But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Greek verb used here for "to be healed" implies that the crowds were actively seeking healing for themselves, not just passively receiving it. This shows their strong personal need and desire, highlighting how Jesus was meeting a deep felt human need beyond just spiritual teaching.
But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had just miraculously healed a leper and, despite telling him to keep quiet, the man couldn't help but spread the word. This led to an even greater buzz around Jesus, drawing massive crowds who were eager not just to hear his teachings but also to be physically healed. Jesus' desire to avoid being overwhelmed by the throngs and to instead seek solitude for prayer is the immediate backdrop to this verse.
Ever notice how good news—or even just intriguing news—travels fast? Jesus' reputation was no different, and it was quickly outrunning His own intentions.
Luke 5:15 tells us that "so much the more went there a fame abroad of him." This phrase, "so much the more," highlights an escalating renown. It wasn't just a whisper; it was a growing chorus. The healing of the leper (which we see in the preceding verses and in Matthew and Mark) had not silenced Jesus, but amplified the buzz. This rapid spread of His fame was partly due to the leper's own eagerness to share, even after Jesus asked him not to (as noted in Calvin's commentary). The crowds weren't just passively hearing; they were actively seeking Him out, driven by the amazing reports.
Jesus was a magnet, drawing people from all sides. But what was it about Him that captivated them so intensely?
The verse continues, "and great multitudes came together to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities." The crowds had a twofold focus: hearing Jesus and being healed. This isn't just about physical ailments; "infirmities" can also speak to deeper weaknesses and brokenness. It’s clear that Jesus’ teaching was compelling, but the immediate, tangible results of healing were also a massive draw. This dual desire shows people were looking for both spiritual truth and physical relief. As Bengel points out, the Greek word for 'to be healed' can imply that they were actively seeking this healing for themselves. This highlights the desperate need and hope that people brought to Jesus.
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Jesus’ growing fame was a double-edged sword. While it revealed His power, it also presented significant challenges to His mission.
The commentaries highlight a tension here. The very fame generated by miracles like the healing of the leper threatened to overshadow Jesus’ primary mission of teaching. Meyer notes that Jesus, in response to this overwhelming attention, "withdrew himself." The scholars suggest that the crowds, drawn by the spectacle of healing, were in danger of missing the deeper message. It was a "hindrance to his work of teaching," as one commentary puts it. Jesus had more important work than just being a miracle-worker; He was there to reveal God’s kingdom. This led Him to seek solitude, as verse 16 tells us, to pray and refocus before re-engaging with His mission away from the immediate pressures of the masses.
Understand the original words
astheneia · Greek Noun
Physical sickness, weakness, or frailty. In the ministry of Jesus, these are often the objects of his healing power, demonstrating his authority over the consequences of the fall.
hypochōreō · Greek Verb
To move away, retire, or depart from a place, often to seek solitude or separation from the crowds. In Jesus' ministry, this act signifies deliberate removal to maintain communion with God.
erēmos · Greek Adjective/Noun
An uninhabited, solitary, or desert region. Biblically, these areas provided a place of quiet, away from human activity, ideal for spiritual discipline and communion with God.
proseuchomai · Greek Verb
The act of communing with God, involving adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. It is a central discipline in the life of Christ, demonstrating dependence upon the Father.
The explosion of Jesus' fame, while a testament to his power, also created a challenge: crowds seeking physical healing sometimes overshadowed his primary mission of teaching and spiritual transformation, forcing him to seek solitude.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus begins public ministry in Galilee
Jesus starts teaching, healing, and gathering disciples in the region of Galilee, performing numerous miracles.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus heals a leper
Jesus miraculously heals a man with leprosy, commanding him to tell no one but to show himself to the priest. This man disobeys and spreads the news widely.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' fame spreads rapidly
Despite Jesus' instruction to keep his healing private, the leper's story causes his fame to spread, drawing large crowds seeking healing and teaching.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus withdraws to pray
To escape the overwhelming crowds and focus on his mission, Jesus often retreats to lonely places to pray.
This passage immediately precedes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and highlights the same kind of widespread fame and attraction of crowds seeking healing and teaching, setting the stage for Jesus' ministry.
John 6:2This verse shows a similar pattern where Jesus' miracles, particularly feeding the multitude, draw enormous crowds who are primarily seeking physical provision and healing, mirroring the crowds in Luke 5:15.
Acts 4:16-18This passage demonstrates the ripple effect of Jesus' healing ministry, showing how the disciples' continued miraculous acts also brought attention and stirred up opposition, echoing the fame Jesus received.
Isaiah 53:3-4This prophetic passage describes the 'man of sorrows' who would be despised and rejected, yet bear our infirmities and sorrows, giving theological depth to Jesus' role as a healer of both physical and spiritual ailments.
pulpitLuke 5:15: "But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities."
Verse 15. - But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. It is evident that his wishes and commands were neglected, possibly out of a mistaken feeling of gratitude. The result was that his work of teaching was hindered by the crowds who resort…
jfbLuke 5:15: "But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities."
- But so, &c.—(See Mr 1:45).
The Greek verb used here for "to be healed" implies that the crowds were actively seeking healing for themselves, not just passively receiving it. This shows their strong personal need and desire, highlighting how Jesus was meeting a deep felt human need beyond just spiritual teaching.
Jesus had just miraculously healed a leper and, despite telling him to keep quiet, the man couldn't help but spread the word. This led to an even greater buzz around Jesus, drawing massive crowds who were eager not just to hear his teachings but also to be physically healed. Jesus' desire to avoid being overwhelmed by the throngs and to instead seek solitude for prayer is the immediate backdrop to this verse.
Jesus had just miraculously healed a leper and, despite telling him to keep quiet, the man couldn't help but spread the word. This led to an even greater buzz around Jesus, drawing massive crowds who were eager not just to hear his teachings but also to be physically healed. Jesus' desire to avoid being overwhelmed by the throngs and to instead seek solitude for prayer is the immediate backdrop to this verse.
"But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray." — The Greek verb used here for "to be healed" implies that the crowds were actively seeking healing for themselves, not just passively receiving it. This shows their strong personal need and desire, hi…
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Last reviewed October 2026