Luke 5:16

KJV

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he withdrew {G2258}{G5298} himself {G846} into {G1722} the wilderness {G2048}, and {G2532} prayed {G4336}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, he made a practice of withdrawing to remote places in order to pray.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.

American Standard Version

But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:16 offers a profound and essential insight into the spiritual discipline of Jesus Christ, revealing His consistent commitment to intentional withdrawal for prayer and communion with God amidst the escalating demands of His public ministry. Despite the immense crowds and urgent needs surrounding Him, Jesus prioritized solitude, modeling for His followers the indispensable necessity of a vibrant, sustained prayer life as the wellspring of divine power and guidance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a period of intense and successful ministry for Jesus. He has just performed a series of remarkable healings, including a man with an unclean spirit in Capernaum ([Luke 4:33-35](/luke/4-33-35 "Luke 4:33-35 - Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit")), Simon's mother-in-law ([Luke 4:38-39](/luke/4-38-39 "Luke 4:38-39 - Jesus Heals Simon's Mother-in-Law")), and many others who were sick or demon-possessed ([Luke 4:40-41](/luke/4-40-41 "Luke 4:40-41 - Jesus Heals Many")). Most recently, He miraculously healed a leper, an act that brought Him widespread fame and led to large crowds gathering from every town to hear Him and be healed ([Luke 5:12-15](/luke/5-12-15 "Luke 5:12-15 - Jesus Heals a Leper")). The narrative flow highlights the immense pressure and constant demands placed upon Jesus, making His deliberate withdrawal a striking and significant action.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "wilderness" (Greek: _eremos_) in this context does not necessarily imply a barren desert, but rather a desolate, solitary, or uninhabited place, away from the bustling towns and crowds. Such places were common in ancient Galilee and Judea, offering seclusion from public life. For Jewish people, the wilderness held significant spiritual connotations, often associated with divine encounters (e.g., Moses and Elijah), periods of testing, and preparation for ministry. Jesus Himself spent forty days in the wilderness at the outset of His ministry ([Luke 4:1-13](/luke/4-1-13 "Luke 4:1-13 - Jesus is Tempted in the Wilderness")). His withdrawal into such a place for prayer aligns with a long tradition of seeking God in solitude, a practice that was essential for spiritual leaders and prophets.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 5:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **priority of prayer** in Jesus's life, demonstrating that even the Son of God, though divine, lived a life of dependence on His Father through constant communion. This theme is echoed throughout Luke, as Jesus is frequently depicted praying before significant events, such as His baptism ([Luke 3:21](/luke/3-21 "Luke 3:21 - Jesus's Baptism")), choosing His disciples ([Luke 6:12](/luke/6-12 "Luke 6:12 - Jesus Prays Before Choosing His Disciples")), and His transfiguration ([Luke 9:28](/luke/9-28 "Luke 9:28 - Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration")). Furthermore, the verse highlights the **necessity of solitude** for spiritual renewal and clarity of purpose, a counter-cultural practice in any age of constant demands. It also serves as a crucial **example for believers**, illustrating that if Jesus, in His perfection, needed to withdraw and pray, how much more do His followers need to cultivate this discipline for spiritual health, guidance, and effective service.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **withdrew (Greek, _hypochōréō'_):** From G5298, meaning "to vacate down, i.e. retire quietly; to go aside, withdraw self." This word emphasizes Jesus's deliberate and intentional act of moving away from the crowds and the demands of His ministry. It was not an accidental or forced retreat, but a conscious decision to separate Himself for a specific purpose.
* **wilderness (Greek, _érēmos'_):** From G2048, meaning "lonesome, i.e. (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, χώρα being implied); desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness." This term describes the physical location Jesus sought out – a place characterized by isolation and quiet, free from the distractions and interruptions of human activity. It signifies a place conducive to undisturbed communion with God.
* **prayed (Greek, _proseúchomai'_):** From G4336, meaning "to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship; pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer." This verb denotes an active, intentional, and devout engagement in communication with God. It implies a posture of reverence, supplication, and worship, indicating that Jesus's withdrawal was specifically for the purpose of intimate fellowship and dependence upon His Father.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he withdrew himself into the wilderness,"**: This clause describes Jesus's physical action of intentional separation. Despite the pressing needs of the crowds and the widespread fame He had gained, Jesus made a deliberate choice to remove Himself from the public sphere. The destination, "the wilderness," signifies a solitary, uninhabited place, chosen specifically for its quietude and isolation, which would facilitate undisturbed communion with God. This act underscores Jesus's self-awareness of His human need for spiritual replenishment and His divine wisdom in prioritizing His relationship with the Father above all external demands.
* **"and prayed."**: This second clause reveals the ultimate purpose of Jesus's withdrawal. His solitude was not for rest or escape, but for fervent prayer. The Greek word for "prayed" (proseúchomai) indicates a deep, intentional, and worshipful communication with God. This highlights that prayer was not merely an occasional activity for Jesus, but a foundational and continuous discipline, essential for His ministry, guidance, and spiritual strength. It demonstrates His perfect dependence on the Father, even as the Son of God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Contrast** by juxtaposing Jesus's withdrawal with the preceding narrative of immense crowds and widespread fame. This highlights the counter-intuitive nature of His action: instead of capitalizing on His popularity, He retreated. There is also clear **Modeling** at play, as Jesus's actions serve as a direct example for His disciples and all believers. His consistent practice of seeking solitude for prayer establishes a divine precedent. The term "wilderness" functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical location but a spiritual space for intimate communion, testing, and revelation, reminiscent of significant biblical encounters with God in desolate places.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:16 is a foundational text for understanding Jesus's operational dependence on His Father and the essential role of prayer in His earthly ministry. It reveals that even the Son of God, in His incarnate state, did not operate independently but was continually sustained and guided by intimate communion with the Father. This consistent practice underscores the profound truth that spiritual power and effective ministry flow from a deep, personal relationship with God, cultivated through prayer and solitude. It challenges any notion that divine power negates the need for spiritual discipline, instead demonstrating that perfect obedience and divine purpose are intrinsically linked to a life of prayerful dependence. This verse serves as a timeless paradigm for all who seek to live a life aligned with God's will and empowered by His Spirit.

* [Mark 1:35](/mark/1-35 "Mark 1:35 - Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place")
* [Luke 6:12](/luke/6-12 "Luke 6:12 - Jesus Prays Before Choosing His Disciples")
* [Luke 9:28](/luke/9-28 "Luke 9:28 - Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:16 presents a powerful and counter-cultural challenge to believers in every age, particularly in our hyper-connected and constantly demanding world. Jesus, at the height of His popularity and amidst overwhelming needs, chose to withdraw and pray. This is not merely an interesting historical detail but a profound spiritual principle for all who follow Him. It compels us to examine our own rhythms of life and ministry: do we prioritize communion with God over constant activity and external demands? Do we intentionally create space for solitude and prayer, or do we allow the clamor of life to dictate our spiritual disciplines? Jesus's example teaches us that true spiritual strength, clarity of purpose, and resilience in ministry are not found in perpetual motion or public acclaim, but in the quiet, consistent, and intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father. This verse invites us to cultivate a habit of intentional withdrawal, not as an escape from responsibility, but as a vital means of spiritual replenishment, realignment, and empowerment for all that God calls us to do.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "crowds" or "demands" in your life that often prevent you from seeking solitude with God?**
* **How can you intentionally create space in your daily or weekly routine for quiet, undisturbed prayer, even amidst a busy schedule?**
* **What does Jesus's consistent practice of prayer, even as the Son of God, teach you about your own need for prayer and dependence on God?**
* **In what ways might prioritizing solitude and prayer lead to greater spiritual effectiveness and prevent burnout in your life and ministry?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus, being divine, need to withdraw and pray?**

Answer: While Jesus was fully divine, He was also fully human, and in His humanity, He perfectly modeled dependence on the Father. His withdrawal and prayer were not due to a lack of power or knowledge, but rather an expression of His perfect communion with the Father and His complete reliance on Him for guidance, strength, and sustenance in His earthly ministry. It demonstrated His perfect obedience and identification with humanity, showing us the essential nature of prayer for all, even the Son of God. It also served as a vital spiritual discipline to maintain focus, resist temptation, and replenish His spirit amidst the immense demands of His mission, as seen in other instances like [Jesus's prayer in Gethsemane](/matthew/26-36-46 "Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane").

**What does "the wilderness" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The "wilderness" (Greek: _eremos_) in this context refers to a solitary, desolate, or uninhabited place, rather than necessarily a barren desert. It signifies a location away from the crowds and distractions of towns and villages, chosen specifically to facilitate quiet, undisturbed communion with God. Biblically, the wilderness often symbolizes a place of testing, spiritual formation, and intimate encounters with God, as seen in the experiences of figures like Moses, Elijah, and even Jesus's own forty days of temptation at the outset of His ministry ([Luke 4:1-2](/luke/4-1-2 "Luke 4:1-2 - Jesus is Tempted in the Wilderness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:16, while describing a specific act of Jesus's earthly ministry, deeply resonates with the broader Christ-centered narrative of redemption. Jesus's consistent withdrawal to pray underscores His perfect humanity and His absolute dependence on the Father, a dependence that would ultimately lead Him to the cross. His prayer life was not merely a personal discipline but an integral part of His mission to perfectly obey the Father's will, which culminated in His atoning sacrifice. This profound reliance on God foreshadows His role as our great High Priest, who, having fully identified with our human weakness and need for divine sustenance, now lives to intercede for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our High Priest")). The solitude Jesus sought in the wilderness prefigures the ultimate isolation He would experience on the cross, bearing the sin of the world, yet even then, His final words were a prayer of dependence to His Father ([Luke 23:46](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus's Last Words on the Cross")). Thus, Jesus's prayer in the wilderness is not just an example, but a revelation of the heart of the One who, through perfect obedience and prayerful communion, secured our salvation and continues to sustain us through His ongoing intercession.

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

Mark 1:35

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Mark 1:36

And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

Luke 6:12

¶ And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Matthew 14:23

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Mark 6:46

And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

John 6:15

¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.