16. The location of Gadara (pronounced Gad´-ara) was at the present Um Keis, where the ruins are extensive and four fine springs exist. Um Keis is seven miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, upon the level surface of a steep hill. It is thought that the term Gadarenes referred to the general region of which Gadara was the capital, and Gergesenes to the town of Gergesa, on the lake, where the miracle occurred, and which belonged to the district of the Gadarenes.
Gadara is first mentioned in secular history when captured by Antiochus the Great, B. C. 218. It was taken by the Jews twenty years afterwards, but destroyed during their civil wars, and rebuilt by Pompey to please his freedman, who was a Gadarene. When the proconsul of Syria, Gabinius, changed the constitution of Judæa, dividing it into five districts having governing councils, Gadara was made the seat of one of these councils, and became a chief city or capital of the country around.
It is probable that Gergesa is properly identified in the ruin Kersa on the east shore of the Lake of Gennesaret, almost equi-distant from the north andthe south ends. It was once surrounded by a wall, the ruins of which still remain. Just south of it the hills come down very precipitously into the water, as they do in no other place on the shore, Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26; Matt. 8:28.
17. Capernaum. The feast given to our Lord by Levi, who is also called Matthew, takes place at this time, Matt. 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 5:29.
The raising of Jairus’ daughter, and the healing of the woman who touched the hem of his garment, Matt. 9:20; Mark 5:25; Luke 8:43.
Two blind men and a dumb man healed, Matt. 9:27.
18. Nazareth. Christ appears here, but is rejected the second time, Matt. 13:54; Mark 6:1. The first time was soon after his baptism, Luke 4:16.
Galilee. Jesus makes with his disciples a third circuit through Galilee, Matt. 9:35; Mark 6:6. The passage in Luke 13:22 gives quite another circuit on his final journey towards Jerusalem, which took place probably the following year.
Jesus sends out the twelve, two by two, Matt. 10:1, 5; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1.
Herod (Antipas), who had slain John the Baptist, hears of Jesus, and supposes that John has risen, Matt. 14:1; Mark 6:14; Luke 9:7.