GADARA: (Mark 5:1).

Situated 6 miles southeast of the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. It is the place of the account of the demoniac(s), Legion, and the drowning of the pigs. (Mt 8:28; Mk 5:1, Lk 8:26, 37) The name is confusing Matthew calls it Gadarenes, and Mark and Luke call it Gerasenes, but the reference is to the same place. Gadara was a small city in the area. Topographical maps show hills along the southeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee which agrees with the steep embankment where the pigs precipiced to their deaths. Reference to pigs in Palestine is awkward for Bible students who are unfamiliar with the Provinces of Palestine at the time of Christ. East of the Sea of Galilee was the Province of Decapolis, which was Gentile, not Jewish. Gadara

The capital of the Roman province of a Peraea. It stood on the summit of a mountain about 6 miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee. Mark (5:1) and Luke (8:26-39) describe the miracle of the healing of the demoniac (Matthew [8:28-34] says two demoniacs) as having been wrought "in the country of the Gadarenes," thus describing the scene generally. The miracle could not have been wrought at Gadara itself, for between the lake and this town there is the deep, almost impassable ravine of the Hieromax (Jarmuk).

It is identified with the modern village of Um-Keis, which is surrounded by very extensive ruins, all bearing testimony to the splendour of ancient Gadara. "The most interesting remains of Gadara are its tombs, which dot the cliffs for a considerable distance round the city, chiefly on the north-east declivity; but many beautifully sculptured sarcophagi are scattered over the surrounding heights. They are excavated in the limestone rock, and consist of chambers of various dimensions, some more than 20 feet square, with recesses in the sides for bodies......The present inhabitants of Um-Keis are all troglodytes, dwelling in tombs, like the poor maniacs of old, and occasionally they are almost as dangerous to unprotected travellers."

Gadarenes

The inhabitants of Gadara, in Revised Version "Gerasenes" (Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26, 37). In Matt. 8:28 they are called Gergesenes, Revised Version "Gadarenes."