Decapolis

The Decapolis is the region of ten cities lying east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. UPDV mentions it twice in Mark — once as the place where the healed Gerasene becomes Jesus' first regional witness, and once as territory on Jesus' route back from Tyre and Sidon.

The Gerasene's witness in the Decapolis

After the demoniac is restored to his right mind on the eastern shore, Jesus refuses his request to follow and commissions him as a witness in his own country: "And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him: and all men marveled" (Mr 5:20). The man's testimony reaches a Gentile region the disciples have not yet entered, and the response is region-wide astonishment.

Through the borders of Decapolis

When Jesus returns from the Phoenician coast he takes a route that brings him along Decapolis territory: "And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the middle of the borders of Decapolis" (Mr 7:31). The geography sets the scene for the deaf-and-mute man brought to him next, and locates that healing on the same eastern, mostly-Gentile side of the lake where the Gerasene has been preaching.