Many Mysteries of the Bible

Scripture: Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha. Mark 8:9-10

Observation: Jesus has returned to the Decapolis region, fed 4,000 people, and then departs for a place called Dalmanutha. There is only one problem with this story, and it isn't the miracle of the feeding of the multitude. It is ... there is no such place as Dalmanutha.

Jewish and Roman historians generally agree that there was never a town or region in Judea with this name. Other gospels do not mention this place, citing a different place (Magdala) as the place Jesus goes after leaving the Decapolis. However, at least one scholar offers an explanation for this: Dalmanutha may have been the name of a field near Magdala where a battle occurred during the Jewish revolt against Rome. If this is the case, the location may have now been familiar to contemporary readers, though unknown to anyone at the actual time of Jesus or now looking back as a reader of the historical context of the bible.

Application: This is the challenge of understanding God's word ... trying to figure out the significance of certain items and contexts. I can personally come up with six different reasons for Mark referencing a more-or-less nonexistent place at this point in the bible:

1) Where Jesus went didn't matter, so let's not make it a focus by anyone.

2) The battlefield of Dalmanutha was now SO culturally significant to the Jews that it should be confirmed as a location relevant to Jesus.

3) The battlefield of Dalmanutha was relevant to Mark (maybe a family member fought/died there) so he wanted it honored as a place Jesus had been.

4) In narrating this gospel to Mark, Peter - a native of Galilee - knew the area so well that he knew the name of a field as well as the nearby town, so just called the location by the name of the field.

5) Where Jesus did go - Magdala - is the home town of Mary Magdalene, and therefore:
a) Other disciples were jealous of Mary's relevance in the early church so dodged naming her home;
b) Mark acknowledged that Mary was greatly honored and therefore didn't want to detract from the story of Jesus here by calling even more attention to her.

Are ANY of these accurate?? Probably not. They are all totally random guesses without knowledge, context, or education. The point is, the bible can be difficult to study because of elements like this ... variations in text that occur when interpreting any ancient writing.

This is why, for me at least, reading the bible should not be a study, but a conversation with God. I must allow the Lord to simply reveal to me what he would like to say to me. Today, he is likely telling me, "quit trying to Google strange place-names and just listen to me!"

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your reminder today that my understanding of you is not is research, but in relationship. May I listen to your guidance, teaching, and loving support. Amen.