Γερασηνός (Gerasēnos)
Gerasēnos
Gerasene
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective Gerasēnos identifies a resident of Gerasa, a city located roughly thirty miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee. In the narrative accounts of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man, this term appears in Mark 5:1 and Luke 8:26, 37 to describe the local population that witnessed the event.
Textual variations exist across manuscripts, with some reading Gergesene or Gadarene instead. These differences likely reflect ancient scribes attempting to reconcile the geographical distance between the lake and the inland city of Gerasa with the story’s setting on the eastern shore. Despite these minor spelling shifts, the word consistently points to the people from that specific region who observed the miracle.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Gerasene points us to a specific place where ordinary people encountered the extraordinary power of Jesus. In the Gospels, we read about a man possessed by demons who was healed near the Sea of Galilee. The residents of that region, identified as Gerasenes or those from the surrounding Gadarene area, witnessed this transformation firsthand. Their story reminds us that God’s grace often reaches people in their own communities, breaking through fear and isolation.
When we face situations that seem beyond repair, like the man who lived among tombs, we can look to these witnesses. They saw a broken life made whole and responded with awe, even if it frightened them at first. This word invites us to consider how our own communities might be touched by faith when we share what God has done for us. It is a call to let our lives reflect the same hope that changed theirs.
Though manuscript variations exist regarding the exact city name, the core message remains clear: Jesus brings freedom where there was bondage. Whether you are in a bustling town or a quiet village, your story matters. May we be open to seeing God work in unexpected places, trusting that His light can dispel even the deepest darkness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gerasenes2×
- Gerasenes.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Γερασηνῶν2×
- Γερασηνῶν.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 5:1
They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
This verse sets the geographical stage for the healing, identifying the location as the country of the Gadarenes where Jesus arrived.
-
Luke 8:26
Then they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.
Here Luke confirms the arrival at the Gadarene region, highlighting the specific audience who would witness the miracle.
-
Luke 8:37
All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. Then he entered into the boat and returned.
This verse captures the reaction of the surrounding people, showing how fear and awe often accompany encounters with divine power.