits are punished.
clarkeLuke 8:26: "And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee."
The country of the Gadarenes - Or, according to several MSS., Gerasenes or Gergasenes. See on Matthew 8:28 (note), and Mark 5:1 (note).
pulpitLuke 8:26: "And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee."
Verses 26-39. - The evil spirit in the Gergesene demoniac is dismissed into the herd of swine. Verse 26. - And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes. There is a perplexing difference in the reading of the older manuscripts here, but it is simply a question of the precise name of the locality where the great miracle was worked. In the three narratives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke the older manuscri…
Luke, writing for a non-Jewish audience, carefully describes the location as "opposite Galilee," emphasizing that this is foreign territory, distinct from the familiar Jewish lands across the lake. This geographical detail subtly sets the stage for the radical encounter with the demonic that is about to unfold.
Jesus and his disciples sail across the Sea of Galilee, landing in a region inhabited by Gentiles, a stark contrast to the Jewish lands they've been ministering in. This arrival sets the stage for a dramatic encounter with a man violently possessed by a legion of demons, highlighting Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm. The ensuing events, including the destruction of a herd of pigs, will cause the local people to fear Jesus and ask him to leave.
Jesus and his disciples sail across the Sea of Galilee, landing in a region inhabited by Gentiles, a stark contrast to the Jewish lands they've been ministering in. This arrival sets the stage for a dramatic encounter with a man violently possessed by a legion of demons, highlighting Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm. The ensuing events, including the destruction of a herd of pigs, will cause the local people to fear Jesus and ask him to leave.
"Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee." — Luke, writing for a non-Jewish audience, carefully describes the location as "opposite Galilee," emphasizing that this is foreign territory, distinct from the familiar Jewish lands across the lake. T…
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Last reviewed October 2026