King James Version

What Does Luke 5:17 Mean?

Luke 5:17 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, w... — study this verse from Luke chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

Luke 5:17 · KJV


Context

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.

16

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

17

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

18

And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

19

And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It came to pass on certain day as he taught that Pharisees doctors of law sitting by come out of every town Galilee Judea Jerusalem and power of Lord was present to heal. Certain day specific occasion. Taught en didaskōn ongoing teaching. Pharisees Pharisaioi separated ones religious party. Doctors of law nomodidaskaloi Torah teachers scribes. Sitting by kathēmenoi seated position of learners or observers. Come out of every town ek pasēs kōmēs comprehensive representation. Galilee Judea Jerusalem religious centers. And kai conjunction. Power dynamis supernatural enabling. Of Lord kyriou Christ. Was present to heal eis to iasthai eautous available for healing. Religious leaders investigating Jesus. Not seeking truth but finding fault. Yet power present despite their hardness. God grace available even to opponents. Reformed theology distinguishes common grace (general benefits to all) from special grace (salvation to elect). Healing demonstrates common grace God kindness to believer unbeliever. Special grace saves. Common grace restrains evil provides temporal blessings.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pharisees numbered about 6000 first century. Strict Torah observers traditions. Doctors of law scribes professional scholars. Their presence indicates Jesus growing fame attracted official attention. Came from everywhere shows coordinated investigation. Sanhedrin likely sent representatives. Jesus taught in house (mentioned earlier) now crowded with curious crowds and hostile investigators. Power present suggests occasions when healing power more manifest. Not that Jesus power limited but Father determined when to manifest power. Every healing was sign pointing to Christ identity. Religious leaders witnessed undeniable miracles yet rejected Jesus. Hardness of heart blinds to truth. Early church faced similar opposition religious authorities (Sanhedrin) opposed apostles despite miracles. Truth is spiritual issue not merely intellectual.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does presence of investigating religious leaders demonstrate about growing opposition despite mounting evidence?
  2. How does power being present to heal even hardened opponents show God common grace and patience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 36 words
καὶ1 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐγένετο2 of 36

it came to pass

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν3 of 36

on

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

μιᾷ4 of 36
G1520

one

τῶν5 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμερῶν6 of 36

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

καὶ7 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτούς8 of 36

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἦν9 of 36

there were

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

διδάσκων10 of 36

teaching

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

καὶ11 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἦν12 of 36

there were

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

καθήμενοι13 of 36

sitting by

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

Φαρισαῖοι14 of 36

Pharisees

G5330

a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary

καὶ15 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

νομοδιδάσκαλοι16 of 36

doctors of the law

G3547

an expounder of the (jewish) law, i.e., a rabbi

οἳ17 of 36

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἦν18 of 36

there were

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἐληλυθότες19 of 36

come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐκ20 of 36

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

πάσης21 of 36

every

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

κώμης22 of 36

town

G2968

a hamlet (as if laid down)

τῆς23 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Γαλιλαίας24 of 36

of Galilee

G1056

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine

καὶ25 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰουδαίας26 of 36

Judaea

G2449

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

καὶ27 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰερουσαλήμ·28 of 36

Jerusalem

G2419

hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

καὶ29 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δύναμις30 of 36

the power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

κυρίου31 of 36

of the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἦν32 of 36

there were

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

εἰς33 of 36

present to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ34 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰᾶσθαι35 of 36

heal

G2390

to cure (literally or figuratively)

αὐτούς36 of 36

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 5:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 5:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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