Luke 6:17
And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to miss that Luke places Jesus's descent and healing of the sick before He begins teaching the gathered crowds. This shows that for Jesus, addressing physical suffering and demonstrating His power to heal were integral to His ministry, not just a prelude to delivering doctrine.
After spending a night in prayer on a mountain, Jesus descended with his disciples to a level area. There, a large crowd, including those from distant regions like Tyre and Sidon, had gathered, seeking healing and eager to hear his words. This gathering set the stage for the significant teachings and encounters that followed.
Jesus spent the night in prayer, then descended to meet a diverse crowd. What does this movement reveal about His ministry?
Luke highlights Jesus' movement from a place of intense prayer on a mountain (implied by context, though not explicitly stated in this verse) to a 'level place' or 'plain.' This wasn't just a change in elevation; it was a transition from deep communion with the Father to engaging with the needs of humanity.
The crowd wasn't just local; it spanned vast regions. What does this diverse gathering tell us about Jesus' mission?
The verse paints a picture of an incredibly diverse crowd converging on Jesus, coming 'from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon.' This isn't just a local gathering; it's a microcosm of the world Jesus came to save.
Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
A student, learner, or follower who adheres to the teachings and example of a master. In the New Testament, it denotes those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and seek to follow Him.
This event occurs after Jesus has chosen his core twelve apostles, following a significant period of prayer. The vast crowd, drawn from a wide geographical area including Gentile regions like Tyre and Sidon, highlights the growing fame and impact of Jesus' ministry, both in his miraculous power and his teaching.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Spends Night in Prayer
Jesus withdraws to a mountain to pray all night, seeking divine guidance before making crucial decisions.
Early 1st century AD
Selection of the Twelve Apostles
After his night of prayer, Jesus calls and appoints the twelve apostles from his broader group of disciples.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Heals Many on a Level Place
Jesus descends to a level area on the mountainside and heals a great multitude of people who came from various regions.
This passage describes Jesus going up on a mountain to teach, which is a parallel setting to Luke's account of him coming down to a level place, suggesting different perspectives on the same teaching event.
Isaiah 40:3The mention of a 'level place' or 'plain' can evoke the prophetic call for a 'highway in the desert' to be prepared, symbolizing God's coming presence and accessibility to all people, even those from distant lands.
Luke 9:11This verse describes Jesus speaking to a large crowd that had followed him, similar to the multitude mentioned in Luke 6:17, highlighting Jesus' widespread appeal and the needs of the people.
Acts 10:34Peter's declaration that God 'shows no partiality' resonates with the diverse geographical origins of the crowd gathered in Luke 6:17, emphasizing that Jesus' ministry was for all people.
clarkeLuke 6:17: "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;"
And stood in the plain - In Matthew 5:1 , which is supposed to be the parallel place, our Lord is represented as delivering this sermon on the mountain; and this has induced some to think that the sermon mentioned here by Luke, thoug…
pulpitLuke 6:17: "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;"
Verse 17. - And he came down with them, and stood in the plain. Leaving the uppermost slopes of the hill - the modern Kurm Hattin, or "Horns of Hattin" - where he had spent the night alone in prayer - Jesus probably descended a littl…
It's easy to miss that Luke places Jesus's descent and healing of the sick before He begins teaching the gathered crowds. This shows that for Jesus, addressing physical suffering and demonstrating His power to heal were integral to His ministry, not just a prelude to delivering doctrine.
After spending a night in prayer on a mountain, Jesus descended with his disciples to a level area. There, a large crowd, including those from distant regions like Tyre and Sidon, had gathered, seeking healing and eager to hear his words. This gathering set the stage for the significant teachings and encounters that followed.
After spending a night in prayer on a mountain, Jesus descended with his disciples to a level area. There, a large crowd, including those from distant regions like Tyre and Sidon, had gathered, seeking healing and eager to hear his words. This gathering set the stage for the significant teachings and encounters that followed.
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Early 1st century AD
Sermon on the Mount/Plain
Surrounded by his disciples and the healed multitude, Jesus delivers a major discourse containing profound teachings on the Kingdom of God.
Early 1st century AD
Return to Capernaum
Following the sermon and healing, Jesus returns to Capernaum, where he is approached by a centurion seeking healing for his servant.
"And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon," — It's easy to miss that Luke places Jesus's descent and healing of the sick before He begins teaching the gathered crowds. This shows that for Jesus, addressing physical suffering and demonstrating…
