Gadarenes
People's Dictionary of the Bible [1]
Gadarenes (Găd'A-Renez' ), country of. Possibly the same as that of the Gergesenes, R. V. "Gerasenes;" Matthew 8:28 R. V., but Gergesenes in A. V. Mark 5:1; Gadarenes, A. V., and so in Luke 8:26, but Gerasenes in R. V. in both passages. A region about Gadara, an important city about 6 miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee, and 16 miles from Tiberias; now called Um Keis. The town is about 1215 feet above the sea-level, on the western crest of a mountain. The tomb-caverns are very numerous, and some of them are still inhabited by the Arabs, illustrating Matthew 8:28. The place of the miracle of Matthew 8:28-33 has been in doubt, but it cannot be Gadara, which is too far from the lake for the herd of swine to rush into it precipitantly in one short run. Recent explorations fix it, with some certainty, about midway of the Lake of Galilee, on its eastern side and near Gerasa, or modern Kersa. Between two wadys, Semakh and Fik, which are 3 miles apart, the hills come within 40 feet of the lake, and present a steep slope, so that a herd of swine running swiftly down it would be carried on into the water. There are various readings of the name in the original text of the Gospels. The reading of Matthew 8:28 was probably "Gadarenes" (as in the R. V.), which Origen changed to "Gergesenes." In Mark 5:1 the readings are "Gerasenes" or "Gadarenes;" in Luke 8:26, "Gerasenes," "Gergesenes," or "Gadarenes." The explanation is, Gadara, a chief city, is named, as better known than Gerasa or Khersa.
Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary [2]
GADARA, GADARENES
A place and people made memorable by the visit of the Lord Jesus. It was a city of Palestine, so called, perhaps, from being walled, from Cedar, surrounded or trooped in. Here it was, that Jesus met the man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs, whom no fetters nor chains could bind, and whom Jesus healed. It forms a most interesting miracle, in the account of Christ's ministry, (See Mark 5:1-30) Who can say, but that the Lord Jesus directed his steps to this very spot, purposely for the salvation of this poor man, and him only? For we are told, that while he sat at the feet of Jesus, (after that the Lord had dispossessed the evil spirit) clothed, and in his right mind: the Gadarenes began to pray Jesus to depart out of their coasts. What higher proofs can be needed to mark distinguishing grace! What an act of mercy had Jesus wrought, not only to the poor demoniac, but to the whole country, in delivering them from his violence and outrage, while under possession of the devil. And yet, though thus freed from all apprehension in future; the presence of Him, that by his sovereign and Almighty power, had wrought the gracious act, is painful to them. "Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways!" ( Job 21:14) And awful to say, but too true to be questioned, such is the language of every man's heart by nature.
Morrish Bible Dictionary [3]
These are also called GERGESENES and GERASENES in the different Greek MSS. As the Sea of Galilee had various names, so had the inhabitants according as they were associated with different districts in the vicinity. The Gadarenes abode on the east of the Sea of Galilee, where the Lord cured the two demoniacs, though Mark and Luke mention but one. One of them said his name was Legion. The demons obtained permission to go into a herd of swine, which, being possessed, rushed down into the water and were drowned. Travellers have found a place in the locality which has a steep decline into the sea and which exactly answers to the details of the gospel narrative. Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39 .
Easton's Bible Dictionary [4]
Mark 5:1 Luke 8:26,37 Matthew 8:28
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [5]
GADARENES . See Gadara.
