Capernaum to Hippos by boat Decapolis city

Jesus based his ministry in Capernaum, on the northern shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. There were several conservative Jewish communities in this area, including Magdala, Chorazin, and Bethsaida.

Across the lake, midway down the eastern shoreline, was Hippos. Also known as Sussita, this was the closest city of the Decapolis to Capernaum. Jesus and his disciples got into a boat and sailed across the lake to the "other side." There they encountered a man possessed by a demon who soon became a missionary to the entire Decapolis region.

This illustration also works well in the parable Jesus told of a wayward son who went to a "far country." There he squandered his inheritance and worked (and ate) among the pigs. In the parable, the young man did not have to travel a great distance to find a wild lifestyle. He only needed to cross the lake. The good news about the prodigal story? When he came to his senses, he was also close to home.

For more context, watch the video from Day 15 in our Gospel of Mark reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app.