Note 2 at Mk. 3:8: Idumaea is the Greek form of the name of Edom. It is used five times in the scriptures (Isa. 34:5-6; Ezek. 35:15; 36:5; Mk. 3:8). It is clear from the context of Ezekiel 35:15 that Idumaea is the same as Mount Seir, another name for Edom. Edom was another name given to Esau, the son of Isaac, because of the time that Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some red pottage (Gen. 25:30).

The land of Idumaea (also Edom, Mt. Seir) occupies a very mountainous and rugged country about 100 miles long, from the southern part of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Akaba. This includes the famous city of Petra which was carved out of the sandstone cliffs.

Note 3 at Mk. 3:8: The name "Tyre" means "a rock." Tyre is a very ancient city, having existed at least 2,750 years before Christ. It originally was built on the mainland but for better defense was moved to a neighboring rocky island. It was a "strong city" in the time of Joshua (Josh. 19:29) and was on the border of the inheritance of the tribe of Asher although never occupied by Israel. The rulers of the city were friendly with David and Solomon, and they provided some of the materials used in building Solomon's temple (1 Ki. 5:1; 9:11). The people of Tyre were interested, not in war, but in manufacturing, trade, and colonization. In fact, a group of colonists from Tyre founded Carthage around 900 B.C. which later became a rival to Rome. The complete destruction of Tyre was prophesied by Ezekiel (Ezek. 26-28), who called the city "Tyrus." People from Tyre occasionally came to hear Jesus and see His miracles (Lk. 6:17) and Jesus visited their area, also (Mt. 15:21; Mk. 7:24-31).

Tyre remained a rather strong and prosperous city until the 13th century A.D. when it was totally destroyed, fulfilling Ezekiel's prophecy. It has remained mostly in Moslem hands since that time although uninhabited for a good portion of that time. A city still exists in the location in modern times and is called es-S*r.

Note 4 at Mk. 3:8: The name "Sidon" means "a fishery." Sidon was on the seacoast of the Mediterranean about 22 miles north of Tyre and was the northernmost city of the Canaanites. Like Tyre, it was a very ancient city having existed at least 2,750 years before the time of Christ and was mentioned in the writings of Homer.

In the Old Testament, the city was referred to as Zidon and at times was a "thorn in the flesh" to Israel (Jud. 10:12). Ezekiel prophesied against Zidon in Ezekiel 28:21-26 right after he prophesied the destruction of Tyre. Over the centuries, the city was ruled by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Alexander the Great, and, in the time of Jesus, the Romans.

People from Sidon came to Galilee to hear Jesus preaching and to witness His miracles (Lk. 6:17). The area or city was also visited by Jesus (Mt. 15:21; Mk. 7:24,31), but judging from Matthew 11:21, He may not have done any "mighty works" there. The city exists today and is called Saida.