Mark 7:31
And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
2 of 20
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 20
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁρίων
of the coasts
G3725
ὁρίων
of the coasts
Strong's:
G3725
Word #:
6 of 20
a boundary-line, i.e., (by implication) a frontier (region)
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἦλθεν
he came
G2064
ἦλθεν
he came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
10 of 20
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
G1056
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
Strong's:
G1056
Word #:
15 of 20
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
ἀνὰ
through
G303
ἀνὰ
through
Strong's:
G303
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Mark 5:20And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.Matthew 4:25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.Mark 7:24And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
Historical Context
The Decapolis was a league of ten Greco-Roman cities (63 BC), predominantly Gentile Hellenistic culture centers. That Jesus traveled extensively through Gentile territory demonstrates His mission's universal scope. The religious establishment criticized Him for associating with sinners; ministry among pagans was more scandalous. Yet Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), transcending ethnic and religious boundaries.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's intentional Gentile ministry challenge boundaries you erect regarding who deserves the gospel?
- What does Jesus's circuitous route teach about divine sovereignty in arranging ministry appointments?
- How does earlier testimony preparing the Decapolis illustrate the relationship between faithful witness and gospel receptivity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Departing from Tyre and Sidon, through the Decapolis—Jesus's geographical movements are theologically significant. This circuitous route—through Sidon, then the Decapolis (ten cities), a Gentile region—indicates intentional ministry among Gentiles. The Decapolis was where Jesus healed the Gerasene demoniac who proclaimed what Jesus did (Mark 5:20). Now Jesus returns. Faithful witness prepared soil for fruitful ministry. Jesus's Gentile ministry prefigures the Great Commission—though His earthly mission targeted Israel primarily, He repeatedly ministered to Gentiles, foreshadowing the gospel to all nations (Ephesians 2:14).