Matthew 8:28

Γαδαρηνῶν. (א* B C &c.), Γεργεσηνῶν (E K L &c.), Γερασηνῶν stated by Origen to be the prevailing reading.

28. Γαδαρηνῶν. The readings vary between Γερασηνῶν, Γαδαρηνῶν and Γεργεσηνῶν in the Synoptic accounts. Gerasa and Gergesa are forms of the same name. Gadara was some distance to the south of the Lake. It was, however, the capital of Peræa, and the more important place; possibly Gergesa was under its jurisdiction. Gergesa is identified with the modern Khersa; in the neighbourhood of which ‘rocks with caves in them very suitable for tombs, a verdant sward with bulbous roots on which the swine might feed’ (Macgregor, Rob Roy), and a steep descent to the verge of the Lake, exactly correspond with the circumstances of the miracle. (See Map.)

ὑπήντησαν. The force of ὑπὸ in this word may be illustrated by ὑποκρίνεσθαι, ‘to answer back,’ ὑπολογίζεσθαι, ‘to reckon on the opposite side’ (per contra), ὑποστρέφειν, ‘to turn in an opposite direction;’ here ὑπαντᾶν is to meet from an opposite direction. ὑπωμοσία and ὑποτιμᾶσθαι are similar instances of the use of ὑπὸ cited by Riddell, Plato, Apol. Socr., Digest. 131.

μνημείων. Tombs hewn out of the mountain-sides formed convenient dwelling-places for the demoniacs.