The Decapolis refers to a group of ten cities that were located in the eastern region of the Roman Empire during the time of Jesus. These cities were tied together by culture, language, and politics. The Decapolis region was first established following the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. After his death, the region came under the control of different successors before becoming part of the Roman Empire in 63 BC.
The ten cities that made up the Decapolis were:
- Damascus
- Philadelphia (modern day Amman, Jordan)
- Raphana (abandoned city in Jordan)
- Scythopolis (modern day Beit She’an, Israel)
- Gadara (modern day Umm Qais, Jordan)
- Hippos (modern day Susita, Israel)
- Dion (exact location unknown)
- Pella (modern day Tabaqat Fahl, Jordan)
- Gerasa (modern day Jerash, Jordan)
- Canatha (modern day Qanawat, Syria)
The Decapolis region was located to the east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. The cities were centers of Greek and Roman culture in an area that was otherwise populated by Semitic people. They were tied together by language, culture, political institutions, and economic interests.
The Decapolis region is significant in the Bible because Jesus conducted important ministry in the area:
Jesus healed and ministered to Gentiles
The Decapolis cities were Gentile areas, not Jewish. By traveling to and ministering in the Decapolis, Jesus extended his ministry beyond the Jews. Several healing miracles took place in the Decapolis showing that Jesus came to save both Jews and Gentiles.
After Jesus cast out demons from a man in the region of Gerasenes, the man wanted to follow Jesus. But Jesus told him, “‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:38-39 ESV)
This Gentile man then spread the news of his healing throughout the primarily Gentile city. Jesus intentionally sent the man here to be a witness to the Gentiles.
Jesus showed compassion to outcasts
Another famous healing miracle happened in the Decapolis – the healing of the deaf and mute man in Mark 7:31-37. Jesus had traveled to the region of Decapolis after a previous confrontation with the religious leaders in Galilee. The text says people brought Jesus a man who was deaf and could hardly speak, begging Jesus to place his hands on him (Mark 7:32).
Jesus takes the man away from the crowd, puts his fingers in his ears, touches his tongue, looks to heaven, and commands “Be opened!” (Mark 7:33-34). Instantly the man could hear and speak plainly. Jesus ordered the people not to tell anyone, but they disobeyed and spread the news throughout the whole region (Mark 7:36).
This showed Jesus’ compassion to people considered outcasts because of their disabilities. It also revealed Jesus’ miraculous healing power to the Gentile cities.
Jesus fed the four thousand in the Decapolis
After another dispute with the Pharisees and religious leaders, Jesus and his disciples traveled to the Decapolis region. A large crowd gathered, following them, and Jesus had compassion on them (Mark 8:1-3). This crowd of four thousand people had been with Jesus for three days with nothing to eat. Jesus multiplied seven loaves of bread and a few small fish to feed the entire multitude, with baskets full of food left over (Mark 8:5-9).
This miracle in the Decapolis recalls Jesus’ earlier feeding of the five thousand on the other side of the Sea of Galilee in Jewish territory (Mark 6:30-44). Jesus performed similar miracles on both sides of the sea, showing he came to be the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles.
Jesus commissioned the disciples in the region
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples in Jerusalem and Galilee. At the very end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives his Great Commission to his followers: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
Most scholars believe Jesus gave this commission on a mountain in the region of Galilee just a short distance from the cities of the Decapolis. Jesus strategically commissioned his disciples to spread the gospel to all nations – both Jews and Gentiles – from a location near where he had already modeled ministry to Gentiles.
Summary of the significance of Decapolis in the Bible
In summary, the Decapolis region was significant in Jesus’ ministry for the following reasons:
- Jesus healed and ministered to Gentiles there, showing his salvation was for all people.
- Jesus showed compassion to disabled outcasts in the Decapolis.
- Jesus miraculously fed thousands in the Gentile region.
- Jesus commissioned his disciples to reach all nations from a location near the Decapolis cities.
The ministry of Jesus in the Decapolis region foreshadowed the spread of the gospel message to all nations after his death and resurrection. Jesus showed people in this predominately Gentile area that he came to be the Savior of the world, not just the Jews. The Decapolis provides important examples of Jesus’ ministry to Gentiles and his compassion for all types of people.
Jesus revealed his identity and purpose not only through his teachings, but also through his miraculous deeds. By healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and drawing crowds in the Decapolis, Jesus demonstrated he was the divine Son of God who came to usher in the kingdom of God on earth. His actions spoke just as loudly as his words. The ministry of Jesus in the Decapolis region provided living demonstrations of the gospel for people to see.
When the disciples were commissioned to take the gospel to all nations, the precedent had already been set through Jesus’ own ministry in places like the Decapolis. Jesus modeled what it looked like to cross cultural and ethnic boundaries with compassion. The disciples could now go out, following the example of Jesus, to reach Samaritans, Romans, Greeks, and all people with the good news of salvation through Christ.
The Decapolis was one of Jesus’ main areas of outreach beyond the Jewish people. His willingness to travel to this predominantly Gentile area shows he truly came to be the Savior of the world. The events that took place in the Decapolis confirmed the inclusive nature of Jesus’ ministry on earth.
As Jesus said to his disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV) The Decapolis represented “the end of the earth” and Jesus made sure the people living there had the opportunity to hear and experience the gospel.
Individual cities of the Decapolis mentioned in the Bible
In addition to understanding the significance of the Decapolis region as a whole, it is also helpful to look briefly at the individual cities that comprised the Decapolis according to the Bible:
Damascus
The Decapolis city closest to Israel. Damascus appears throughout the Old and New Testament. The conversion of Saul/Paul took place on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).
Philadelphia (Amman)
Mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:11-12 as an Ammonite city conquered by David. Philadelphia was later rebuilt and renamed by Ptolemy Philadelphus.
Raphana
An abandoned city in ruins by the first century so little is known about it. Raphana may be the biblical Abel Beth Maacah mentioned in 1 Kings 15:20.
Scythopolis (Beth Shean)
Ancient Scythopolis was known for its Greek theater and temples. The bodies of Saul and his sons were hanged here after being killed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:8-12).
Gadara (Umm Qais)
The location of Jesus’ exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39). The demons entered a herd of pigs after Jesus cast them out of the man.
Hippos (Susita)
Overlooks the Sea of Galilee. Excavations show Hippos was the site of a Greco-Roman city with churches, a monastery, mosaics and other ruins.
Pella (Tabaqat Fahl)
Pella was located in the foothills near the Jordan River. Early Christian refugees fled here before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Gerasa (Jerash)
One of the best preserved Roman cities from the Decapolis. Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha likely passed through the area.
Canatha (Qanawat)
Built on a lava field in Syria. Little is known about Canatha other than its association with the Decapolis league of cities.
Dion’s exact location remains unknown but was included as a city of the Decapolis based on ancient sources.
In conclusion, while these individual cities are interesting historically, the main biblical significance is the Decapolis as a whole region where Jesus conducted important ministry to Gentiles. He revealed himself as Savior of both Jews and Gentiles through his miraculous works and compassion. Jesus modeled a ministry that crossed boundaries to all nations – a model the disciples would follow after his resurrection.