Gadarenes(gergesenes)
Summary
Inhabitants of the region on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus healed the demon-possessed man whose demons entered a herd of swine.
☩Location
The Gadarenes inhabited the region east of the Sea of Galilee, associated with the town of Gadara about six miles southeast of the lake. The Gospel accounts use varying terms—Gadarenes, Gergesenes, and Gerasenes—reflecting different manuscript traditions and possibly different ways of identifying the same general region.
☩The Miracle
In this region Jesus encountered one or two demon-possessed men living among the tombs. The demon identified itself as 'Legion' because of the many spirits involved. When Jesus cast them out, the demons entered a herd of swine that rushed down the steep slope into the sea and drowned. Travelers have identified a location with steep terrain descending to the water that matches the Gospel description.