TRV
Translation
King James Version
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
KJV (with Strong's)
And G2532 he came down G2597 with G3326 them G846, and stood G2476 in G1909 the plain G3977 G5117, and G2532 the company G3793 of his G846 disciples G3101, and G2532 a great G4183 multitude G4128 of people G2992 out of G575 all G3956 Judaea G2449 and G2532 Jerusalem G2419, and G2532 from the sea coast G3882 of Tyre G5184 and G2532 Sidon G4605, which G3739 came G2064 to hear G191 him G846, and G2532 to be healed G2390 of G575 their G846 diseases G3554;
Complete Jewish Bible
Then he came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his talmidim was there with great numbers of people from all Y'hudah, Yerushalayim and the coast around Tzor and Tzidon; they had come to hear him and be healed of their diseases.
Berean Standard Bible
Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, along with a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon.
American Standard Version
and he came down with them, and stood on a level place, and a great multitude of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judæa and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
World English Bible Messianic
He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then he came downe with them, and stood in a plaine place, with the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Iudea, and Hierusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyrus and Sidon, which came to heare him, and to be healed of their diseases:
Young's Literal Translation
and having come down with them, he stood upon a level spot, and a crowd of his disciples, and a great multitude of the people from all Judea, and Jerusalem, and the maritime Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their sicknesses,
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In the KJVVerse 25,164 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Luke 6 verses 12–19
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.
13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
In these verses, we have our Lord Jesus in secret, in his family, and in public; and in all three acting like himself.
I. In secret we have him praying to God, Luk 6:12. This evangelist takes frequent notice of Christ's retirements, to give us an example of secret prayer, by which we must keep up our communion with God daily, and without which it is impossible that the soul should prosper. In those days, when his enemies were filled with madness against him, and were contriving what to do to him, he went out to pray; that he might answer the type of David (Psa 109:4), For my love, they are my adversaries; but I give myself unto prayer. Observe, 1. He was alone with God; he went out into a mountain, to pray, where he might have no disturbance or interruption given him; we are never less alone than when we are thus alone. Whether there was any convenient place built upon this mountain, for devout people to retire to for their private devotions, as some think, and that that oratory, or place of prayer, is meant here by hē proseuchē tou theou, to me seems very uncertain. He went into a mountain for privacy, and therefore, probably, would not go to a place frequented by others. 2. He was long alone with God: He continued all night in prayer. We think one half hour a great deal to spend in the duties of the closet; but Christ continued a whole night in meditation and secret prayer. We have a great deal of business at the throne of grace, and we should take a great delight in communion with God, and by both these we may be kept sometimes long at prayer.
II. In his family we have him nominating his immediate attendants, that should be the constant auditors of his doctrine and eye-witnesses of his miracles, that hereafter they might be sent forth as apostles, his messengers to the world, to preach his gospel to it, and plant his church in it, Luk 6:13. After he had continued all night in prayer, one would have thought that, when it was day, he should have reposed himself, and got some sleep. No, as soon as any body was stirring, he called unto him his disciples. In serving God, our great care should be, not to lose time, but to make the end of one good duty the beginning of another. Ministers are to be ordained with prayer more than ordinarily solemn. The number of the apostles was twelve. Their names are here recorded; it is the third time that we have met with them, and in each of the three places the order of them differs, to teach both ministers and Christians not to be nice in precedency, not in giving it, much less in taking it, but to look upon it as a thing not worth taking notice of; let it be as it lights. He that in Mark was called Thaddeus, in Matthew Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus, is here called Judas the brother of James, the same that wrote the epistle of Jude. Simon, who in Matthew and Mark was called the Canaanite, is here called Simon Zelotes, perhaps for his great zeal in religion. Concerning these twelve here named we have reason to say, as the queen of Sheba did of Solomon's servants, Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, that stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom; never were men so privileged, and yet one of them had a devil, and proved a traitor (Luk 6:16); yet Christ, when he chose him, was not deceived in him.
III. In public we have him preaching and healing, the two great works between which he divided his time, Luk 6:17. He came down with the twelve from the mountain, and stood in the plain, ready to receive those that resorted to him; and there were presently gathered about him, not only the company of his disciples, who used to attend him, but also a great multitude of people, a mixed multitude out of all Judea and Jerusalem. Though it was some scores of miles from Jerusalem to that part of Galilee where Christ now was, - though at Jerusalem they had abundance of famous rabbin, that had great names, and bore a mighty sway, - yet they came to hear Christ. They came also from the sea-coast of Tyre and Sidon. Though they who lived there were generally men of business, and though they bordered upon Canaanites, yet there were some well affected to Christ; such there were dispersed in all parts, here and there one. 1. They came to hear him and he preached to them. Those that have not good preaching near them had better travel far for it than be without it. It is worth while to go a great way to hear the word of Christ, and to go out of the way of other business for it. 2. They came to be cured by him, and he healed them. Some were troubled in body, and some in mind; some had diseases, some had devils; but both the one and the other, upon their application to Christ, were healed, for he has power over diseases and devils (Luk 6:17, Luk 6:18), over the effects and over the causes. Nay, it should seem, those who had no particular diseases to complain of yet found it a great confirmation and renovation to their bodily health and vigour to partake of the virtue that went out of him; for (Luk 6:19) the whole multitude sought to touch him, those that were in health as well as those that were sick, and they were all, one way or other, the better for him: he healed them all; and who is there that doth not need, upon some account or other, to be healed? There is a fulness of grace in Christ, and healing virtue in him, and ready to go out from him, that is enough for all, enough for each.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–19. Public domain.
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Ambrose of Milan (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 397
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
But observe all things carefully, how He both ascends with His Apostles and descends to the multitude; for how could the multitude see Christ but in a lowly place. It follows him not to the lofty places, it ascends not the heights. Lastly, when He descends, He finds the sick, for in the high places there can be no sick.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Commentary on Luke
Note all things carefully. He ascends with the apostles and descends to the crowds. How would a crowd see Christ, except at a low level? It does not follow him to the heights; it does not climb to majestic places. So when he descends, he finds the weak, for the weak cannot be high up. Thus also Matthew teaches that the weak were healed down below. First each was healed, so that little by little, with increasing virtue, he could ascend to the mountain. On the plain he heals each, that is, he calls them back from recklessness. He turns away the harm of blindness. He descends to heal our wounds, so that in an effective and abundant manner he makes us partakers in his heavenly nature.
Cyril of Alexandria (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 444
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
When the ordination of the Apostles was accomplished, and great numbers were collected together from the country of Judæa, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, (who were idolaters,) he gave the Apostles their commission to be the teachers of the whole world, that they might recal the Jews from the bondage of the law, but the worshippers of devils from their Gentile errors to the knowledge of the truth. Hence it is said, And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and a great multitude from Judæa, and the sea coast, &c.
But after that the High Priest had made publicly known His choice of Apostles, He did many and great miracles, that the Jews and Gentiles who had assembled might know that these were invested by Christ with the dignity of the Apostleship, and that He Himself was not as another man, but rather was God, as being the Incarnate Word. Hence it follows, And the whole multitude sought to touch him, for there went virtue out of him. For Christ did not receive virtue from others, but since he was by nature God, sending out His own virtue upon the sick, He healed them all.
Cyril of AlexandriaAD 444
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 25
When he had appointed the holy apostles, he performed very many wonderful miracles, rebuking demons, delivering from incurable diseases whoever drew near to him, and displaying his own most divine power. He did these works so that both the Jews, who had run together to him, and those from the country of the Greeks might know that Christ was not some ordinary man of those in our degree but, on the contrary, God. He honored these chosen disciples with the dignity of the apostolate. He was the Word that was made man but retained nevertheless his own glory. "For power went forth from him and healed all." Christ did not borrow strength from some other person, but being himself God by nature, even though he had become flesh, he healed them all, by the demonstration of power over the sick.
BedeAD 735
On the Gospel of Luke
And he descended with them and stood on a level place, and a crowd of his disciples, and a great multitude of people. The Lord went up into the mountains to choose the apostles, but he returned to the plains to teach the crowds, for the crowds can only see Christ in humility. For this is the standard which the Apostle followed when he said: I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but as carnal ones. As infants in Christ, I fed you with milk, not solid food. For you were not yet able, but even now you are not able (I Cor. III). However, the apostles themselves, according to Matthew, being more perfect, are said to have been taught both on the mountain and with the mouth of the Savior open. Where, if anyone wishes to examine both evangelists more carefully, it can be understood that when on the mountain he chose the twelve disciples from among the many, whom he also named apostles, which Matthew omitted, then he delivered the address which Matthew included and Luke omitted, that is, on the mountain. And then when he descended, in the level place he delivered another similar address, about which Matthew was silent, but Luke was not, and both addresses concluded in the same way.
Bede (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 735
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
By the sea coast he does not refer to the neighbouring sea of Galilee, because this would not be accounted wonderful, but it is so called from the great sea, and therein also Tyre and Sidon may be comprehended, of which it follows, Both of Tyre and Sidon. And these states being Gentile, are purposely named here, to indicate how great was the fame and power of the Saviour which had brought even the citizens of the coast to receive His healing and teaching. Hence it follows, Which came to hear him.
You will scarcely find any where that the multitudes follow our Lord to the higher places, or that a sick person is healed on a mountain; but having quenched the fever of lust and lit the torch of knowledge, each man approaches by degrees to the height of the virtues. But the multitudes which were able to touch the Lord are healed by the virtue of that touch, as formerly the leper is cleansed when our Lord touched him. The touch of the Saviour then is the work of salvation, whom to touch is to believe on Him, to be touched is to be healed by His precious gifts.
BedeAD 735
On the Gospel of Luke
From all Judaea and Jerusalem and the maritime regions, and Tyre and Sidon, etc. I consider the maritime multitude not to be from the nearby Sea of Galilee (for he would not place this among miraculous locations), but from the great sea, in which even Tyre and Sidon could be included. Truly, because they are cities of the Gentiles, given indeed to the Jews by lot, but not possessed by them, since the enemies could not be exterminated, they are specifically mentioned by name, so that the fame and power of the Savior may be hinted at, which summon even foreign cities to obtain health and doctrine. It should be noted here that although the Lord had mercy on the Gentiles coming to him, as he healed the centurion's boy and the daughter of the Canaanite woman upon approving their faith, he is not found to have entered their cities, lest he provide a reason for complaint to the fault-finding Jews, but he rather reserved the perfect salvation of the Gentiles for the time of his passion and resurrection. When that time was imminent, and the Gentiles sought to see him, he said: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit (John XII).
Theophylact of Ohrid (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 1107
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
That is, for the cure of their souls; and that they might be healed of their diseases, that is, for the cure of their bodies.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Luke 6:17 vividly portrays Jesus' transition from private prayer and the selection of His twelve apostles to active public ministry, descending to a level plain where a vast and diverse multitude had gathered. This crowd, comprising both His dedicated disciples and a great number of people from across Judaea, Jerusalem, and even the Gentile coastal regions of Tyre and Sidon, had come with a dual purpose: to hear His teachings and to receive healing from their various diseases, underscoring the widespread appeal and holistic nature of His burgeoning ministry.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse immediately follows a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry: His night-long prayer on the mountain and the subsequent selection of the twelve apostles (as detailed in Luke 6:12-16). Luke 6:17 thus marks a significant shift from this intimate, preparatory period to the public outpouring of His teaching and healing. The descent from the mountain to the "plain" (or level place) sets the stage for what is often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain, which commences in Luke 6:20. This structural arrangement highlights Jesus' intentional movement from strategic spiritual formation with His inner circle to accessible, compassionate engagement with the broader populace. The verse serves as a crucial bridge, illustrating the immediate consequence of His divine appointment of leaders—a massive influx of people seeking Him.
Historical & Cultural Context: First-century Palestine was a land ripe with spiritual and physical needs, where religious teachers (rabbis) and healers were sought after. Jesus' reputation had clearly spread far beyond Galilee, drawing people from the heartland of Judaism (Judaea and Jerusalem) and even from the predominantly Gentile Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. This geographical diversity is highly significant, indicating that Jesus' appeal transcended traditional Jewish boundaries and was reaching into areas considered "unclean" or outside the covenant by many zealous Jews. The presence of such a large and varied crowd underscores the prevailing conditions of widespread sickness, oppression, and spiritual hunger, creating an environment where a figure performing miracles and speaking with authority would naturally attract immense attention. People often traveled significant distances to encounter a prophet or a healer, and the "plain" would have provided an ideal, accessible gathering space for such a large assembly.
Key Themes: Luke 6:17 contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes the accessibility of Jesus, as He deliberately descends from the mountain to a level place, making Himself available to everyone, not just His chosen few. This contrasts with the exclusivity of the mountain for prayer and selection, highlighting His compassionate desire to meet people where they are. Secondly, the verse showcases the universal appeal of Jesus' ministry. The vast "multitude" (Greek: óchlos) drawn from both Jewish and Gentile regions foreshadows the inclusive nature of the Gospel message, which is for "all nations" (as seen in Luke 24:47). Finally, it powerfully illustrates the holistic nature of Jesus' ministry, addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of humanity. The crowds came "to hear him" (seeking spiritual truth and guidance) and "to be healed of their diseases" (seeking physical restoration), demonstrating that Jesus' compassion extended to every dimension of human suffering, a theme pervasive throughout His public ministry (e.g., Matthew 4:23).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Luke 6:17 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Contrast is evident in the movement from the mountain (a place of private prayer and selection) to the plain (a place of public ministry and accessibility), symbolizing Jesus' transition from intimate preparation to widespread engagement. The geographical listing of "all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon" utilizes Inclusivity and Merism, representing the entirety of the known world from which people were drawn, encompassing both Jewish and Gentile populations. This highlights the universal reach of Jesus' message and power. Furthermore, the dual purpose of the crowd—"to hear him, and to be healed"—demonstrates Parallelism and Dichotomy, emphasizing the holistic nature of Jesus' ministry, which addresses both spiritual hunger and physical suffering. The phrase "great multitude" is an example of Hyperbole, conveying the immense number of people without necessarily implying a precise count, underscoring the overwhelming response to Jesus.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:17 is a powerful testament to the incarnate Son of God's compassionate accessibility and universal mission. Jesus' descent from the mountain to the plain is not merely a geographical movement but a profound theological statement: God, in Christ, comes down to humanity's level, making Himself approachable and available to all who seek Him. This act of divine condescension underscores His empathy for suffering humanity and His desire to offer holistic salvation—addressing both the spiritual need for truth and the physical need for healing. The diverse origins of the crowd, including Gentiles from Tyre and Sidon, foreshadow the breaking down of ethnic and religious barriers through the Gospel, revealing God's redemptive plan for all nations. This verse sets the stage for Jesus to minister to a broad spectrum of people, demonstrating that His Kingdom is open to all who come in faith, regardless of their background or condition.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:17 offers profound insights for contemporary disciples. Just as Jesus descended from the mountain to meet the crowds on the plain, He continues to be an accessible Savior, willing to meet us in the midst of our everyday lives and struggles. This verse invites us to consider the depth of our own needs: are we primarily seeking to "hear Him"—to genuinely listen to and obey His Word, allowing it to transform our minds and hearts? Or are we, like many in the crowd, primarily driven by our physical and emotional "diseases," seeking only relief from immediate suffering? While Jesus certainly cares for our physical well-being, His ultimate desire is to address the deeper spiritual maladies of sin and separation from God. The diverse crowd reminds us that Jesus' invitation is for everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, or past. We are called to approach Him with both our spiritual hunger for truth and our physical burdens, trusting in His holistic compassion and power to heal, teach, and restore. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and openness, recognizing that true transformation comes from both hearing and experiencing the Lord's presence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jesus come down to a "plain" instead of staying on the mountain?
Answer: Jesus' descent from the mountain to the "plain" (or level place) was a deliberate and symbolic act. The mountain often represents a place of divine encounter, prayer, and revelation (as seen in Exodus 19:3 or Matthew 17:1). By coming down to the plain, Jesus demonstrated His accessibility and willingness to meet the common people where they were. A plain provided a practical, open space for a large multitude to gather, making His teaching and healing ministry available to all, not just a select few. This action underscores His compassionate desire to engage directly with the needs of the masses.
What is the significance of the crowd coming from Tyre and Sidon?
Answer: The inclusion of people from Tyre and Sidon is highly significant because these were predominantly Gentile (non-Jewish) Phoenician cities located on the Mediterranean coast. In first-century Jewish society, there was often a strong distinction and sometimes animosity between Jews and Gentiles. The fact that people from these regions traveled to hear and be healed by Jesus highlights the widespread nature of His fame and the universal appeal of His message and power. It foreshadows the inclusive nature of the Gospel, which would eventually extend to all nations, breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile (as described in Ephesians 2:14). It demonstrates that Jesus' compassion and power were not limited by ethnic or religious boundaries.
What does it mean that they came "to hear him, and to be healed"?
Answer: This phrase reveals the dual purpose for which the diverse multitude sought Jesus, reflecting the holistic nature of His ministry. "To hear him" signifies a desire for spiritual instruction, truth, and guidance. People recognized Jesus as a unique teacher who spoke with authority, unlike the scribes and Pharisees (as noted in Matthew 7:29). "To be healed of their diseases" indicates their desperate need for physical restoration and relief from suffering. Jesus' miraculous healings were tangible demonstrations of God's power and compassion, offering immediate relief to those afflicted. Together, these two motivations highlight that Jesus ministered to the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—addressing both their deepest spiritual longings and their most pressing physical needs.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:17, with its depiction of Jesus' descent to the plain to meet a vast, diverse multitude seeking to hear and be healed, is profoundly Christ-centered. It foreshadows the ultimate condescension of the Son of God, who "came down from heaven" (as Jesus Himself states in John 6:38) to dwell among humanity, taking on flesh (the Incarnation, John 1:14). Just as He descended from the mountain to the plain, Christ humbled Himself, "taking the form of a servant" (as described in Philippians 2:7), to be accessible to a broken and suffering world. His ministry of teaching and healing on the plain prefigures His ultimate work on the cross, where He bore the "diseases" of sin and offered spiritual and eternal healing to all who believe. The "great multitude" from "all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon" anticipates the universal scope of the Gospel, demonstrating that Christ's redemptive work is for "whosoever believes in Him" (as proclaimed in John 3:16), breaking down the barriers between Jew and Gentile and offering abundant life (as promised in John 10:10) to all who come to Him to hear His life-giving Word and receive His transforming grace.