Mark 7:31

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} again {G3825}, departing {G1831} from {G1537} the coasts {G3725} of Tyre {G5184} and {G2532} Sidon {G4605}, he came {G2064} unto {G4314} the sea {G2281} of Galilee {G1056}, through {G303} the midst {G3319} of the coasts {G3725} of Decapolis {G1179}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he left the district of Tzor and went through Tzidon to Lake Kinneret and on to the region of the Ten Towns.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus left the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.

American Standard Version

And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 7:31 details Jesus' circuitous journey from the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon, through the predominantly non-Jewish territory of Decapolis, to the Sea of Galilee. This geographical movement is not merely a travelogue but a significant transitional passage, underscoring Jesus' expansive ministry beyond traditional Jewish boundaries and setting the stage for further displays of His divine power and compassion among diverse populations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' significant encounter with the Syrophoenician woman in the region of Tyre and Sidon ([Mark 7:24-30](/mark/7-24-30 "Mark 7:24-30 - The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith")). In that narrative, Jesus demonstrates His willingness to extend grace and healing to a Gentile woman, foreshadowing the broader scope of His mission. Mark 7:31 then describes a deliberate and circuitous journey, not a direct return to Galilee. This strategic movement leads directly into the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment in the Decapolis region ([Mark 7:32-37](/mark/7-32-37 "Mark 7:32-37 - Healing the Deaf Man in Decapolis")), further emphasizing Jesus' compassion and power operating outside Jewish territories. The geographical progression highlights Mark's theme of Jesus' universal authority and the breaking down of barriers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician cities on the Mediterranean coast, predominantly Gentile territories known for their trade and Hellenistic culture. Decapolis, meaning "ten cities," was a league of ten largely autonomous Greco-Roman cities, primarily east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. These cities were centers of Hellenistic culture, populated mainly by Gentiles, and distinct from the Jewish heartland of Galilee. Jesus' deliberate passage through these regions, rather than a more direct route through Jewish areas, signifies His intentional engagement with non-Jewish populations. This movement challenged the prevailing Jewish exclusivism of the time and demonstrated God's redemptive plan extending to all peoples, a radical concept for many of His contemporaries.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights Jesus' **expansive ministry**, demonstrating His mission to reach beyond the confines of Israel to include Gentiles. His presence in regions like [Tyre and Sidon](/mark/7-24 "Mark 7:24 - Jesus in Tyre and Sidon") and [Decapolis](/mark/7-31 "Mark 7:31 - Jesus' Journey through Decapolis") underscores the universal scope of His message and power, a principle that anticipates the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). Secondly, Jesus' **strategic movement** through Decapolis suggests a deliberate effort to sow seeds of the Kingdom in areas less exposed to His direct ministry, preparing the ground for future evangelism. Finally, this geographical setting serves as **preparation for miracles**, particularly the healing of the deaf man, emphasizing that Jesus' healing power transcends ethnic and religious boundaries, extending God's mercy to all who seek it, regardless of their background.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **departing (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** This word (G1831) signifies "to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad." In this context, it emphasizes Jesus' active movement away from one region to another, indicating a purposeful shift in His ministry's geographical focus. It's not a mere withdrawal but a strategic relocation.
* **coasts (Greek, _hórion'_):** Derived from a word meaning "a bound or limit," _hórion_ (G3725) refers to "a boundary-line, i.e. (by implication) a frontier (region):--border, coast." The KJV's "coasts" here should be understood not just as the immediate shoreline but as the broader territories or regions of Tyre, Sidon, and Decapolis, emphasizing that Jesus was moving through these distinct geographical and cultural areas.
* **Decapolis (Greek, _Dekápolis'_):** This term (G1179) literally means "the ten-city region." It refers to a league of primarily Greek-speaking cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman province of Syria. Jesus' deliberate entry into this area highlights His engagement with a predominantly Gentile, Hellenistic population, signifying a ministry that transcends ethnic and religious divides.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon,"**: This clause establishes Jesus' starting point and the continuation of His ministry after His encounter with the Syrophoenician woman. The phrase "and again" indicates a resumption of His active movement, while "departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon" signifies His intentional exit from these specific Gentile territories.
* **"he came unto the sea of Galilee,"**: This indicates His ultimate destination, the familiar Jewish region where much of His earlier ministry had taken place. However, the route taken to reach it is significant, not the most direct path.
* **"through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis."**: This crucial phrase describes the indirect and deliberate route Jesus took. Passing "through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis" means He traveled through the heart of this Gentile region, emphasizing His direct engagement with its inhabitants and further demonstrating His expansive mission beyond Israel's borders.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs **Geographical Progression** as a key literary device in this verse. The detailed description of Jesus' journey—from Tyre and Sidon, through Decapolis, to the Sea of Galilee—is not arbitrary. It meticulously charts His movement into and through Gentile territories, underscoring the expansion of His ministry. This deliberate itinerary also serves as **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for the subsequent healing of the deaf man in Decapolis and reinforcing the theme of God's universal redemptive plan. The very mention of "Decapolis" itself functions as a form of **Symbolism**, representing the broader Gentile world that Jesus is intentionally engaging, breaking down the perceived barriers between Jew and Gentile.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:31 is a powerful testament to the expansive and inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' deliberate journey through Gentile territories like Tyre, Sidon, and Decapolis underscores that His mission was never intended to be confined to the Jewish people alone. This geographical movement embodies the theological truth that God's love and saving grace extend to all humanity, regardless of their ethnic, cultural, or religious background. It prefigures the New Covenant reality where the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile is broken down, and all who believe are united in Christ. This passage challenges any narrow understanding of God's kingdom, revealing a God who actively seeks out and ministers to those considered "outsiders."
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles")
* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality")
* [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:31 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that the mission of God, as exemplified by Jesus, transcends all human-made boundaries. Just as Jesus intentionally ventured into Gentile regions to minister, we are called to move beyond our comfort zones and familiar circles to share the transformative message of the Gospel. This means actively seeking out and engaging with individuals and communities that may be culturally, socially, or religiously different from our own. It challenges us to dismantle any internal or external "coasts" that limit our compassion and outreach, embracing a holistic understanding of God's love for all people. Our faith should propel us to cross perceived divides, demonstrating the inclusive nature of the Kingdom of God through our words, actions, and genuine relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where are the "Tyre and Sidon" or "Decapolis" regions in my own life or community—places or people groups I tend to avoid or overlook in my outreach?**
* **How can I intentionally step out of my spiritual or social comfort zone to demonstrate God's love to those who are different from me?**
* **What barriers, whether cultural, social, or personal, might I need to overcome to participate more fully in God's expansive mission?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus take such a circuitous route through Decapolis instead of returning directly to Galilee?**

Answer: Jesus' journey through the region of [Decapolis](/mark/7-31 "Mark 7:31 - Jesus' Journey through Decapolis") was highly intentional and not merely a geographical convenience. After ministering in Tyre and Sidon, His decision to travel through this predominantly Gentile territory, rather than taking a more direct route through Jewish areas, underscores His expansive mission. It allowed Him to continue His outreach to non-Jewish populations, demonstrating that His message and healing power were for all people, not exclusively for Israel. This strategic movement also set the stage for subsequent miracles, such as the healing of the deaf man, further revealing God's compassion for those outside traditional Jewish society. It was a deliberate act of universal outreach, preparing the ground for the future spread of the Gospel to the nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:31, depicting Jesus' deliberate journey through Gentile territories, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in His identity as the universal Savior and the ultimate bridge between God and all humanity. This geographical movement is a living parable of the New Covenant, where the ancient promises to Abraham—that through his seed "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant"))—are realized in Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, actively breaks down the "middle wall of partition" between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall")) by entering and ministering in regions like Decapolis. His presence among these "outsiders" foreshadows the Great Commission, where His disciples are commanded to "go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" ([Mark 16:15](/mark/16-15 "Mark 16:15 - The Great Commission")). Ultimately, Jesus' journey in Mark 7:31 reveals Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), whose redemptive work is not limited by ethnicity or geography, but extends to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, drawing all to Himself ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb's Worthiness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Matthew 15:29

¶ And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

Matthew 15:31

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

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.

Mark 7:24

¶ And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know [it]: but he could not be hid.

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.

Matthew 4:18

¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.