Mark 7 31

Mark 7:31 kjv

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.

Mark 7:31 nkjv

Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.

Mark 7:31 niv

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.

Mark 7:31 esv

Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.

Mark 7:31 nlt

Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns.

Mark 7 verses

Mark 7 31 Meaning

Mark 7:31 describes Jesus' purposeful geographical movement after His encounter with the Syrophoenician woman. He departs from the Phoenician coasts of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territories, and takes a circuitous route through the region of Decapolis, which was primarily Gentile and Hellenistic, eventually arriving at the Sea of Galilee. This itinerary highlights Jesus' intentional engagement with and outreach to non-Jewish peoples, immediately following His teaching on inner purity and challenging the restrictive traditions of the Pharisees. It signifies a widening scope of His redemptive mission, extending divine grace beyond the geographical and ethnic boundaries typically associated with His primary ministry in Galilee.

Mark 7 31 Context

Mark 7 begins with Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes over ritual purity and the traditions of men, which He contrasts sharply with the true defilement that comes from within a person's heart. After this significant teaching, which radically redefines purity, Jesus withdraws to the Gentile territory of Tyre. There, He has a profound interaction with a Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30), demonstrating His grace and power extending to those outside of Israel's covenant. Verse 31 describes Jesus' departure from this Gentile region, not returning directly to Galilee, but embarking on a circuitous journey through the thoroughly Gentile region of Decapolis before arriving at the Sea of Galilee. This deliberate itinerary signifies Jesus' practical application of His teaching on universal accessibility to God's grace, physically traversing lands populated by non-Jews. His presence in and through these Gentile areas foreshadows the broader reach of the Gospel message and immediately precedes further healings and the feeding of the four thousand, likely to a predominantly Gentile crowd in that area, solidifying the theme of an inclusive mission.

Mark 7 31 Word Analysis

• And again (Greek: kai palin): This phrase signals a new stage or development in Jesus' journey. It indicates continuation but also a distinct shift from the immediate past events in Tyre. It is Mark's common literary device to transition narratives.

• departing (Greek: exelthon, from exerchomai): Meaning "having gone out" or "departed from." This is a strong verb indicating a deliberate, active movement away from a place. It's not a casual leaving but a strategic withdrawal.

• from the coasts of (Greek: apo ton horion): The term horion refers to "boundaries" or "regions" of a place. This emphasizes that Jesus left the entire administrative and geographical territory associated with Tyre and Sidon, signifying a full departure from Gentile Phoenicia.

• Tyre and Sidon: Ancient Phoenician port cities, famous for trade, wealth, and known for their idolatrous worship. They were unequivocally Gentile lands. Jesus’ presence and ministry there signify His grace reaching beyond traditional Jewish boundaries.

• he came (Greek: elthen, from erchomai): An aorist active indicative verb, meaning "he came" or "he went." It denotes a completed action, emphasizing His arrival at the destination.

• unto the sea of Galilee (Greek: pros ten thalassan tes Galilaias): This is the large freshwater lake in northern Israel, the focal point for much of Jesus' Galilean ministry. Returning here brings Him back to a region with significant Jewish populations, though it was still diverse.

• through the midst of the coasts of (Greek: dia meson ton horion): The phrase dia meson means "through the middle" or "in the midst of." It stresses that Jesus passed through the core territories of Decapolis, not just skirting their edges. This underlines His direct engagement with this Gentile region.

• Decapolis: A confederation of ten (Greek: deka) independent, largely Hellenized cities (polis), mostly east of the Jordan River. They were cultural outposts of Greek and Roman influence, predominantly Gentile in population and customs. Jesus’ direct journey through this area highlights His expansive mission field and disregard for ethnic divisions.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.": This entire phrase delineates a deliberate and extensive circuit. Rather than taking a direct southerly route back to Galilee from Tyre/Sidon, Jesus intentionally journeys eastward into and through the heart of Decapolis (east of the Sea of Galilee) before reaching the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee. This longer, less direct path through Gentile territory powerfully illustrates Jesus' expanded mission and proactive reach toward the "lost sheep" among the Gentiles. It is a strategic itineration showcasing the universality of the Gospel, not a casual travel choice.

Mark 7 31 Bonus Section

• Mark, writing likely to a Gentile audience (perhaps in Rome), intentionally emphasizes Jesus' interactions with non-Jews. This verse, with its detailed Gentile geography, would resonate strongly with his readers, demonstrating Christ's authority and compassion extend beyond Israel.
• The previous healing of the demoniac in Gerasa (Mark 5:1-20), which was a Decapolis city, resulted in the man proclaiming Jesus throughout that region. This earlier event may have prepared the way for Jesus' reception during this specific journey through Decapolis.
• The Sea of Galilee acted as a boundary and a bridge between Jewish and Gentile regions. Arriving at its eastern side via Decapolis, Jesus was positioned to minister to mixed or Gentile crowds before likely crossing over to predominantly Jewish areas later.
• This physical journey through Gentile lands illustrates God's unfolding plan of redemption for "all nations," fulfilling Old Testament prophecies concerning Gentile inclusion into God's salvation plan.

Mark 7 31 Commentary

Mark 7:31 captures a significant shift in Jesus' ministry journey, demonstrating the practical outworking of His radical teaching on inward purity over external ritual. His intentional movement from the deeply Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon, not directly back into central Galilee, but via the culturally distinct and predominantly Gentile Decapolis, underscores the universality of God's grace. This journey is more than just geography; it's theology in action. By traversing these Hellenized lands, Jesus validates His earlier declaration that true defilement comes from within and not from external associations or ceremonial uncleanness, even when interacting with non-Jews. This deliberate outreach foreshadows the Great Commission, showing Christ's compassionate pursuit of all humanity, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries established by human traditions. This sets the stage for the subsequent miraculous healings and the feeding of the 4,000, events that cement the theme of His broad-reaching, inclusive ministry.