Luke 6:19

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

And {G2532} the whole {G3956} multitude {G3793} sought {G2212} to touch {G680} him {G846}: for {G3754} there went {G1831} virtue {G1411} out {G3844} of him {G846}, and {G2532} healed {G2390} them all {G3956}.

and the whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power kept going out from him, healing everyone.

The entire crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.

And all the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed them all.

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 6:19 (KJV)

Luke 6:19 captures a profound moment in Jesus' earthly ministry, highlighting His divine power and the immense need of the people. Following the selection of His twelve apostles and the delivery of key teachings, Jesus descends to a level place where a vast multitude gathers, eager to experience His transformative presence.

Context

This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' significant teaching in the plain (Luke 6:17-18), which includes the blessings and woes. The crowd mentioned here had come from various regions—Judea, Jerusalem, and even the coastal areas of Tyre and Sidon—demontaining the widespread impact of Jesus' ministry. They sought Him for two primary reasons: to hear His words and to be healed of their diseases and vexations by unclean spirits. Verse 19 serves as the climax of this gathering, illustrating the direct and powerful outcome of their seeking.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Healing: The central theme is the miraculous power emanating from Jesus. The KJV uses the word "virtue," which in this context means inherent power, ability, or divine energy. This "virtue" was not merely moral goodness but a tangible force capable of bringing about physical restoration.
  • Seeking and Faith: The "whole multitude sought to touch him," indicating their strong belief in His capacity to heal. This active pursuit suggests a measure of faith, however rudimentary, that proximity to Jesus would bring relief. It underscores the human desire for divine intervention in times of suffering.
  • Universal Compassion: The phrase "healed them all" emphasizes Jesus' boundless compassion and unlimited capacity to restore. He did not discriminate or turn anyone away; His healing power was available to everyone who sought it, regardless of their background or the severity of their affliction.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in this verse is "virtue." In the original Greek, this is dynamis (δύναμις), from which we derive English words like "dynamic" and "dynamite." It signifies inherent power, strength, or miraculous ability. This is the same word used in Luke 8:46 when Jesus perceived that "virtue is gone out of me" after the woman with the issue of blood touched His garment. It highlights that Jesus' healing was not merely a passive act but an active outflow of divine energy.

Related Scriptures

  • The active seeking of the multitude to touch Jesus for healing is paralleled in other accounts of Jesus' ministry, such as in Mark 6:56, where many sought to touch even the border of His garment and were made whole.
  • Jesus' comprehensive healing of "all" who came to Him is a consistent theme throughout the Gospels, demonstrating His authority over all sickness and disease. Matthew 4:23 similarly describes Jesus "healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."

Practical Application

Luke 6:19 offers timeless encouragement. It reminds us that Jesus possesses inexhaustible power to heal and restore, not only physically but also spiritually and emotionally. Just as the multitude sought to touch Him, we are called to seek Him in faith, believing that His divine "virtue" or power is still available to address our deepest needs. This verse encourages us to draw near to Christ, trusting in His compassion and His ability to bring complete wholeness to our lives.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 14:36 (10 votes)

    And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

  • Mark 3:10 (8 votes)

    For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

  • Acts 5:15 (6 votes)

    Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

  • Acts 5:16 (6 votes)

    There came also a multitude [out] of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

  • Mark 6:56 (6 votes)

    And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

  • Mark 5:30 (6 votes)

    And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

  • Matthew 9:20 (5 votes)

    And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of his garment: