Luke 5:15

KJV

But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} so much the more {G3123} went there {G1330} a fame {G3056} abroad {G1330} of {G4012} him {G846}: and {G2532} great {G4183} multitudes {G3793} came together {G4905} to hear {G191}, and {G2532} to be healed {G2323} by {G5259} him {G846} of {G575} their {G846} infirmities {G769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the news about Yeshua kept spreading all the more, so that huge crowds would gather to listen and be healed of their sicknesses.

Berean Standard Bible

But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

American Standard Version

But so much the more went abroad the report concerning him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:15 vividly portrays the burgeoning ministry of Jesus, illustrating how His fame rapidly expanded throughout the region, drawing immense crowds. Despite His efforts to withdraw for prayer and solitude, the compelling power of His teaching and the profound impact of His miraculous healings compelled vast numbers of people to seek Him out, eager to hear His words and receive deliverance from their various physical ailments. This verse highlights the irresistible draw of God's presence and power manifest in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Jesus healing a man "full of leprosy" in [Luke 5:12-14](/luke/5-12-14 "Luke 5:12-14 - Jesus Heals a Leper"). In that narrative, Jesus demonstrates His unique authority over disease, touching the untouchable and instantly cleansing him. Significantly, Jesus then instructs the healed man to "tell no one" but to present himself to the priests for verification, fulfilling Mosaic law and offering a testimony. Luke 5:15 reveals the immediate consequence of this and other miracles: the news of Jesus' power could not be contained, spreading far and wide despite His directive for silence. This sets up the ongoing tension in Luke's Gospel between Jesus' desire for quiet and the public's insatiable demand for His presence, often forcing Him to withdraw, as seen in [Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Withdraws to Pray").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' ministry was unfolding in Galilee, a region known for its diverse population, including many Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans. The Jewish people of this era lived under Roman occupation, often suffering from poverty, disease, and spiritual longing. Healers and teachers were common, but Jesus' ability to heal all manner of diseases—especially incurable ones like leprosy—and His authoritative teaching set Him apart. People traveled significant distances to see and hear figures of renown. The "fame" described here was not mere celebrity but a recognition of divine power, sparking hopes of a Messiah who would bring deliverance, both physical and spiritual. The prevalence of "infirmities" speaks to the lack of advanced medical care and the widespread suffering that made Jesus' healing ministry so profoundly impactful and sought after.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 5:15 contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **growing fame and divine authority** of Jesus, demonstrating that His power and message were undeniable, even when He sought to limit their public exposure. It highlights the **holistic nature of Jesus' ministry**, addressing both the spiritual hunger ("to hear") and the physical suffering ("to be healed") of humanity, a theme consistently present throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "Luke - The Gospel According to Luke"). The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **Jesus' compassion and accessibility**, as He does not turn away the "great multitudes" but continues to engage with them, despite the personal cost. This influx of people also foreshadows the immense spiritual harvest that will come through His ministry, as described in passages like [Luke 8:4-15](/luke/8-4-15 "Luke 8:4-15 - The Parable of the Sower").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fame (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, this word means "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)." In Luke 5:15, "fame" refers to the spreading "report" or "message" about Jesus' actions and teachings, indicating that His reputation was based on credible accounts of His powerful ministry, not just idle rumor.
* **Multitudes (Greek, _óchlos'_):** From G3793, meaning "a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot." This term describes the large, undifferentiated crowd of common people who were drawn to Jesus. It emphasizes the sheer number and often unorganized nature of those who came, highlighting the widespread impact of Jesus' ministry on the general populace, not just a select few.
* **Infirmities (Greek, _asthéneia'_):** From G769, meaning "feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty." This word encompasses a broad spectrum of human weaknesses, diseases, and ailments, both physical and perhaps even spiritual or moral. Its use here underscores the comprehensive nature of the suffering that Jesus addressed and healed, demonstrating His power over all forms of human brokenness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him":** This clause indicates a significant increase in Jesus' renown, directly contrasting with His instruction for the healed leper to remain silent. The news of His miraculous works and authoritative teaching spread even more widely and rapidly, demonstrating the irresistible nature of His divine power and the human need for it.
* **"and great multitudes came together to hear,":** This part reveals the primary motivation of many who sought Jesus: to listen to His words. It underscores the spiritual hunger of the people, who recognized in Jesus a teacher unlike any other, one who spoke with authority and offered profound truth. The gathering of "great multitudes" emphasizes the widespread appeal of His message.
* **"and to be healed by him of their infirmities.":** This final clause highlights the second major reason people flocked to Jesus: for physical restoration. It points to the widespread suffering and disease prevalent in society and Jesus' compassionate response to it. His ability to heal "infirmities" of all kinds was a powerful sign of the kingdom of God breaking into the world, validating His claims and drawing those in desperate need.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 5:15 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The phrase "so much the more went there a fame abroad of him" can be seen as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the overwhelming and uncontrollable spread of Jesus' reputation, despite His attempts to maintain a lower profile. There is also an element of **Irony**, as Jesus' instruction for secrecy in the preceding verses (Luke 5:14) is immediately followed by an even greater explosion of His fame, highlighting the futility of trying to contain divine power. The verse also uses **Juxtaposition** by presenting two distinct, yet complementary, reasons for the crowds gathering: "to hear" and "to be healed." This emphasizes the holistic nature of Jesus' ministry, addressing both spiritual and physical needs. Finally, the "great multitudes" and their "infirmities" serve as **Synecdoche**, where a part (the sick and the listeners) represents the whole of humanity's desperate need for God's intervention, both for truth and for healing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:15 powerfully illustrates the magnetic draw of God's presence and power, manifest in Jesus. It reveals that the divine authority of Christ, expressed through both His transformative words and His miraculous deeds, is inherently self-attesting and cannot be contained. This verse underscores the fundamental human need for both spiritual truth and physical restoration, and God's compassionate response to both through His Son. It sets a pattern for Jesus' ministry, where His public acts of compassion inevitably lead to greater public attention, even as He seeks moments of solitude for prayer and communion with the Father. The "fame" here is not for personal glory but for the glory of God, as people recognize the divine hand at work.

* [Matthew 4:23-25](/matthew/4-23-25 "Matthew 4:23-25 - Jesus' Ministry in Galilee")
* [Mark 1:45](/mark/1-45 "Mark 1:45 - The Leper Spreads the News")
* [Acts 5:15-16](/acts/5-15-16 "Acts 5:15-16 - Apostles Heal Many")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:15 offers a profound glimpse into the early days of Jesus' public ministry and its enduring relevance for believers today. Just as in ancient Galilee, people in every generation are drawn to Jesus for two fundamental reasons: to hear His life-giving words and to experience His transformative healing power. This verse reminds us that the message of Christ, when proclaimed and lived out authentically, possesses an inherent power to attract and gather people, transcending cultural and temporal barriers. It challenges us to consider whether our lives and ministries reflect this same holistic approach, addressing both the spiritual longing and the physical brokenness of those around us. We are called to be conduits of Christ's compassion, recognizing that genuine spiritual transformation often begins with an encounter with His tangible love and power, leading people to seek Him for both their deepest questions and their most pressing needs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "infirmities" in my own life or in the lives of those around me that I need to bring to Jesus for healing?**
* **How does the "fame" of Jesus continue to spread in the world today, and what role do I play in that process?**
* **Am I primarily seeking Jesus for what He can do for me (healing), or for who He is (His words and presence)?**
* **How can my life better reflect the holistic ministry of Jesus, addressing both spiritual and physical needs in my community?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus tell the healed leper to tell no one, yet His fame still spread?**

Answer: Jesus often instructed those He healed to keep quiet ([Mark 1:44](/mark/1-44 "Mark 1:44 - Jesus Heals a Leper and Commands Silence")) for several strategic reasons. Primarily, He sought to avoid being perceived merely as a miracle worker or a political Messiah who would lead a rebellion against Rome. His mission was spiritual, focused on proclaiming the Kingdom of God and ultimately culminating in His atoning death and resurrection. The crowds, however, were often driven by a desire for physical healing or immediate political liberation. Despite His instructions, the sheer power and compassion of His acts were undeniable, and the news of His miracles spread organically, demonstrating that divine power cannot be fully contained or hidden. This tension highlights the irresistible nature of God's work, which often transcends human plans and expectations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:15, with its depiction of "great multitudes" seeking Jesus "to hear, and to be healed," powerfully foreshadows the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work. Jesus is presented as the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning a divine healer and teacher, the one to whom the nations would stream ([Isaiah 2:2-3](/isaiah/2-2-3 "Isaiah 2:2-3 - The Mountain of the Lord's House")). His fame spreading abroad anticipates the global proclamation of the Gospel, as His name becomes known "to the ends of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). The crowds drawn to Him for healing prefigure His ultimate victory over sin, sickness, and death on the cross, where He bore our "infirmities" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Took Our Infirmities")). Moreover, their desire "to hear" Him points to Jesus as the living Word of God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), whose teachings bring eternal life and truth ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")). Thus, Luke 5:15 is not merely a historical account but a profound glimpse into the enduring, universal, and comprehensive nature of Christ's saving ministry, which continues to draw people to Him for spiritual and physical wholeness, culminating in the new heavens and new earth where there will be no more sickness or sorrow ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:30

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Matthew 15:31

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Luke 12:1

¶ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Matthew 4:23

¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Matthew 4:25

And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and [from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond Jordan.

Mark 1:45

But he went out, and began to publish [it] much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Mark 2:2

And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive [them], no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.