The eastern shore of Gennesaret was not uninhabited, for there were towns here and there beside the lake; yet it was a desolate region when 334 compared with the western side. It contained a population more heathen than Jewish, and had little communication with Galilee. Thus it offered Jesus the seclusion He sought, and He now bade His disciples accompany Him thither.

Genezaretsøens østlige kyst var ikke ubeboet, for hist og her lå der byer ved søens bred; men det var dog en ensom egn i sammenligning med den vestlige side. Den havde en befolkning, som mere bestod af hedninger end af jøder, og den havde kun ringe forbindelse med Galilæa. Derfor kunne den yde Jesus den afsondrethed, han søgte, og nu bød han sine disciple ledsage ham derover.