Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 15:39

"And he sent away the multitudes, and entered into the boat, and came into the borders of Magadan." — Matthew 15:39 (ASV)

Into the regions of Magdala — The better manuscripts give the reading Magadan. The narrative implies that it was on the western shore of the lake, and it is probably to be identified with the modern village of El Mejdel, about three miles north of Tabarieh (Tiberias). The name seems to be an altered form of the Hebrew Migdol, a tower.

On the assumption that “Mary, called Magdalene,” derived her name from this town, we may think of our Lord’s visit as having been connected with her in some way. It is clear that the company of devout women who ministered to Him could hardly have followed Him on the more distant journey to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. It was natural, if they did not, that they should have returned for a time to their homes.

St. Mark gives Dalmanutha as the place where our Lord disembarked. This location has been identified with the modern Ain-el-Bârideh, the “cold fountain,” a glen that opens onto the lake about a mile from Magdala.