Luke 5:17

KJV

¶ And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096} on {G1722} a certain {G3391} day {G2250}, as {G2532} he {G846} was {G2258} teaching {G1321}, that {G2532} there were {G2258} Pharisees {G5330} and {G2532} doctors of the law {G3547} sitting by {G2521}, which {G3739} were {G2258} come {G2064} out of {G1537} every {G3956} town {G2968} of Galilee {G1056}, and {G2532} Judaea {G2449}, and {G2532} Jerusalem {G2419}: and {G2532} the power {G1411} of the Lord {G2962} was {G2258} present to {G1519} heal {G2390} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

One day when Yeshua was teaching, there were P'rushim and Torah-teachers present who had come from various villages in the Galil and Y'hudah, also from Yerushalayim; and the power of ADONAI was with him to heal the sick.

Berean Standard Bible

One day Jesus was teaching, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. People had come from Jerusalem and from every village of Galilee and Judea, and the power of the Lord was present for Him to heal the sick.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who were come out of every village of Galilee and Judæa and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:17 marks a significant moment in Jesus' burgeoning ministry, revealing His expanding influence as both a profound teacher and a conduit of divine healing. On a particular day, as Jesus was teaching, a diverse and influential audience had gathered, including not only the general populace but also prominent Pharisees and doctors of the law who had traveled from across Galilee, Judaea, and Jerusalem. This assembly underscores the widespread attention Jesus was attracting, setting the stage for a powerful demonstration of God's miraculous presence and foreshadowing the escalating scrutiny from religious authorities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point in Luke's Gospel, bridging Jesus' initial public ministry of teaching and healing with the direct confrontation He would soon face from religious leaders. Preceding this, Jesus has already demonstrated His authority over sickness and demons, notably healing a leper in [Luke 5:12-16](/luke/5-12-16 "Luke 5:12-16 - Jesus Heals a Leper") and casting out a demon in [Luke 4:31-37](/luke/4-31-37 "Luke 4:31-37 - Jesus Teaches and Heals in Capernaum"). The immediate narrative that follows this verse is the dramatic healing of the paralytic, where Jesus not only heals his body but also controversially declares his sins forgiven ([Luke 5:18-26](/luke/5-18-26 "Luke 5:18-26 - Jesus Heals a Paralytic and Forgives Sins")). The presence of the Pharisees and doctors of the law in Luke 5:17 directly sets up their questioning of Jesus' authority in the subsequent verses, highlighting the growing tension and opposition to His ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The presence of "Pharisees and doctors of the law" from "every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem" is highly significant. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious and political movement known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their extensive body of oral traditions. The "doctors of the law," also known as scribes, were experts in Jewish law, responsible for its interpretation and teaching, often aligned with the Pharisees. Their widespread representation, particularly from Jerusalem—the religious and political heart of Judaism—indicates that Jesus' fame and the nature of His teachings had reached the highest levels of Jewish religious authority. Their presence was likely not merely out of curiosity but out of a deliberate intention to observe, scrutinize, and potentially challenge Jesus' claims and actions, especially given His unconventional methods and interpretations of the Law.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 5:17 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it emphasizes **Jesus' Unparalleled Authority**, demonstrating that His teaching was not merely human wisdom but was accompanied by divine power, validating His claims to be from God. Secondly, the phrase "the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them" highlights the theme of **Divine Presence and Power**, signifying that God's active, miraculous ability (Greek: *dunamis*) was tangibly at work through Jesus, making Him the embodiment of God's saving activity. Thirdly, the gathering of religious leaders from across the region underscores the theme of **Growing Scrutiny and Opposition**. Their presence marks a turning point where Jesus' ministry moves from general popularity to direct confrontation with the established religious order, setting the stage for the conflicts that define much of His public ministry, as seen in subsequent debates over Sabbath observance and association with sinners ([Luke 5:29-39](/luke/5-29-39 "Luke 5:29-39 - Jesus Eats with Sinners and Teaches about New Wine")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came to pass (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, often translated as "to become" or "to happen," indicates an event unfolding or coming into being. In this context, "it came to pass" is a common biblical idiom used to introduce a new development or significant event, signaling to the reader that something important is about to occur. It emphasizes the divinely orchestrated nature of the events in Jesus' ministry.
* **doctors of the law (Greek, _nomodidáskalos'_):** This compound word literally means "law-teacher." It refers to an expounder or teacher of the Mosaic Law, essentially a Rabbi or scribe. Their presence signifies the official religious establishment's interest in Jesus, as these were the authoritative interpreters of Jewish tradition and scripture. Their coming from various regions indicates a widespread, organized scrutiny of Jesus' activities.
* **power (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** This term denotes inherent force, ability, or miraculous capability. It is the root of English words like "dynamic" and "dynamite," conveying a sense of effective, often explosive, energy. Here, it specifically refers to God's miraculous, divine power actively at work through Jesus, enabling Him to perform acts of healing. This is not merely human strength but a supernatural endowment from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching,"**: This opening clause sets the scene, indicating a specific, divinely appointed moment in Jesus' ongoing public ministry. The phrase "as he was teaching" highlights that teaching was a primary and continuous aspect of Jesus' work, often preceding or accompanying His miraculous deeds.
* **"that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by,"**: This introduces the key audience members who are not merely casual listeners but authoritative religious figures. Their "sitting by" suggests a posture of observation, perhaps even judgment, rather than active participation as disciples. Their presence signifies the growing official attention Jesus was receiving.
* **"which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem:"**: This detail emphasizes the widespread and strategic nature of the religious leaders' presence. It indicates that Jesus' fame and influence had permeated all major regions of Jewish life, including the religious capital, Jerusalem. Their concerted gathering from such diverse locations underscores the perceived significance and potential threat of Jesus' ministry to the established religious order.
* **"and the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them."**: This climactic clause reveals the divine enablement behind Jesus' ministry. It explicitly states that the miraculous ability (Greek: *dunamis*) to heal originated from "the Lord" (God Himself) and was actively at work through Jesus. The word "[present]" is an interpretive addition in the KJV, clarifying that this power was not merely potential but actively manifesting, ready to bring about healing. This divine power is the true source of Jesus' authority and the validation of His teachings.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 5:17 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the assembly of Pharisees and doctors of the law from across the land explicitly sets the stage for the escalating conflict and opposition Jesus will face throughout His ministry, particularly concerning His claims of divine authority. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the scrutinizing human religious authority with the active, undeniable **Divine Power** of the Lord manifesting through Jesus. The phrase "every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem" serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Generalization**, emphasizing the widespread nature of Jesus' fame and the comprehensive representation of the religious establishment, rather than implying a literal attendance from every single village. Finally, the phrase "the power of the Lord was present to heal them" can be seen as an example of the **Divine Passive**, where the action (healing) is attributed to God's power without explicitly stating Jesus as the direct agent, thereby highlighting the divine source of the miracle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:17 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of Jesus' ministry and the source of His authority. It unequivocally declares that Jesus' teaching and miraculous works were not merely human endeavors but were empowered by the very presence and *dunamis* (power) of God. This divine enablement validates Jesus' claims and underscores His unique relationship with the Father. The gathering of the religious elite, scrutinizing His every move, highlights the inherent tension between God's new work in Christ and the established human religious systems that often resisted divine innovation. It teaches us that true spiritual authority flows from God's active presence, not from human titles or traditions, and that God's power is always available to accomplish His redemptive purposes, even in the face of opposition.

* [Luke 5:21](/luke/5-21 "Luke 5:21 - The Scribes and Pharisees Question Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sins")
* [Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - God Anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and Power")
* [Matthew 8:16-17](/matthew/8-16-17 "Matthew 8:16-17 - Jesus Heals Many and Fulfills Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:17 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that Jesus' ministry was characterized by both powerful teaching and tangible demonstrations of God's power. For us today, this means that the proclamation of the Gospel should not be merely intellectual but should be accompanied by an expectation of God's active presence and transformative power. We are called to recognize that genuine spiritual and even physical healing, guidance, and transformation come from God's divine enablement, not solely from human effort or wisdom. Even when faced with scrutiny, skepticism, or outright opposition from the world, the power of the Lord remains present to accomplish His will. This passage invites us to trust in this ever-present power for our own lives, for the church, and for the world, believing that Jesus Christ is indeed "the same yesterday, today, and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same")). Our task is to faithfully teach His word and to expect His power to manifest in ways that bring glory to His name and healing to a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I recognize and rely on "the power of the Lord" in my daily life and ministry?**
* **In what ways might I be like the Pharisees and doctors of the law, scrutinizing God's work rather than embracing it?**
* **How does Jesus' dual role as a teacher and healer inform my understanding of holistic ministry and discipleship?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "Pharisees and doctors of the law" and why were they significant?**

Answer: The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious and political party in the first century, known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their extensive oral traditions. The "doctors of the law," also called scribes, were experts in interpreting and teaching this law. Their significance in Luke 5:17 lies in their role as the religious authorities and gatekeepers of Jewish tradition. Their presence from across Galilee, Judaea, and Jerusalem indicates that Jesus' ministry had gained widespread attention and was now under official scrutiny. They represented the established religious order, and their observation of Jesus often led to questioning His authority and methods, particularly as His teachings and actions challenged their interpretations and traditions. This verse sets the stage for the growing conflict between Jesus and these religious leaders throughout the Gospels.

**What does "the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them" truly imply?**

Answer: This phrase is central to understanding Jesus' ministry. The Greek word for "power" is *dunamis* (G1411), which signifies inherent, miraculous, and dynamic ability. It implies that the divine energy and capability of God Himself were actively at work through Jesus. It was not merely Jesus' human compassion or skill, but God's own supernatural power manifesting through Him to bring about healing. This statement underscores Jesus' divine nature and His unique role as the Son of God, through whom God's redemptive will was being accomplished. It validates His authority as both a teacher and a healer, demonstrating that His words were accompanied by divine authentication. This power was not just for the moment but was a continuous presence, ready to be unleashed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:17, with its declaration that "the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus as the embodiment of God's saving power and the Great Physician. Old Testament prophecies hinted at a Messiah who would bring healing and restoration, not just physically but spiritually ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Sins and Sicknesses")). Jesus, by manifesting God's *dunamis* to heal, perfectly fulfills these expectations, demonstrating that the Kingdom of God has drawn near in His person. His power to heal physical ailments was a tangible sign of His greater authority to forgive sins and bring spiritual wholeness, as seen immediately in the healing of the paralytic ([Luke 5:24](/luke/5-24 "Luke 5:24 - Jesus Forgives Sins and Heals the Paralytic")). Ultimately, Jesus' entire life, death, and resurrection are the supreme demonstration of God's power to heal humanity from the ultimate sickness of sin and death ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of God for Salvation"); [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). He is the one through whom God's power is made perfect in weakness, offering not just temporary relief but eternal life and reconciliation with God ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient"); [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ's Supremacy and Reconciliation")).

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

Luke 6:19

And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed [them] all.

Luke 8:46

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

Acts 19:11

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

Matthew 11:5

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Acts 4:30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Mark 7:1

¶ Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

Matthew 15:1

¶ Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,