Decapolis in the new testament
The Decapolis (Greek: Δέκαπολις, Dékapolis) is a region in the New Testament that refers to a group of ten cities located in the eastern part of the Roman province of Syria, near the Sea of Galilee. The Decapolis is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and is associated with the ministry of Jesus Christ.
The ten cities that made up the Decapolis are:
- Abila
- Adraa
- Dium
- Gadara
- Hippos
- Pella
- Philadelphia
- Raphana
- Sussita
- Scythopolis
The Decapolis was a region of significant importance in the ancient world, as it was a major center of trade and commerce. The cities of the Decapolis were known for their wealth and prosperity, and were home to a diverse population of Greeks, Romans, and Jews.
In the New Testament, the Decapolis is mentioned in the following passages:
- Matthew 4:25 - Jesus goes to the Decapolis and preaches the gospel.
- Mark 5:1-20 - Jesus casts out a demon from a man in the Decapolis, and the man is healed.
- Mark 7:31 - Jesus goes to the Decapolis and heals a deaf and mute man.
- Luke 8:26-39 - Jesus casts out a demon from a man in the Decapolis, and the man is healed.
- Luke 10:1-24 - Jesus sends out the Twelve Apostles to preach the gospel, and they go to the Decapolis.
The Decapolis is also mentioned in the book of Acts, where it is referred to as a region where the apostle Philip preached the gospel (Acts 8:40).
The significance of the Decapolis in the New Testament is that it represents a region where Jesus and his disciples preached the gospel to a diverse population of people. The Decapolis was a region of significant importance in the ancient world, and the fact that Jesus and his disciples preached the gospel there demonstrates the universal scope of their mission.