And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

MARK 7:31KJV
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Mark 7:31 (KJV)

What does Mark 7:31 mean?

Mark 7:31 describes Jesus leaving the region around Tyre and Sidon and traveling to the Sea of Galilee by way of the area known as Decapolis. This verse shows Jesus moving through mostly non-Jewish territories before returning to a familiar area where many of his miracles took place.

In this part of Mark, Jesus is traveling with his disciples. The verse highlights his journey through regions with mixed populations, including Gentiles. The mention of Tyre, Sidon, and Decapolis gives a sense of the wide area Jesus covered and sets the stage for the miracles and teachings that follow in the next verses.

The Greek behind Mark 7:31

  • "Δεκάπολις" (Dekapolis): This word refers to a group of ten cities east of the Sea of Galilee, known for their Greek influence and mostly Gentile population. Mentioning Decapolis helps readers understand that Jesus was reaching people outside traditional Jewish areas.
  • "μέσον" (meson): Translated as "midst," this word suggests that Jesus traveled through the heart or central part of these regions, not just skirting the edges. This detail emphasizes the intentional path Jesus took through Gentile territory.

Why Mark 7:31 matters

  • Mark 7:31 shows that Jesus intentionally traveled through Gentile regions, highlighting the broad reach of his ministry beyond just Jewish communities.
  • The verse connects to the surrounding stories where Jesus interacts with non-Jews, underlining a theme in Mark’s Gospel of breaking down barriers between people groups.
  • Mentioning specific places like Tyre, Sidon, and Decapolis helps readers track Jesus’ movements and understand the diverse settings of his ministry.

Where else these words appear

“Decapolis” Greek G1179 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 4:25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
  • Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

“coasts” Greek G3725 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
  • Mark 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

“Tyre” Greek G5184 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Mark 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
  • Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

“Sidon” Greek G4605 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Mark 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
  • Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;