Decapolis – literally “Ten Cities” in Greek; a league of semi-independent Greek cities
next to but not part of first-century Israel.
Here is the traditional list of the cities (from Roman historian Pliny the Elder, NH 5.16.74):
Gerasa – Jerash, in modern Jordan (Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26; 8:37)
Scythopolis – Beth-Shean, in modern Israel, only city west of Jordan River
Hippos (or Hippus?) – Sussita, in modern Israel
Gadara – Umm Qais, in modern Jordan (Matt 8:28)
Pella – West of Irbid, in modern Jordan
Philadelphia – Amman, capital of modern Jordan
Capitolias – Beit Ras, in modern Jordan (Dion)
Canatha (or Konata?) – Qanawat, in modern Syria
Raphana – in modern Jordan
Damascus – capital of ancient & modern Syria
Note: Some other lists include Dion and Abila, in place of Capitolias and Canatha. Others also include Philoterio.
Exactly which cities were included may have changed over time, or the names of some cities may also have changed over the years.
NT Texts:
The name “Decapolis” is not mentioned in the OT, and only three times the NT:
Matt 4:25 – "And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan."
Mark 5:20 – "And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed."
Mark 7:31 – "Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis."
Only three of the cities are mentioned individually in the NT: Gadara, Gerasa, and Damascus:
Matt 8:28 – "When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way."
Mark 5:1 – "They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes."
Luke 8:26 – "Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee."
Luke 8:37 – "Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned."
Damascus – Mentioned 61 times in the NRSV translation of the Bible: 45 times in the OT (esp. Kings & Isaiah); 16 times in the NT (esp. Acts 9, 22, 26; also 2 Cor 11:32; Gal 1:17).
Acts 9:2-3 – and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. / Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
Acts 9:8, 10 – Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. // Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord."
Acts 9:19 – and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus,
Acts 9:22 – Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
Acts 9:27 – But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
Acts 22:5-6 – "as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there in order to bind those who were there and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment. / While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me."
Acts 22:10-11 – "I asked, 'What am I to do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.' / Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took my hand and led me to Damascus."
Acts 26:12 – "With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,"
Acts 26:20 – "but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance."
2 Cor 11:32 – "In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me,"
Gal 1:17 – "nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus."
Damascus – Mentioned 61 times in the NRSV translation of the Bible: 45 times in the OT (esp. Kings & Isaiah); 16 times in the NT (esp. Acts 9, 22, 26; also 2 Cor 11:32; Gal 1:17).
