Luke 5:15 kjv

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.

Luke 5:15 nkjv

However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.

Luke 5:15 niv

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

Luke 5:15 esv

But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.

Luke 5:15 nlt

But despite Jesus' instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.

Luke 5 verses

Luke 5 15 Meaning

Luke 5:15 describes the inverse effect of Jesus' command to a healed leper (Luke 5:14) to tell no one: instead of quietness, the news about Jesus spread even more rapidly and widely. His reputation grew exponentially, causing large multitudes to converge upon Him, eager to hear His teaching and receive healing from Him. It highlights the undeniable and increasing impact of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating that even His attempts at discretion could not contain the widespread interest and spiritual hunger for His presence.

Luke 5 15 Context

Luke 5:15 stands as a pivot point in the early public ministry of Jesus. Preceding it, Jesus calls His first disciples (5:1-11), heals a man with leprosy (5:12-14), and then instructs the healed man to show himself to the priests and offer the prescribed sacrifice, with a strict command not to tell anyone else about the healing. Verse 15 reveals the futility of this command, not because the man directly disobeyed in telling others, but because the news of Jesus' miraculous power simply could not be contained. The preceding verse, Luke 5:14, highlights Jesus' respect for the Mosaic Law and the necessity of verification for cleansing. The ensuing verse, Luke 5:16, describes Jesus' response to this surging popularity: withdrawal to deserted places for prayer, illustrating His need for spiritual replenishment and quiet time amidst the escalating demands of His public ministry. The immediate historical context places Jesus operating in Galilee, engaging directly with common people who were experiencing physical suffering, offering them direct healing alongside teaching. The prevailing Jewish belief anticipated a Messiah, but not necessarily one who performed widespread public healings in this manner; some, especially religious leaders, would soon begin questioning His authority and methods, creating polemics. The vast influx of people seeking Jesus posed a direct challenge to the quiet and structured initiation of His ministry, highlighting the powerful, organic, and divinely propelled expansion of the gospel message even at this early stage.

Luke 5 15 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλά, alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or reversal. Here, it contrasts with Jesus' command to secrecy in Lk 5:14, highlighting that the opposite effect occurred.
• so much the more (μᾶλλον μᾶλλον, mallon mallon): This repetition of mallon (more) serves to intensify the meaning, signifying "more and more," "all the more," or "rather." It emphasizes the rapid, increasing, and unstoppable spread of the report. It suggests an accelerating, almost uncontrolled, momentum.
• went abroad (διήρχετο, diērcheto): Imperfect tense of dierchomai, meaning "to go through," "to spread through." The imperfect tense denotes continuous or repeated action in the past, implying that the spreading was ongoing and widespread. It pictures the report traversing through different regions.
• the report (ὁ λόγος, ho logos): Logos here refers specifically to "the word," "the report," "the news." It denotes the information about Jesus and His activities, particularly His miraculous works. This is not yet "the Word of God" in its theological sense as the gospel, but it is the testimony of His works that prompts people to seek Him out, preparing them for His deeper message.
• concerning him (περὶ αὐτοῦ, peri autou): Literally "about Him" or "around Him." Specifies the subject of the spreading report—Jesus Himself.
• and great multitudes (καὶ ὄχλοι πολλοί, kai ochloi polloi): Ochlos refers to a large crowd or throng, often characterized by lack of definite organization. The adjective polloi means "many" or "great." The combination signifies throngs of people. This emphasizes the sheer volume of people flocking to Jesus.
• came together (συνήρχοντο, synērchonto): Imperfect tense of synerchomai, "to come together," "to assemble." Like diērcheto, the imperfect tense conveys continuous and repeated assembly. People were consistently gathering in large numbers.
• to hear (ἀκούειν, akouein): Infinitive of purpose, indicating what the crowds came to do. Akouein means "to hear," implying listening to His teaching, parables, and words of authority. This demonstrates a hunger for His wisdom beyond just physical healing.
• and to be healed (καὶ θεραπεύεσθαι, kai therapeuesthai): Infinitive of purpose. Therapeuesthai means "to be healed," "to be cured." This shows the pragmatic, immediate need driving many to Jesus, often linked to the undeniable physical demonstration of His power.
• by him (ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ, ap’ autou): "From Him" or "by Him," indicating Jesus as the source of the healing power.

Words-group analysis:

• But so much the more went abroad the report concerning him: This phrase strongly conveys the divine hand in the spreading of Jesus' fame. Despite any human attempt to contain it, God's plan ensured His public visibility and attraction to draw people to Him. It showcases the inherent power of the Messiah's actions and presence that could not be silenced.
• and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him: This highlights the dual nature of Jesus' appeal and ministry. People were drawn by both His teaching (spiritual food) and His healing power (physical relief). It underscores His holistic approach to ministry, addressing both the soul and the body, fulfilling prophecy (e.g., Isa 61:1). The order, "to hear and to be healed," might suggest the primary importance of His word, or simply list the concurrent reasons for their gathering.

Luke 5 15 Bonus section

The irony present in Luke 5:14-15 reveals the divine design overpowering human limitations. Jesus, for strategic or theological reasons (e.g., to manage the crowds, avoid premature confrontation, emphasize the spiritual kingdom over a political one, allow space for prayer), sought discretion. However, the profound impact of His healing work transcended any such attempts. This suggests a principle in the spread of God's Kingdom: genuine manifestation of divine power and truth has an undeniable, self-propagating quality. The verse also underscores that people were drawn by a combination of curiosity, need for healing, and a hunger for profound teaching. Not all in the multitudes became disciples, but their coming signifies the fertile ground for the seed of the Gospel. It previews the immense challenges and physical toll that Jesus' popularity would exert on Him, often forcing Him to retreat (Lk 5:16).

Luke 5 15 Commentary

Luke 5:15 encapsulates the escalating impact of Jesus’ early ministry. Despite His deliberate instructions for the healed leper to remain quiet and observe the Law (Lk 5:14), the sheer power and demonstrable love inherent in Jesus' miracles made silence impossible. The "report" (logos) concerning Him spread not by deliberate proclamation, but organically through astonishment and desperation. This verse sets up a core tension in Jesus’ ministry: His desire for focused, quiet instruction for His disciples and personal prayer (as seen in Lk 5:16), contrasted with the overwhelming public demand for His miracles and teaching. The "multitudes" arriving to "hear and be healed" represent humanity's deep-seated needs – for truth (hearing) and for restoration (healing). It demonstrates the authenticity and potency of Jesus' anointing; His power and message were so compelling they transcended ordinary human limitations and plans, fulfilling the prophetic expectation of God's Anointed One attracting the masses (Isa 2:2). This verse serves as a crucial bridge, showcasing Jesus' growing fame which inevitably brings both deeper opportunity and intensified opposition.