Peraea, also spelled Perea, is a region of significant historical and biblical importance, located east of the Jordan River. It was part of the territory governed by Herod Antipas during the time of Jesus Christ. The name "Peraea" is derived from the Greek word "peran," meaning "beyond," indicating its position beyond the Jordan River from the perspective of Judea and Samaria.

Geographical Context

Peraea stretched from the southern end of the Sea of Galilee down to the northern edge of the Dead Sea. It was bordered by the Jordan River to the west and the Decapolis to the north and east. The region was characterized by its rugged terrain and was less densely populated compared to the western side of the Jordan.

Historical Background

During the Roman period, Peraea was part of the tetrarchy of Herod Antipas, who ruled from 4 BC to AD 39. Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great, was also the ruler of Galilee. Peraea, like Galilee, was predominantly Jewish, although it had a significant Gentile presence due to its proximity to the Decapolis.

Biblical Significance

Peraea holds a notable place in the New Testament narrative. It was a region where Jesus conducted part of His ministry. The Gospels record that Jesus traveled through Peraea on His way to Jerusalem. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read, "When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan" (Matthew 19:1). This passage indicates Jesus' movement into Peraea as He approached the final phase of His earthly ministry.

The region is also associated with the ministry of John the Baptist. John baptized in the Jordan River, which bordered Peraea, and his call to repentance reached many in the surrounding areas, including Peraea. The Gospel of John notes, "This all happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing" (John 1:28), suggesting a location within or near Peraea.

Cultural and Religious Context

Peraea was a melting pot of Jewish and Hellenistic cultures. The Jewish inhabitants of Peraea adhered to the religious customs and laws of Judaism, while the influence of Hellenistic culture was evident due to the proximity of the Decapolis cities. This cultural blend is reflected in the interactions and teachings of Jesus as He ministered in the region.

Key Events and Teachings

Several key events and teachings of Jesus are associated with His time in Peraea. The Gospel of Luke records the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, which Jesus taught to some who were confident in their own righteousness (Luke 18:9-14). This parable, emphasizing humility and repentance, aligns with the themes of John the Baptist's ministry in the region.

Additionally, Peraea is the setting for the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler, as described in the Synoptic Gospels. In this encounter, Jesus challenges the young man to sell his possessions and follow Him, highlighting the cost of discipleship (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23).

Conclusion

Peraea's role in the New Testament underscores its importance as a region where Jesus ministered and taught. Its geographical and cultural context provided a unique backdrop for the unfolding of key events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.PERAEA

pe-re'-a (he Peraia, Peraios, Peraites):

1. The Country:

This is not a Scriptural name, but the term used by Josephus to denote the district to which the rabbis habitually refer as "the land beyond Jordan." This corresponds to the New Testament phrase peran tou Iordanou (Matthew 4:15; Matthew 19:1, etc.). The boundaries of the province are given by Josephus (BJ, III, iii, 3). In length it reached from Pella in the North to Macherus in the South, and in breadth from the Jordan on the West to the desert on the East. We may take it that the southern boundary was the Arnon. The natural boundary on the North would be the great gorge of the Yarmuk. Gadara, Josephus tells us (BJ, IV, vii, 3, 6), was capital of the Peraea. But the famous city on the Yarmuk was a member of the Decapolis, and so could hardly take that position. More probably Josephus referred to a city the ruins of which are found at Jedur-a reminiscence of the ancient name-not far from es-SalT. The northern Gadara then holding the land on the southern bank of the Yarmuk, the northern boundary of the Peraea would run, as Josephus says, from Pella eastward. For the description of the country thus indicated see GILEAD, 2.

In the time of the Maccabees the province was mainly gentile, and Judas found it necessary to remove to Judea the scattered handful of Jews to secure their safety (1 Maccabees 5:45).

2. History:

Possibly under Hyrcanus Jewish influence began to prevail; and before the death of Janneus the whole country owned his sway (HJP, I, i, 297, 306). At the death of Herod the Great it became part of the tetrarchy of Antipas (Ant., XVII, vii, 1). The tetrarch built a city on the site of the ancient Beth-haram (Joshua 13:27) and called it Julias in honor of the emperor's wife (Ant., XVIII, ii, 1; BJ, II, ix 1). Here Simon made his abortive rising (Ant., XVII, x, 6; BJ, II, iv, 2). Claudius placed it under the government of Felix (BJ, II, xii, 8). It was finally added to the Roman dominions by Placidus (BJ, IV, vii, 3-6). Under the Moslems it became part of the province of Damascus.

Peraea, "the land beyond Jordan," ranked along with Judea and Galilee as a province of the land of Israel. The people were under the same laws as regarded tithes, marriage and property.

Peraea lay between two Gentileprovinces on the East, as Samaria between two Jewish provinces on the West of the Jordan. The fords below Beisan and opposite Jericho afforded communication with Galilee and Judea respectively. Peraea thus formed a link connecting the Jewish provinces, so that the pilgrims from any part might go to Jerusalem and return without setting foot on Gentilesoil. And, what was at least of equal importance, they could avoid peril of hurt or indignity which the Samaritans loved to inflict on Jews passing through Samaria (Luke 9:52 f; Ant, XX, vi, 1; Vita, 52).

It seems probable that Jesus was baptized within the boundaries of the Peraea; and hither He came from the turmoil of Jerusalem at the Feast of the Dedication (John 10:40). It was the scene of much quiet and profitable intercourse with His disciples (Matthew 19 Mark 10:1-31 Luke 18:15-30). These passages are by many thought to refer to the period after His retirement to Ephraim (John 11:54). It was from Peraea that He was summoned by the sisters at Bethany (John 11:3).

Peraea furnished in Niger one of the bravest men who fought against the Romans (BJ, II, xx, 4; IV, vi, 1). From Bethezob, a village of Peraea, came Mary, whose story is one of the most appalling among the terrible tales of the siege of Jerusalem (BJ, VI, iii, 4). Josephus mentions Peraea for the last time (BJ, VI, v, 1), as echoing back the doleful groans and outcries that accompanied the destruction of Jerusalem.

W. Ewing

His Decision on the Question of Divorce. --Celibacy. (Matt. , xix,
... CHAPTER XIV. JESUS IN PERAEA (BETHABARA). Section 224. His Decision on the Question
of Divorce."Celibacy. (Matt., xix,. 2-12; Mark, x., 3-12.) ...
/.../section 224 his decision on.htm

The Blessing of Little Children. (Luke, xviii. 15-17; Matt. , xix. ...
... CHAPTER XIV. JESUS IN PERAEA (BETHABARA). Section 225. The Blessing of Little Children.
(Luke, xviii. 15-17; Matt., xix., 13-15; Mark, x., 13-16.). ...
/.../section 225 the blessing of.htm

Christ's Conversation with the Rich Ruler of the Synagogue (Young ...
... CHAPTER XIV. JESUS IN PERAEA (BETHABARA). Section 226. Christ's Conversation
with the rich Ruler of the Synagogue (young man?). ...
/.../section 226 christs conversation with.htm

The Lesson Stories of Jesus.
... It was while the Lord was teaching in the country called Peraea, east of Jordan,
that He told many things that His disciples remembered and wrote in a book ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxx the lesson stories.htm

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... altered his will, and nominated Archelaus his successor in the kingdom; Herod Antipas
(the Herod of the gospels), tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea; and Philip ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... Here the Jordan was forded, and the road led to Gilead, and thence either southwards,
or else north to Peraea, whence the traveller could make his way into ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

Jesus Blesseth Little Children
... of recognized sanctity, were frequently appealed to in a like manner; and his fame
as a prophet and benefactor having preceded him into Peraea, infants were ...
/.../the life of jesus christ for the young/jesus blesseth little children.htm

Christ Blessing the Children.
... He was in the country beyond Jordan, called Peraea, and had been speaking some very
wise words to the Pharisees, and also to His disciples, when some women ...
/.../mother stories from the new testament/christ blessing the children.htm

The Voice that Waked the Dead --The Children of the Kingdom.
... It was spring in Peraea, and the valley of the Jordan was full of the singing of
birds and the color of blooming trees and wild flowers, while in the fields ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxi the voice that.htm

Effects of the Destruction of Jerusalem on the Christian Church.
... Lord's admonition, forsook the doomed city in good time and fled to the town of
Pella in the Decapolis, beyond the Jordan, in the north of Peraea, where king ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 39 effects of the.htm

Peraea
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PERAEA. pe-re ... Yarmuk. Gadara, Josephus tells
us (BJ, IV, vii, 3, 6), was capital of the Peraea. But ...
/p/peraea.htm - 10k

Gadara
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The capital of the Roman province of Peraea. It stood
on the summit of a mountain about 6 miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee. ...
/g/gadara.htm - 12k

Palestine (1 Occurrence)
... the northern boundary of which ran along the hills to the south of the plain of
Esdraelon; (3) Galilee, the northern province; and (4) Peraea (a Greek name ...
/p/palestine.htm - 89k

Herod (45 Occurrences)
... Of these, Philip had the land east of Jordan, between Caesarea Philippi and Bethabara,
Antipas had Galilee and Peraea, while Archelaus had Judea and Samaria. ...
/h/herod.htm - 57k

John (154 Occurrences)
... He was shut up in the castle of Machaerus (qv), a fortress on the southern extremity
of Peraea, 9 miles east of the Dead Sea, and here he was beheaded. ...
/j/john.htm - 101k

Peradventure (35 Occurrences)

/p/peradventure.htm - 18k

Gerasa
... is first mentioned as taken after a siege by Alexander Janneus, 85 BC (BJ, I, iv,
8). Josephus names it as marking the eastern limit of Peraea (BJ, III, iii, 3 ...
/g/gerasa.htm - 10k

Gerasenes (3 Occurrences)
... is first mentioned as taken after a siege by Alexander Janneus, 85 BC (BJ, I, iv,
8). Josephus names it as marking the eastern limit of Peraea (BJ, III, iii, 3 ...
/g/gerasenes.htm - 11k

Rhodes (2 Occurrences)
... received Caria. In 168, however, only a small portion of this territory remained
under Rhodian sway (Peraea, or the Chersonesus). In ...
/r/rhodes.htm - 13k

Decapolis (3 Occurrences)
... region occupied by a league of "ten cities" (Matthew 4:25 Mark 5:20; Mark 7:31),
which Eusebius defines (in Onomastica) as "lying in the Peraea, round Hippos ...
/d/decapolis.htm - 10k

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