how many times did jesus go to gerasenes

iii. When Jesus asked the demoniac his name, it was not without significance for He was, I believe, asking the demons to reveal their identity. xviii. For years the tomb-man, this one-man barracks of a thousand devils, had terrorized them. 3); they are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day (Jude 6); and what the unclean spirits deprecate here, is the bringing in, by anticipation, of that final doom. R. C. Trench, Notes on the Miracles of Our Lord (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1949), p. 100. The tomb-man had beaten off much larger men in his demonic rages. The NT references ( Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26; cf. (no date), The Fourfold Gospel (Cincinnati, OH: Standard). 21,22). What purposes did Mark intend to achieve by the inclusion of this event? The pagan religions continued among the Gentile population as is evidenced by the ruins of the temple of Artemis. [9], The revealing of the demon's name has parallels with other examples in Jewish exorcism lore in the Second Temple period. However, the point was clearly made; Jesus, the Son of God, has power over all things, including the powers of darkness. It is a violent tempest, that is, outside of the natural. Romans 6 speaks about our identification with Christ in baptism and being dead to sin and alive in Christ. Generic Doubly-Linked-Lists C implementation, Understanding the probability of measurement w.r.t. in 1971. But Jesus was sleeping. is there such a thing as "right to be heard"? 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. What is the 'age of accountability' and is it Biblical. Mark 5:1-20,Luke 8:26-39 NIV - Jesus Restores a Demon - BibleGateway T. H. Huxley, in his Essays upon some Controverted Questions (1892), made merry over the escapade of the Gadarene swine, running the seven miles between Gadar and the lake of Galilee, crossing the deep river Yarmuk en route. 118 H. 606-607. What Is hyssop and why Is It so significant in the Bible? The herdsmen who witnessed this event spread the news to the people living in that area. Matthew 8:4; Luke 8:56). It is also a possibility that in the handing down of New Testament manuscripts over many years, slightly different readings of the same word have developed. Textual variations have compounded the problem. A main street with columns on both sides leads out of the forum. Such an entreaty can be addressed by them to only God. The price tag of possession was high, for those who fell victim to the demons agonized in constant torment. There is, as we know, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. People try to make Jesus king; he walks on sea; heals many. 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. But the rest stopped some twenty feet away. The Greek word in Matthew 8:28, however, reveals that Jesus went to the country of the Gadarenes (p. 23). He dispatched Lucius Annius with a force of cavalry and an army of foot soldiers, who took the city on the first attack, slaughtering a thousand young men, taking their families captive, plundering and burning the city and the surrounding towns (Jos. Pastor John gets to the heart and offers practical suggestions for growing in evangelism. The Syrians made reprisals, and took many prisoners. When the pigs were sent into the sea, the people of Gadara lost money. The next allusion to Gerasa concerns its capture during Vespasians campaign. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, XLIX(4), 567588; Burdon, Christopher. Matt 8:28). His lucid mind mulled over the words, "Son of the Most High God.". 13ff.). Two paved streets with double colonnades cut through the city at right angles, four massive pedestals still marking the point of intersection. There probably were not many who had been told yet of the Messiah, and so were not yet believers. 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. ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Sunday, April 23, 2023 Tell us where you're. Spam, Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army, Raised Lutheran MD former Family Physician. 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). War I. iv. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Pliny described it as a city of the Decapolis founded after the Rom. If there are two demoniacs, there is certainly at least one; therefore, there is no contradiction. Also, frequently associated with demon possession was a super-human strength (cf. The simple fact is that Matthew mentions two of the demoniacs while Mark and Luke only mention one. 32, after Passover. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. The Maniac Who Became a Missionary, Part 1. Then any greatest of men, like any prophet, hero or king? Are we welcoming him into our lives? 4, p. 102. Neither is it only a kind of physical disease, although spiritual and physical disease often accompany it (e.g. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Did the drapes in old theatres actually say "ASBESTOS" on them? It was a region of 10 Greco-Roman cities, a Gentile region. 9. The Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 5:1-20) | Bible.org 3). [13] Saint Augustine of Hippo concluded from the story that Christians have no duties towards animals,[2] writing: Christ himself shows that to refrain from the killing of animals and the destroying of plants is the height of superstition, for judging that there are no common rights between us and the beasts and trees, he sent the devils into a herd of swine and with a curse withered the tree on which he found no fruit. Jesus, Go Away! | Theology of Work In retaliation for the massacre of the Jews at Caesarea, the Jews sent several raiding parties into the Gentile cities of the Decapolis. A Summary and Analysis of Jesus and the Gadarene Swine Excavations at the modern Jarash (by the British and American Schools of Oriental Research and Yale University) clearly show that Gerasa was a large and important city already in Jesus time. No, on the contrary, they begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them (8:37). 5:2-3? 22, xvii. The Lord Jesus pointed out that "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." This response is probably an allusion to the rejection that occurred the night before by the Scribes and Pharisees and in preparation by the Gentiles of Gadara on the next day. What was it that they saw? Archeologists identify it with the modern Jarash. 26). If you are able tosupport usthis month we will invest your gift in making the hope of the gospel freely available to others who are wandering in the tombs of despair. In the 2nd cent. The tomb-man from Gadara looked up at Jesus again. The modern village Jarash is situated on the hillside above the ruins, built with stones from the ruins. Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. We read at Mk 5:14-17 (NRSVCE), the immediate after-effects of the driving out of evil spirits by Jesus at Gerasene by allowing them to enter pigs: The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Definition of Gadarenes (Gergesenes) in the Bible - Bible Study (4) Our Lord did not command the demons to enter into the pigs and bring about their destruction; He only permitted it.124. These, however, are not the problem raised by Bible students. It had nothing to do the farmers losing revenue - at all. [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. There is the so-called demon of doubt, of anger, of overindulgence, of drunkenness, laziness and so on. The lesson of this passage is that Satan is a defeated foe. Apparently Gerasa was rebuilt by the Romans before the revolt began, prob. Until then, we have been commissioned to preach the gospel and declare God's saving gr Paul says of the former life of the Christian, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 1:1-2). (3) Spiritual insight. The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. Classical theological commentary cited this story to argue that animals have no moral importance in Christianity. Normal relationships are reversed. Declare how much God has done for you. No rage. In any event, the apparent differences in the texts prob. This town is not to be confused with either Gerasa or Gadara. Yet how did the Gerasene people respond? He could think! Others are absolutely controlled (hooked) by the drug and totally dependent upon it. Here the slopes descend swiftly almost into the sea, and animals, once started on the downward run, could not avoid plunging into the depths. Fellowship is an irreplaceable means of grace in the Christian life and offers us two priceless joys: receiving Gods grace through the helping words of others and giving his grace to others through our own. Peace, like the quiet sea. War II. They include several splendid temples, theaters, basilica, palaces and baths, with hippodrome and naumachia. [The natural spirit of the man seeking to throw off the dominion of the demons would cry out in agony, and the demons themselves, in their own misery, would use him as a vehicle to express their own grief. Where Did Jesus Miracle Occur? The pig tenders reported it far and wide, in city and country (verse 14). Their answer is: 'No, we do not want to stone you because we want to keep you near us. Some were already hurrying back toward the city. First of all, I believe Mark was attempting to warn his Gentile readers of the great danger of demonic influence and activity. 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. Jerash, ancient Gerasa And, lastly, this would allow sufficient time for those miracles which took place on that second day in Capernaum after His return thither. rev2023.5.1.43404. Did they open their hearts to hear the good news of the kingdom of God? especially fn. When once he was an instrument of Satanic opposition against the Messiah, now he is a witness to His power. 1 Response The ruins of the town are not considerable; but there are remains of a strong wall which must have surrounded the place. P.S. As these people began to piece together the previous events, not only of the destruction of the pigs, but also the deliverance of Legion, they began to sense that there was One far more awesome, much more to be feared, than Legion. Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1951), p. 174. Jon Bloom serves as teacher and cofounder of Desiring God. 3. 1. May I open all that I am to you, boldly trusting you. Jesus asks the demon for his name and is told "My name is Legion, for we are many". and thank you for your contribution. 84,145). 6:30-44. Those possessed are depicted throughout as unfortunate sufferers who by no fault of their own are dominated by evil spirits and who, when the spirits are cast out by Jesus, accept their deliverance with joy and gratitude (Mark v. 18-20, Luke viii. Coffman, James Burton (1975), Commentary on Mark (Abilene, TX: ACU Press). The subject of demons and demon possession has always seemed somewhat remote and academic to sophisticated 20th century Americans. Jesus at the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum (Chart and Map - English Jesus visits Gadara - easyenglish.bible (1995), New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Nelson). Other textual variations include "Gadarenes" and "Gergesenes". The story was interpreted by Saints Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas to mean that Christians have no duties to animals. Though Legion bowed before Jesus (verse 6), it was no act of worship (as the King James Version would seem to indicate). 7th District AME Church: God First Holy Conference 2023 - Facebook This man demonstrated all four characteristics. Lane, Mark, p. 182, fn. He was leaving! It didnt take long for the word to spread quickly. Five squad cars converged on it. Here is one of the few times that a miracle drove people away, rather than to draw them to Jesus. I know this, yet, like the people in the story, I can hesitate. For many Christians today, the horrifying experience of Legion should be sufficient testimony of the reality of the Satanic underworld. The man jumped up and said to him, "Sir, please, may I go with you? Demon possession, such as that of the Gerasene demoniac is the crudest and cruelest form of Satanic control, but by and large also one of the less common manifestations of Satans work in the world today. Bible Map: Gerasa But it was different this time. He recognized most of them. The reference could hardly be to the better known Gerasa (Jerash) between thirty and forty miles southeast from the lake. A small crowd of people was approaching, with the pig herdsmen leading the way. Did Jesus Go to Gerasa or Gadara? - Apologetics Press ii. But here we speak not about a bishop, but about Christ who made His Godhead revealed through devils beseeching Him not to cast them to hell but enter the swine. There was no such danger in Perea, and thus the mercy of the Lord was to be heralded. Life with him would be heaven on earth. Vote Up 5:5). Can devils entreat in such a manner any highest of angels, be he Michael, Gabriel or Raphael, or any greatest cherub or seraph? The people (nations) were divided up, and boundaries allocated' and the sons of god were put over these nations. It was the terror of the damned. Jude 6), no longer to afflict men or resist God. He had only known Jesus for a few hours, but had already determined to be Jesus' disciple for life. In both the accounts of Mark and Luke, the primary motivation is described as that of fear. Says he is "the bread of life"; many are stumbled and leave 6:22-71. It is even possible that his request was to become one of our Lords disciples.125. GERASA, GERASENES ( , ). You could hear alarm in their voices. Demons are highly organized (cf. Every resource on our site was made possible through the financial support of people like you. Yet, on a deeper level, they we afraid of how Jesus might impact their lives. June 15, 2004. But Christianity early became important in the city; several churches were built during these centuries, so that by the 5th cent., Gerasa could send a bishop to the Council of Chalcedon. This makes sense, I couldn't believe they asked Jesus to leave. He had only known Jesus for a few hours, but had already determined to be Jesus' disciple for life. There is no true freedom and fulfillment apart from Jesus Christ, the Creator and Redeemer of men. 9. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Do not be afraid. He said he had come to the house of Israel, not to the gentiles. Jesus was saying, (demonstrating) that He had all authority, in any land. The ruins are wide and imposing and are better preserved than any others on the East of Jordan. It was besieged by Baldwin II, in 1121 A.D. (3) Our Lord was moved with compassion by the torment of Legion and the loss of these pigs should in no way dim our view of the deliverance of the demoniac. 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. How Many Times Did Jesus Go To Gerasenes. This fact probably accounts for the presence of a large herd of swine near Gadara when Jesus visited that region to heal the demon-possessed men (Matthew 8:30-33; Mark 5:1-17). Amen. The New Testament speaks of those who had a spirit, or a demon, or demons, or an unclean spirit, or the spirit of an unclean demon, but chiefly of persons who were demonised. Edersheim, Life and Times, I, p. 479. Catholic Daily Mass - Daily TV Mass - April 23, 2023 - Facebook In Jewish thinking, spirit beings were assigned to certain geographical territories.120. Contributors: Mark D. Roberts Published by The High Calling, March 11, 2011. 68f. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. Similar to the storm we see in the book of Job that killed Jobs sons - and Satan was the instigator of that as well. Second (and primarily), Mark employs this event to authenticate the claims of Jesus to be the Son of God and Israels Messiah. 1), and apparently occupied these cities with Jewish patriots. No! All of us may be so concerned with our own livelihoods that we fail to serve other people and help those in desperat It was a hard call to return to the place where he had known demons, chains, tombs, self-mutilation, public humiliation, abuse, loneliness, and suicidal torment. He lived there among the tombs and graves. 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. The exercising of authority over demons, in the land under another god, was a message. Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12), whose leader and prince is Satan (Matthew 12:24). What is the significance of Decapolis in the Bible? The ruins are wide and imposing and are better preserved than any others on the East of Jordan. If he was a pagan, why did Jesus cast out his demons? The herd, about two thousand in number, rush down the steep bank into the sea and are drowned. Spam, July 19 2021 They didn't understand! Further, the conclusion seems warranted that there was confusion in some MSS of Gerasa with the more likely site for the miracle near Gergesa. 1). Our Lord responded sternly by calling this accusation blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and as such was the one unpardonable sin (verses 28-30). The entrance of the term into colloquial speech indicates that the Roman occupation was a heavy burden. Finally, there is in demon possession a counterpart to the filling (or control) of the Holy Spirit. These ruins date from the 2nd to the 7th centuries and show that the city flourished during this period as a center for religion, culture, and commerce. We're going to drown!' Contrasting the self-destruction of the herd of pigs with the typical motif of an individual evil-doer being pushed over a cliff by an undifferentiated mob (cf. 16, x. It was the terror of the damned. ( Luke 8:39) 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). Traces of ancient buildings in the vicinity show that there must have been a fairly numerous population in the district.2. Some appeared not to be oppressed by them so much as exploiting their powers (cf. 124 Augustine: The devils were driven out and permitted to go into the swine; and Aquinas: But that the swine were driven into the sea was no work of the divine miracle, but was the work of the devils by divine permission. Quoted by Trench, Miracles, fn. The Matthew account mentions two demon-possessed men, while Mark and Luke only mention one. The destructive desires of the demons were dramatically carried out in the drowning of the swine. 9. He felt Jesus' reassuring hand on his shoulder. Jesus, be my healer. xvi. They asked Jesus to leave that place. The demons beg Jesus not to send them away, but instead to send them into the pigs on a nearby hillside, which he does. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. But, the pigs were a part of their economic wealth. 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. 8:28-29 but only one is Mk. 115 While Mark and Luke describe only one demoniac, Matthew informs us that there were two. The triumphal arch to the South of the city is almost entire. He is the author of. First, the man is hunted, then stoned, and finally he is killed; this is why the possessed lived among the tombs. Youngblood, Ronald F., ed. It's a curious passage with many unanswered questions. His animal-like shrieks must have sent chills up the spines of any who were nearby. 4.1K views, 50 likes, 28 loves, 154 comments, 48 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from 7th District AME Church: Thursday Morning Opening Session In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost? 4. It is almost 20 miles from Amman (Philadelphia), and 22 from Fahil (Pella). As an alternative to confinement, the demons posed the option of being permitted to enter the pigs, some 2,000 in number, feeding nearby. Thats just westernised interpretation which simply doesnt work when interpretating a Jewish book. They were sacrificed by being thrown off a cliff. When our Lord confronted the demons, they had to submit to His power and authority. May I never send you away from me, even in small things. This and hundreds of other resources are available free on our site due to the Lord's provision of generous financial supporters. Paul tells us that our struggle is, at bottom, a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12). Pigs were seen as unclean animals in the eyes of the people of Israel. (1) Severe personality change. In contrast, the people of Gerasene are asking him to leave their place. iv. ', referring to the nuclear power plant in Ignalina, mean? xvii. Gerasa; Gerasenes - Meaning and Verses in Bible Encyclopedia or by some form of self-emptying (such as various forms of eastern meditation) in my opinion, they are in a precarious position. Thank you for setting the demoniac free. The healing of the demoniacs and the repulse of the Healer by the inhabitants are historical, but the incident of the swine is a later figment. It is clear that Matthew, Mark, and Luke did not contradict each otherin fact, they complemented each other. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. This reversal of the scapegoat mechanism by Jesus is central to Girard's entire reading of Christianity, and this reversal is on display in this story as well. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. A word of clarification is in order here for we must recognize that in this account the dark side of Satan is exposed, but this is perhaps the more unusual side of Satan. Romans Bible Study, Chapter 5 Romans 5 speaks about justification and our relationship to Adam. We should be warned that fooling with these Satanic fronts is like experimenting with drugs. His soul was clean. They greatly desire to enter and control a physical body, whereby they may reflect their character and attributes. This supposition would be further confirmed, if the evening when Jesus embarked was what the Jews were wont to call the first evening, that is, the time when the sun was declining in the heaven, but before it had actually set, the latter time being the second evening. For it seems most unlikely that multitudes would have resorted to Jesus at Capernaum after the second evening, or that either the disciples or other boats would have put to sea after nightfall. Once a menace to society, now a messenger with words of deliverance and healing. By your Spirit, help me to welcome you into my life, all of you. One day we will see the Lord face-to-face and enjoy His presence forever. 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. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it.

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