Lexical Summary Gerasénos: Gerasene Original Word: Γερασηνός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gergesene. Of Hebrew origin (Girgashiy); a Gergesene (i.e. Girgashite) or one of the aborigines of Palestine -- Gergesene. see HEBREW Girgashiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Gerasene, of Gerasa, a city E. of the Jordan NASB Translation Gerasenes (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1086: ΓεργεσηνόςΓεργεσηνός, Γεργεσηνη, Γεργεσηνον, Gergesene, belonging to the city Gergesa, which is assumed to have been situated on the eastern shore of Lake Gennesaret: Matthew 8:28 Rec. But this reading depends on the authority and opinion of Origen, who thought the variants found in his manuscripts Γαδαρηνῶν and Γερασηνῶν (see these words) must be made to conform to the testimony of those who said that there was formerly a certain city Gergesa near the lake. But Josephus knows nothing of it, and states expressly (Antiquities 1, 6, 2), that no trace of the ancient Gergesites (A. V. Girgashites, cf. B. D. under the word) (mentioned Genesis 15:20; Joshua 24:11) had survived, except the names preserved in the O. T. Hence, in Matthew 8:28 we must read Γαδαρηνῶν (so T Tr WH) and suppose that the jurisdiction of the city Gadara extended quite to the Lake of Gennesaret; but that Matthew (Matthew 8:34) erroneously thought that this city was situated on the lake itself. For in Mark 5:14; Luke 8:34, there is no objection to the supposition that the men came to Jesus from the rural districts alone. (But for the light thrown on this matter by modern research, see B. D. American edition under the word Topical Lexicon Geographic Setting Gerasene designates inhabitants or territory associated with the ancient city of Gerasa, one of the leading cities of the Decapolis east of the Jordan. Situated on elevated terrain roughly 50 kilometers southeast of the Sea of Galilee, Gerasa commanded trade routes linking the highlands of Gilead with the Jordan Valley. The presence of large herds of swine (Mark 5:11) confirms a predominantly Gentile population, as swine-raising was alien to Jewish custom. Textual Variants and Integrity of the Witness Early manuscripts of Mark 5 and Luke 8 preserve three readings—Gerasenes, Gadarenes, and Gergesenes. While copyists evidently harmonized place-names with local familiarity, the Gerasene reading enjoys strong Alexandrian support and preserves the broader Decapolis perspective. No doctrine hinges on the variation, and all readings agree that Jesus ministered in a predominantly Gentile region east of the lake. Narrative Context: Jesus and the Legion (Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39) “Then they came to the other side of the sea, into the region of the Gerasenes.” (Mark 5:1) In the Gerasene narrative Jesus confronts a man possessed by “Legion,” a name that evokes overwhelming demonic control. By commanding the demons to enter a nearby herd of pigs, Christ publicly demonstrates comprehensive authority over the unclean realm. The precipitous plunge of the swine into the lake prefigures the final destruction of evil powers (Revelation 20:10). Luke records that after his deliverance the restored man was “sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35). This posture of discipleship contrasts sharply with the earlier frenzy and isolation, underscoring redemption’s power to re-create human identity. Missional Significance When the local populace begged Jesus to depart, the delivered man implored to accompany Him. Instead, Jesus commissioned him: “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” (Luke 8:39) Thus the first explicitly commissioned witness to Gentile cities is a former demoniac from Gerasa. His testimony becomes the seed of Gospel proclamation in the Decapolis, preparing later harvests such as those implied in Mark 7:31–37 and Mark 8:1–10. Theological Themes 1. Authority over the Invisible Realm: The Gerasene incident is the most detailed exorcism in the Synoptic tradition, showcasing Messiah’s supremacy where human restraints failed (Mark 5:3–4). Historical Insights Archaeology at modern Jerash confirms a prosperous Greco-Roman metropolis during the first century, complete with theaters, temples, and massive city walls. Such urbane surroundings explain the presence of commerce in swine and the fear of economic loss among herdsmen and townspeople (Mark 5:14). Pastoral and Practical Applications • No realm is beyond Christ’s liberating reach; demonic strongholds crumble before His word. Related Old Testament Parallels Isaiah’s prophecy of light dawning “beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations” (Isaiah 9:1) anticipates Messiah’s ministry among Gentiles. The Gerasene deliverance embodies that promise, illuminating the darkness east of the lake. Conclusion The three Gerasene references anchor a pivotal episode that reveals Jesus’ authority, foreshadows the inclusion of the Gentiles, and models Spirit-empowered witness. The memory of Gerasa endures as a testament that “the Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Forms and Transliterations Γερασηνων Γερασηνῶν Gerasenon Gerasenôn Gerasēnōn Gerasēnō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |