Luke 8:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

NIV: They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.

NASB: Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

CSB: Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

NLT: So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee.

KJV: And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

NKJV: Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.

Jesus and the disciples have survived a violent storm at night on the Sea of Galilee. Now, they land on the eastern shore. It is unclear exactly where this is, a task made more difficult because manuscripts of the synoptic Gospels use three different terms to identify the locals.

"Gerasenes" are people who live in Gerasa, in modern-day Jerash, Jordan, southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Most translations of Matthew and some of Mark and Luke use "Gadarenes," referring to residents of Gadara, a Greek city much closer southeast from the southern tip of the Sea. Some translations of Matthew use "Gergesenes," referring to Gergesa, a region in Decapolis, directly across the Sea of Galilee from the district of Galilee. Geographically, Gergesa makes the most sense, but the location was not considered until Origen thought it a good option in the early- to mid-third century. Gerasa is too far away, but it's worth noting that "Gergesa" turns to "Gerasa" with a slight transcription error. In other words, the difference in the records is likely a simple spelling error by copyists. What's not in doubt is that the boat landed on the other side of the Sea of Galilee in a Gentile region.

The broader location becomes more significant somewhat later. After Jesus releases the man from possession by a legion of demons, He tells the man to share what God has done for him throughout the region. He does so to great effect. After Jesus freed the man, the locals insist Jesus return to the boat and His side of the Sea. Sometime later, when Jesus returns to the area, He is so welcomed that four thousand people come to hear Him speak (Mark 7:31—8:10).

Luke 8:26–39 records a man's rescue from a legion of demons. This comes just as Jesus has saved the disciples from chaos and nature. The rescued man believes, having seen the light and heard the message (Luke 8:15–18). The townspeople don't listen and are filled with fear. When the once-chained man begs to stay with Jesus, Jesus instead commissions him to spread the good news he has heard and experienced, becoming the apostle to the entire district. Next, Jesus shows His power over sickness and death (Luke 8:40–56) before imbuing that power to His disciples (Luke 9:1–6). Mark also records Jesus' power over Legion while Matthew notes there were two possessed men (Matthew 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20).

Luke 8 includes portions of three sections of Jesus' Galilean Ministry. The women who support Jesus' ministry bridge the faithful outcasts of chapter 7 to the sower who spreads the news of God's kingdom (Luke 8:1–3). Luke 8:4–18 includes the parables of the sower and the lamp under the jar. These illustrate the importance of hearing Jesus' message with a mind to believe and obey. Luke 8:19–56 presents different faith reactions when Jesus' life, power, and authority elicit questions about His identity.

This passage continues Luke's pattern in the account of Jesus' Galilean ministry: alternating calls to discipleship with stories that describe the discipleship He expects. In Luke 6:17, Jesus transitioned from calling and training the Twelve to a more general call; in Luke 7, Jesus interacted specifically with those with less privilege in society. Chapter 8 reveals how people react when Jesus reveals who He is, mostly through miracles. In Luke 9:18–50, Jesus returns to intense discipleship of the Twelve to give them courage and faith, preparing them for the journey to Jerusalem and what they will witness there.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.