Luke 7:17

KJV

And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} this {G3778} rumour {G3056} of {G4012} him {G846} went forth {G1831} throughout {G1722} all {G3650} Judaea {G2449}, and {G2532} throughout {G1722} all {G3956} the region round about {G4066}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This report about him spread throughout all Y'hudah and the surrounding countryside.

Berean Standard Bible

And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding region.

American Standard Version

And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judæa, and all the region round about.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following Jesus' compassionate and miraculous raising of the widow's son in Nain, the profound impact of this divine demonstration could not be contained. The news of His power and authority, far from being mere gossip, rapidly spread as a significant report throughout the entire region of Judaea and all the surrounding territories, cementing His growing fame and the undeniable evidence of God's active presence through Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 7:17 immediately follows one of Jesus' most striking miracles: the raising of the widow's only son in the town of Nain (Luke 7:11-16). This event is unique to Luke's Gospel and serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority over death, mirroring the Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha who also raised the dead. The narrative emphasizes Jesus' profound compassion ("He had compassion on her," [Luke 7:13](/luke/7-13 "Luke 7:13 - Jesus' Compassion for the Widow")). The verse functions as a summary statement, highlighting the immediate and widespread consequence of such an extraordinary act. It sets the stage for the subsequent inquiries about Jesus' identity from John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-23) and further parables and teachings, underscoring that His ministry was not hidden but publicly impactful.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaea, news traveled primarily by word-of-mouth. There were no mass media, so reports of significant events spread through personal testimonies, travelers, merchants, and discussions in synagogues and marketplaces. A miracle of this magnitude—raising someone from the dead—would have been an event of immense public interest and theological significance. Judaea was the southern province of Palestine, encompassing Jerusalem, and "the region round about" would include areas like Samaria, Galilee, and the Decapolis, where people frequently traveled and interacted. The Jewish people at this time were keenly awaiting the Messiah and a prophet like Moses or Elijah. Such a powerful act would naturally ignite fervent discussion and speculation about Jesus' identity, fulfilling prophecies that God would visit His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **The Spreading Fame and Authority of Jesus**. His miracles, particularly those over sickness, nature, and death, were not isolated incidents but public declarations of His divine power, causing His reputation to precede Him and draw vast crowds. Secondly, it highlights the **Uncontainable Nature of God's Work**. When God acts decisively through His Son, the impact cannot be confined; it naturally "goes forth" and spreads, drawing attention to His kingdom. This echoes how [Jesus' fame spread throughout Galilee](/mark/1-28 "Mark 1:28 - Jesus' Fame Spreads in Galilee") after His early teachings and healings, and how the [news of His healing power reached all of Syria](/matthew/4-24 "Matthew 4:24 - Jesus' Fame Spreads to Syria"). Finally, the verse subtly points to the **Divine Validation of Jesus' Ministry**. The "rumour" was not idle gossip but an acknowledgment of a profound, supernatural event, confirming Jesus' unique status as God's chosen messenger and the promised Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **rumour (Greek, _lógos'_):** (G3056) From λέγω (legō, "to speak"). While "rumour" in English can imply unverified or idle talk, the Greek _lógos_ here carries a much weightier meaning. It signifies "something said," a "report," "account," or "message." In this context, it is not mere gossip but a substantial, undeniable report of an actual event—the raising of the dead son—which carried significant implications about Jesus' identity and power. It was a factual account that prompted widespread discussion and belief.
* **went forth (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** (G1831) From ἐκ (ek, "out of") and ἔρχομαι (erchomai, "to come/go"). This verb literally means "to issue," "to come forth," or "to go out." It vividly conveys the dynamic and expansive nature of the news. The report didn't just exist; it actively "issued" from Nain and "spread abroad" with a sense of unstoppable momentum, indicating a natural and rapid dissemination of information.
* **region round about (Greek, _períchōros'_):** (G4066) From περί (peri, "around") and χώρα (chōra, "region"). This compound word literally means "around the region" or "circumjacent." It denotes the entire vicinity or surrounding country. Its inclusion emphasizes the comprehensive geographical reach of the news, extending beyond the immediate locality of Nain to encompass not only the entire province of Judaea but also all the adjacent areas, signifying the profound and far-reaching impact of Jesus' miracle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this rumour of him went forth":** This initial clause establishes the subject of the verse: a specific "report" or "account" concerning Jesus. The use of "went forth" (Greek _exérchomai_) powerfully conveys the active, dynamic, and uncontainable nature of this news. It wasn't merely heard; it actively spread, indicating a compelling and undeniable event that compelled people to speak of it. The "rumour" here is a factual, weighty report of Jesus' miraculous power demonstrated at Nain.
* **"throughout all Judaea,":** This phrase specifies the primary geographical scope of the report's dissemination. Judaea was the southern province of Palestine, the heartland of Jewish religious and political life, including Jerusalem. The use of "all" (Greek _hólos_ or _pâs_) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the spread within this significant territory, suggesting that the news permeated every part of the region, reaching a vast number of people.
* **"and throughout all the region round about.":** This concluding phrase expands the geographical reach even further. "The region round about" (Greek _períchōros_) refers to the territories immediately adjacent to Judaea, which would include areas like Galilee to the north, Samaria, and potentially parts of the Decapolis or Perea. The repetition of "throughout all" reinforces the idea of an extensive and pervasive spread, demonstrating that the impact of Jesus' miracle at Nain transcended local boundaries and became a widely known phenomenon across the broader land of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this concise verse to emphasize the profound impact of Jesus' miracle. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrases "throughout all Judaea" and "throughout all the region round about." While not literally every single person in every single corner would have heard the news instantly, the expression powerfully conveys the idea of an incredibly widespread and pervasive dissemination of information, suggesting that the news was virtually inescapable. **Emphasis through Repetition** is also utilized with the repeated structure "throughout all... and throughout all..." This rhetorical device underscores the extensive geographical reach and the undeniable nature of Jesus' fame. Furthermore, there is a subtle form of **Synecdoche**, where the "rumour" (a part, the report) stands in for the larger reality of Jesus' miraculous power and the awe it inspired (the whole). The report itself becomes a symbol of the profound impact Jesus was having on the entire nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The widespread "rumour" of Jesus' power, stemming from His life-giving miracle at Nain, serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of God's kingdom and the Messiah's arrival. It demonstrates that divine truth and power, when authentically manifested, cannot be suppressed or confined; they possess an inherent, self-propagating quality that demands attention and spreads organically. This rapid dissemination of news about Jesus' authority over life and death foreshadows the even greater, global proclamation of His resurrection and the Gospel message. It highlights that God's plan of salvation is not a secret, but a public, transformative work designed to reach all people, beginning with the immediate impact in Israel and extending to the ends of the earth.

* [Matthew 4:24](/matthew/4-24 "Matthew 4:24 - Jesus' Fame Spreads to Syria")
* [Mark 1:28](/mark/1-28 "Mark 1:28 - Jesus' Fame Spreads in Galilee")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witness to the Ends of the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:17 offers a compelling reminder that the transformative power of God, when manifested through Jesus Christ, is inherently public and impactful. Just as the news of Jesus' miracle at Nain could not be contained, so too should the "rumour" of Christ's work in our lives and in the world spread today. This verse challenges believers to live lives so evidently touched by God's grace and power that others are compelled to notice and inquire. Our transformed character, our acts of compassion, and our verbal witness become the channels through which the "report" of Jesus continues to go forth throughout our communities and beyond. It underscores our responsibility to be active participants in spreading the good news, recognizing that the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done has a natural momentum that draws people to Him. We are called not to hoard the gospel but to participate in its uncontainable spread.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does the "rumour" or report of Christ's work spread through your life and actions today?**
* **What aspects of God's power and compassion, as demonstrated by Jesus, do you feel most compelled to share with others?**
* **How can we, as individuals and as a church, ensure that our witness points clearly to Jesus, rather than to ourselves or our own efforts?**
* **What "regions round about" in your own sphere of influence (family, workplace, community) need to hear the good news of Jesus?**

### FAQ
**What was the specific "rumour" mentioned in Luke 7:17?**

Answer: The "rumour" (Greek _lógos_) specifically refers to the astonishing miracle Jesus had just performed in the town of Nain, where He encountered a funeral procession and, moved with compassion, [raised a widow's only son from the dead](/luke/7-11-16 "Luke 7:11-16 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son"). This was not idle gossip but a factual, widely disseminated report of an undeniable demonstration of divine power, which caused great fear (reverent awe) and praise among those who witnessed it.

**How did news travel so quickly and widely in ancient Judaea without modern media?**

Answer: In the first century, news traveled primarily by word-of-mouth. People would share significant events in their daily interactions, in marketplaces, at wells, in synagogues, and along travel routes. Travelers, merchants, and pilgrims moving between towns and regions would carry stories with them. An event as extraordinary as raising the dead would have been recounted with fervent excitement, ensuring its rapid spread. The "region round about" would have been interconnected by such human networks.

**Why is the widespread nature of this "rumour" significant for Jesus' ministry?**

Answer: The widespread nature of the "rumour" is highly significant because it confirms Jesus' growing fame and the undeniable impact of His ministry. It demonstrated that His miracles were not isolated or private events but public confirmations of His divine authority and identity as a powerful prophet, and indeed, the Messiah. This broad recognition prepared the way for His further teaching, attracted large crowds, and intensified the attention of both His followers and His adversaries, fulfilling the prophetic expectation that God would [visit His people](/luke/7-16 "Luke 7:16 - Great Prophet Has Risen").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:17, detailing the widespread "rumour" of Jesus' power, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and global proclamation of His identity and work. The localized fame Jesus gained through miracles like raising the Nain widow's son pointed to His unique status as the Son of God and the promised Messiah, whose authority extends even over death itself. This initial, regional spread of His reputation is a microcosm of the worldwide spread of the Gospel following His crucifixion and resurrection. The "rumour" of His life-giving power culminates in the definitive "report" of His triumph over sin and death, which is the core of the Christian message. Just as the people of Judaea marveled at the prophet who had come among them, the New Testament testifies that [Jesus' name is now exalted above every name](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus Exalted Above All Names"), and the "report" of His saving grace is to be carried by His followers [to the ends of the earth](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witness to the Ends of the Earth"). The limited "rumour" of Luke 7:17 finds its glorious fulfillment in the universal truth that [God so loved the world that He gave His only Son](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"), a message that truly has "gone forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about," and indeed, to every nation.

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 9:26

And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Matthew 4:24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Mark 1:28

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Matthew 9:31

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Mark 6:14

¶ And king Herod heard [of him]; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Luke 7:14

And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare [him] stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.