King James Version

What Does Luke 6:17 Mean?

Luke 6:17 in the King James Version says “And he came down with them, and stood in the plain , and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people o... — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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;

Luke 6:17 · KJV


Context

15

Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

16

And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

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;

18

And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.

19

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He came down with them stood in plain and company his disciples great multitude people out all Judaea Jerusalem seacoast Tyre Sidon which came hear him healed diseases. Came down kataba mountain. Stood estē. In plain topou pedinou level place. Company ochlos company. Disciples mathētōn learners. Great multitude plēthos poly large crowd. Out of ek from. All Judaea Ioudaias. Jerusalem Ierousalēm. Seacoast paraliou coast. Tyre Tyrou. Sidon Sidōnos Phoenician cities Gentile territory. Came ēlthon traveled. Hear akousai listen teaching. Healed iasthenai cured. Diseases nosōn sicknesses. Jesus fame spreading beyond Israel. Gentiles coming. Foreshadows Gentile mission. Crowds mixed motives hearing teaching receiving healing. Reformed theology recognizes mixed motives in coming to Christ. Eventually many will fall away when teaching becomes hard.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Geography shows spread. Judaea south. Jerusalem center. Tyre Sidon north Gentile coast. Jesus attracting wide audience. Sermon Plain (Luke 6:17-49) parallels Sermon Mount (Matthew 5-7). Same occasion different angle or different occasions similar teaching. Crowds pressed to touch Jesus (v. 19). Desperation for healing. Jesus taught and healed addressing both spiritual physical needs. Not all stayed. John 6 many left when teaching became difficult. Seeds different soils parable explains mixed responses. Early church experienced same crowds varying commitments. Modern church megachurch crowds versus committed disciples. Difference between consumers and disciples. Need move people from crowds to commitment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does crowds coming from wide geography including Gentile regions foreshadow about gospel mission?
  2. How should church address mixed motives of those who come for benefits versus genuine discipleship?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 39 words
καὶ1 of 39

And

G2532

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

καταβὰς2 of 39

he came down

G2597

to descend (literally or figuratively)

μετ'3 of 39

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτῶν,4 of 39

him

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

ἔστη5 of 39

and stood

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ6 of 39

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τόπου7 of 39
G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

πεδινοῦ8 of 39

the plain

G3977

level (as easy for the feet)

καὶ9 of 39

And

G2532

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

ὄχλος10 of 39

the company

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

μαθητῶν11 of 39

disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτῶν,12 of 39

him

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

καὶ13 of 39

And

G2532

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

πλῆθος14 of 39

multitude

G4128

a fulness, i.e., a large number, throng, populace

πολὺ15 of 39

a great

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

τοῦ16 of 39
G3588

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

λαοῦ17 of 39

of people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

ἀπὸ18 of 39

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

πάσης19 of 39

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τῆς20 of 39
G3588

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

Ἰουδαίας21 of 39

Judaea

G2449

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

καὶ22 of 39

And

G2532

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

Ἰερουσαλὴμ23 of 39

Jerusalem

G2419

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

καὶ24 of 39

And

G2532

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

τῆς25 of 39
G3588

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

παραλίου26 of 39

from the sea coast

G3882

beside the salt (sea), i.e., maritime

Τύρου27 of 39

of Tyre

G5184

the city of tyre

καὶ28 of 39

And

G2532

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

Σιδῶνος29 of 39

Sidon

G4605

sidon (i.e., tsidon), a place in palestine

οἵ30 of 39

which

G3739

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

ἦλθον31 of 39

came

G2064

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

ἀκοῦσαί32 of 39

to hear

G191

to hear (in various senses)

αὐτῶν,33 of 39

him

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

καὶ34 of 39

And

G2532

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

ἰαθῆναι35 of 39

to be healed

G2390

to cure (literally or figuratively)

ἀπὸ36 of 39

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν37 of 39
G3588

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

νόσων38 of 39

diseases

G3554

a malady (rarely figuratively, of moral disability)

αὐτῶν,39 of 39

him

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 6:17 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 6:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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