Luke 9:37

¶ And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096}, that on {G1722} the next {G1836} day {G2250}, when they {G846} were come down {G2718} from {G575} the hill {G3735}, much {G4183} people {G3793} met {G4876} him {G846}.

The next day, as they were coming down out of the hill country, a large crowd met him.

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, Jesus was met by a large crowd.

And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

Luke 9:37 KJV marks a significant transition in Jesus' ministry, immediately following one of the most profound events in His earthly life. This verse brings the narrative from a moment of divine revelation back to the bustling reality of human need and public ministry.

Context of Luke 9:37

This verse directly follows the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on a high mountain (Luke 9:28-36). On the "next day," Jesus, along with Peter, James, and John, descended from this mountaintop experience where they had witnessed Jesus' glory, spoken with Moses and Elijah, and heard the voice of God the Father. The transition from such an intimate and awe-inspiring spiritual encounter to the immediate presence of "much people" highlights the dual nature of Jesus' mission: divine revelation and earthly service. The crowds were likely waiting at the base of the mountain, eager for His presence and power.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Transition from Glory to Ministry: Luke 9:37 serves as a literary bridge, moving from the ethereal glory of the Transfiguration to the practical, often challenging, demands of daily ministry among humanity. It underscores that even after profound spiritual experiences, the call to serve remains.
  • The Unceasing Need for Jesus: The phrase "much people met him" emphasizes the constant demand for Jesus' attention, healing, and teaching. Despite His intense spiritual experiences, the crowds were always present, representing the deep-seated needs of a fallen world. This theme is consistent throughout the Gospels, showing Jesus' compassion for the multitudes.
  • Jesus' Accessibility: Despite His divine nature and recent experience of glory, Jesus remained approachable and available to the common people. He did not retreat but descended to meet them, demonstrating His commitment to His mission and His love for humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "much people" in the KJV translates from the Greek ochlos polys (ὄχλος πολύς), which literally means "a great crowd" or "a large multitude." This emphasizes the sheer number of individuals who had gathered, highlighting the widespread interest in Jesus and the constant public demands on His time and energy. The "hill" or "mountain" (Greek: oros, ὄρος) is a general term, underscoring the contrast between the secluded, elevated place of divine encounter and the busy, lower ground of human activity.

Related Scriptures

  • The events immediately following this descent are crucial. The very next verse describes the healing of a demon-possessed boy, a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority over evil in the midst of the crowd's needs (Luke 9:38-42).
  • This return to the crowds is a common pattern in Jesus' ministry, where moments of prayer or retreat are followed by intense public engagement (e.g., Mark 1:35-39).

Practical Application

Luke 9:37 offers valuable lessons for believers today. It reminds us that spiritual highs and intimate moments with God, while vital, are often preparation for renewed engagement with the world. We are called to descend from our "mountaintops" of worship, study, or personal reflection and re-enter the sphere of human activity, ready to serve, share the Gospel, and address the needs around us. This verse encourages a balanced Christian life, integrating deep spiritual experience with active, compassionate service to others.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 17:14

    ¶ And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a [certain] man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

  • Matthew 17:20

    And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

  • Mark 9:14

    ¶ And when he came to [his] disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

  • Mark 9:29

    And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

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