17And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a large crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all over Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, [6:18] who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those being harassed by unclean spirits were also being cured. [6:19] And all the crowd was seeking to touch him, because power was going out from him and healing them all.
LUK 6:17-19
Jesus Heals the Multitudes
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, large crowds gathering in open, level spaces like (a flat plain) were common for public teachings and healings, especially in rural Galilee. Such gatherings often included diverse groups: Jewish disciples, urban elites from Jerusalem, and even Gentiles from coastal cities like Tyre and Sidon, reflecting the region's cultural and religious mix. Healing practices were deeply tied to perceptions of divine power , and itinerant healers were viewed as mediators of such power. The mention of unclean spirits reflects widespread belief in spiritual afflictions, often attributed to demonic forces. The imperfect tense of (was healing) suggests an ongoing, dynamic process, emphasizing Jesus' continuous, accessible power. The crowd's desire to touch Him aligns with 1st-century beliefs in physical contact as a conduit for healing power, common in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. This scene underscores Jesus' role as a healer whose authority transcends regional and cultural boundaries.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
LUK 6:17
- KJV
- 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;
- BSB
- Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, along with a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon.
- Koinōnos
- And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a large crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all over Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon,
LUK 6:18
- KJV
- And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
- BSB
- They had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, and those troubled by unclean spirits were healed.
- Koinōnos
- who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those being harassed by unclean spirits were also being cured.
LUK 6:19
- KJV
- And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
- BSB
- The entire crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.
- Koinōnos
- And all the crowd was seeking to touch him, because power was going out from him and healing them all.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.”
Cited to ground: He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.
Translator's notes
LUK 6:17
- level.:The word translated 'level' describes a flat, open area, often a plain, in contrast to mountainous or hilly terrain. It suggests a wide, accessible space where a large crowd could gather.
LUK 6:18
- being troubled:The term translated 'being troubled' implies being harassed or bothered, often by a persistent annoyance or disturbance. It suggests a state of being continually vexed or distressed.
LUK 6:19
- power:The word translated 'power' refers to inherent ability or capability, often implying miraculous or supernatural strength. It's the kind of power that enables extraordinary feats.
- was healing:The word translated 'was healing' describes a process of restoring to health, often from a state of injury or disease. It emphasizes the act of making whole or sound.