Dalmanutha
Summary
A town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, near Magdala, visited by Jesus after feeding the four thousand.
☩Location and Identification
Dalmanutha is mentioned only in Mark's Gospel, where Jesus came 'into the regions of Dalmanutha' after feeding the four thousand. The parallel passage in Matthew refers instead to 'the borders of Magdala' (or Magadan), indicating the two places were in close proximity on the western side of the Sea of Galilee. The site has been tentatively identified with 'Ain el-Barideh ('the cold fountain'), about a mile south of Magdala, where copious springs surrounded by ancient walls and village ruins are found near the beach.
☩Jesus' Visit
Jesus came to Dalmanutha by boat from the eastern shore after miraculously feeding the multitude. Here the Pharisees immediately confronted Him, demanding a sign from heaven to test Him. Jesus, deeply grieved by their hardness of heart, refused to give them a sign and departed again by boat to the other side of the lake. This encounter illustrates the contrast between the receptive crowds whom Jesus had just fed and the hostile religious leaders who remained blind to His true identity.
Related Verses1 mention
Mark· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Dalmanutha," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Dalmanutha," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Dalmanutha," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Dalmanutha," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).