A city in Perea, east of the Jordan and southeast of the Sea of Galilee; one of the cities of the Decapolis. Jesus cast out many demons from a man while in the region near there (Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39).
About Gerasa
A city and area in the Decapolis. Gerasa was a well-known Roman city located in the hills of the Transjordan. The Transjordan is the region east of the Jordan River. It is about 56 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of the Sea of Galilee and 31 kilometers (19 miles) east of the Jordan River.
It was first built as a Greek city by Alexander the Great around 333 BC. In 85 BC, the Jewish king Alexander Janneus captured the city. The Jews ruled Gerasa until Pompey captured the city in 63 BC. Under Roman control, it was added to the province of Syria and later included in the Decapolis. Today the site of Gerasa is the modern city of Jerash.
Key References
All Scripture References (4)
Matthew (1)
When Jesus arrived on the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, He was met by two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.
Mark (1)
On the other side of the sea, they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes.