Luke 8 26

Luke 8:26 kjv

And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

Luke 8:26 nkjv

Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.

Luke 8:26 niv

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.

Luke 8:26 esv

Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

Luke 8:26 nlt

So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 26 Meaning

This verse states the geographical destination of Jesus and His disciples after crossing the Sea of Galilee: the region of the Gadarenes, located on the eastern side, directly opposite Jewish Galilee. It serves as a concise geographical and contextual setting, immediately preceding Jesus' powerful encounter with the demoniac.

Luke 8 26 Context

Luke 8:26 immediately follows Jesus' calming of a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee, a demonstration of His divine authority over creation. This miraculous event (Luke 8:22-25) precedes their arrival in Gadarene territory, setting the stage for an equally profound display of authority over spiritual forces. The geographical setting, the eastern shore, signified entering a Gentile (non-Jewish) region, largely comprised of the Roman Decapolis cities, distinct from the Jewish region of Galilee on the western shore. This journey to Gadarene territory underscores Jesus' expanding mission, signaling His redemptive reach beyond the conventional boundaries of Israel and His deliberate encounter with extreme spiritual darkness in a pagan land. Historically, the area was populated by Greeks and Syrians, evident by the presence of large herds of pigs, which were unclean animals to Jews, confirming the non-Jewish character of the region.

Luke 8 26 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): A common Greek conjunction, acting here as a connective to the preceding narrative (calming of the storm), establishing a continuous flow of events. It implies that their arrival was a direct consequence of their crossing the sea.
• they sailed down (κατέπλευσαν - katepleusan): Formed from kata (down) and pleō (to sail). "Down" can refer to disembarking or sailing to a particular destination. Given the context, it emphasizes their specific arrival by boat on the far shore, often implying a definite completion of a sea journey to a specific land point.
• to the country (εἰς τὴν χώραν - eis tēn chōran):
  • εἰς (eis): Into, to, implying movement towards or entry into.
  • χώραν (chōran): This term is significant, meaning "country," "region," or "district," rather than a specific city. This generality helps reconcile the apparent geographical variations (Gadara, Gerasa, Gergesa) found in parallel Gospel accounts. It suggests a broader area associated with Gadara, the administrative center.
• of the Gadarenes (τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν - tōn Gadarenōn): Referring to the inhabitants or the region associated with the city of Gadara, a prominent Hellenistic city in the Decapolis. This explicitly designates the area as predominantly Gentile. The term signals the cultural and religious difference from Jewish Galilee, setting up the impending encounter with unclean spirits in an unclean (from a Jewish perspective) land, where pig herding was common.
• which is (ἥτις ἐστὶν - hētis estin): "Which it is" or "which is situated." This phrase serves to clearly define and qualify the location being described, adding specificity to the "country of the Gadarenes."
• over against (ἀντιπέρα - antipera): A strong adverb meaning "opposite," "over against," or "on the other side." It unequivocally marks the geographical position of this region as directly across the Sea of Galilee from where Jesus and His disciples typically operated in Jewish Galilee, confirming their venture into non-Jewish territory.
• Galilee (Γαλιλαίας - Galilaias): The primary region of Jesus' ministry on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, predominantly Jewish. This juxtaposition highlights the intentional movement from Jewish land to Gentile territory, emphasizing the universal scope of Jesus' mission.

• "And they sailed down to the country of the Gadarenes": This phrase marks the successful completion of the sea voyage despite the storm, leading them directly to a non-Jewish, Hellenistic area. It signifies Jesus' intentional foray beyond traditional Jewish boundaries, illustrating His kingdom message is for all people.
• "which is over against Galilee": This spatial description explicitly clarifies the location, emphasizing its 'otherness' from their usual base of operations. This geographical distinction sets a theological tone, suggesting the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile through Christ's ministry. It prefigures the Great Commission where the Gospel would spread "to the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Luke 8 26 Bonus section

• The region's name discrepancy (Gadarenes in Luke and Mark, Gergesenes in Matthew) points to the fact that ancient regional boundaries and place names were not always rigid. "Gadarenes" likely refers to the wider region governed by the Hellenistic city of Gadara, while "Gergesa" (possibly modern Kursi) might have been the precise village on the lake's eastern shore where the miracle occurred. Matthew's account, focusing on specific detail, might name the actual location of the event, whereas Mark and Luke refer to the larger administrative district.
• Jesus' choice to cross to this specific region underscores His initiative in reaching those who were outcast and culturally 'unclean' from a Jewish perspective. The very presence of large swine herds in this region confirms its Gentile identity and signals a confrontation between the pure power of Christ and the forces of darkness entrenched in pagan idolatry.
• This journey foreshadows the later Apostolic mission to the Gentiles, preparing the disciples by demonstrating the breadth and depth of God's redemptive plan through Jesus.

Luke 8 26 Commentary

Luke 8:26, though a seemingly simple geographical verse, is profound in its implications. It acts as a critical scene-setter, establishing the transition from a display of Jesus' power over nature to an immediate confrontation with entrenched spiritual darkness in a Gentile context. By venturing "to the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee," Jesus deliberately crossed both physical and spiritual boundaries. This move was a tangible expression of His universal mission, revealing that the Gospel's reach extends beyond Israel's chosen people to those living under pagan influence and severe demonic oppression. The precise location also hints at the significant cultural and religious differences, providing a necessary backdrop for the dramatic exorcism that follows and demonstrating Christ's unparalleled authority over every sphere.