Q&A 1758—Where was Legion exorcized? Gerasa, Gadara, or Gergesa?

Where did Jesus heal Legion, the demoniac? Was it in Gerasa, Gadara, or Gergesa? The gospels seem to give different locations. Are these maybe just different names for the same place?

Actually these are three separate places. While I don’t doubt that the original manuscripts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were correct, some later copyists, perhaps unfamiliar with the geography, were confused.

In some manuscripts (MSS), Matthew has the exorcism taking place in the region of the Gergesenes (Matt 8:28). Other MSS of Matt have Gadarenes or Gerasenes—or even "Gazarenes". The Gergesenes was championed by the scholar Origen (185-254 AD), and corresponds to the ruins at Kursi, situated directly on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This it seems to me is the correct location. Excavations have revealed a Roman bathhouse, ceramics, and coins, demonstrating a Roman-era presence in the vicinity prior to the building of later Christian structures. However, what's missing is evidence of early Roman-period occupation. There is also some controversy over the actual presence of first-century Roman-period tombs.

First-century Roman artifacts and evidence of a smaller settlement have been documented in the area. MSS of Mark and Luke locate the event in the region of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26)—although some MSS of each have Gadarenes or Gergesenes—or even "Gergystenes." Yet Gerasa (Jerash in modern Jordan) is 30 miles from sea! Gadara is 5 miles from the Sea of Galilee (in modern Jordan)—although its territory extended to the lakeshore, with a harbor for its fishing industry, and with several steep inclines, so that is not an unreasonable guess.

Fortunately, the exact location is not important for understanding the story. As Christians, we are not required to believe that every MS copy was perfect—only that the message has been adequately preserved.

So: Gerasa—unlikely. Gadara—possible. Gergesa—more likely.

For more on Gadara and Gerasa, see David A. deSilva, Archaeology and the World of Jesus: A Visual Guide (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2025), 104-116. For a consideration of all three locations consult the Wartburg Project. For a more informal article, see the piece in Biblical Historical Context.