06.03.07 Mt. 4:23-25 (See also Mk. 1:39; Lk. 4:44) Regions of Galilee
JESUS TRAVELS ABOUT
23 Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to Him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And He healed them. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, Jerusalem, Perea, and even into Gentile areas preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God and healing people of every sickness and disease. When He healed, He revealed Himself to be one of the names of God they had used – Jehovah Rapha – our Lord who is our Healer.[1] Now they witnessed Jesus perform miracles they believed only God could do.
“Epileptics.”The Greek word for epileptic is seleniazo (4583), and refers to someone who was moon-struck.[2] It was believed that this disease was caused by or influenced by the moon.
“Decapolis” The term means “ten cities.” This was a loose confederation of ten Greek cities[3] on the eastern side of the Jordan River with the exception of Scythopolis (also known as Beth Shean) which was west of the river. More specifically, it was a term applied to ten administrative districts as the number of cities varied from time to time.[4]
[1]. See “Jesus, the Fulfiller of Selected Names of God” in Appendix 32 for additional attributes.
[2]. Vine, “Epileptic.” Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary. 2:204.
[3]. See “Decapolis” in Appendix 26.
[4]. Pellett, “Decapolis.” 1:810-12.