Out of Israel- 7:31

Again specifically states the 'vicinity' or 'region' of Tyre- which he leaves and goes further north 'through' the city of Sidon. Perhaps 30 km at a rough guess from a smallish map. It does look like a 'breathing space' trip. Sidon was another port city of Phoenicia- it was renown as a centre of Philosophical learning (New bible Dictionary)- a largely greek population. And Jesus just passes through. The geographical focus certainly is on Israel. The few times he is out of Israel (Egypt, Tyre, Sidon and Samaria) are all significant. I imagine Egypt with Tommo's Jesus enacting Israel or the OT idea “out of Egypt I called my son' (perhaps I should say Matthew's idea), Phoenicia for the answer Jesus didn't mean, and the action he did, and Samaria for a robust reversal of the good Samaritan story.

He possibly went through Caesarea Phillipi on the way down to Galilee and the area of the Decapolis. Looks like there was a major road that came across from the coast. This looks like it would be a fair journey on foot- at least 5 days? I wonder what this journey was like? Wonder what the disciples were feeling? Opposition from powerful forces are increasing- it looks like they could be on the run for awhile. There's a fair bit of time they have together on the road- also time for just getting on with the walking and space to be alone in that- and think. I wonder if an underlying tension is rising in the group.