Luke 6 17

Luke 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;

Luke 6:17 nkjv

And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,

Luke 6:17 niv

He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon,

Luke 6:17 esv

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,

Luke 6:17 nlt

When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 17 Meaning

Luke 6:17 describes Jesus, after choosing His twelve apostles, descending from a higher place to a level plain where He is met by a diverse and immense crowd. This gathering consisted both of His numerous disciples and a vast multitude of people who had come from various regions, including distant Gentile territories, specifically to hear His teachings and to receive healing from their physical ailments. It marks the setting for Jesus' public ministry and the delivery of what is often called the Sermon on the Plain, showcasing His dual role as a profound teacher and a powerful healer to a wide audience, encompassing both Jewish and Gentile seekers.

Luke 6 17 Context

Luke 6:17 immediately follows Jesus' significant act of choosing the twelve apostles (Lk 6:12-16) after a night of prayer. This selection solidifies His core leadership group. Before this, Jesus has been active in Galilee, demonstrating His authority over Sabbath traditions and healing (Lk 6:1-11). The move from choosing His closest followers on a mountain to teaching a broad public on a "level place" signals a transition from intense personal formation to widespread public ministry. The Sermon on the Plain, which begins in verse 20, is Luke's account of Jesus' foundational teachings, paralleling Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. The inclusion of people from Tyre and Sidon highlights Luke's characteristic emphasis on the universal nature of God's salvation, extending beyond the Jewish people to Gentiles, a theme prevalent throughout his Gospel (e.g., Lk 2:32, Lk 3:6). This scene vividly portrays the intense popular interest in Jesus as both a spiritual teacher and a miraculous healer, laying the groundwork for His extensive public instruction.

Luke 6 17 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ, Kai): A common conjunction, linking this event directly to the preceding selection of the twelve apostles, indicating continuity in Jesus' ministry flow.
• He came down (καταβὰς, katabas): From the verb καταβαίνω (katabainō), meaning "to come down" or "to descend." This signifies movement from the elevated place where Jesus had spent the night in prayer and chose His apostles (implicitly a mountain, per Lk 6:12). It suggests an accessible and humble posture for public ministry, contrasting with Matthew's mountain teaching.
• with them (μετ’ αὐτῶν, met' autōn): Refers to the newly chosen twelve apostles. Their constant presence with Jesus emphasizes their ongoing training and witness to His public ministry.
• and stood (ἔστη, estē): From the verb ἵστημι (histēmi), "to stand, set up." Indicates Jesus taking a deliberate, firm stance. He didn't just pass through, but positioned Himself to address the crowd.
• on a level place (ἐπὶ τόπου πεδινοῦ, epi topou pedinou): τόπος (topos) means "place"; πεδινός (pedinos) means "level, flat, pertaining to a plain." This specifies the geographic setting, a significant detail that distinguishes Luke's account from Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. The "level place" implies a wide, accessible area, suitable for a very large gathering, reinforcing the inclusivity of Jesus' audience.
• and a great (καὶ πλῆθος πολύ, kai plēthos poly): πλῆθος (plēthos) means "multitude, great number, throng"; πολύ (poly) means "much, many." This emphasizes the sheer volume of people attracted to Jesus, showcasing His wide renown and drawing power.
• crowd of his disciples (μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, mathētōn autou): μαθητής (mathētēs) means "disciple, learner." This group implies those who followed Jesus more closely and intentionally, distinct from the broader general multitude. They were His ongoing learners, though not necessarily part of the inner Twelve.
• and a great multitude (καὶ πλῆθος πολὺ, kai plēthos poly): Repetition of πλῆθος πολὺ underscores the overwhelming number of people beyond just the immediate disciples, indicating a general public following.
• of people (τοῦ λαοῦ, tou laou): λαός (laos) refers to "the people," typically the common people, often referring to the nation of Israel, but in Luke often broader, even humanity.
• from all Judea (ἀπὸ πάσης τῆς Ἰουδαίας, apo pasēs tēs Ioudaias): Judea was the southern region of Israel, including Jerusalem, showing Jesus' influence extended beyond Galilee.
• and Jerusalem (καὶ Ἱερουσαλήμ, kai Hierousalēm): The capital and religious center, whose inhabitants traveled to see Him, underscoring the significance of Jesus' activities even to those steeped in traditional religion.
• and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon (καὶ τῆς παραλίου Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος, kai tēs paraliou Tyrou kai Sidōnos): Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician cities located north of Galilee, known for their Gentile populations. Their presence explicitly highlights the international, non-Jewish appeal of Jesus' ministry, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the kingdom of God, a key Lukan theme.
• who had come (οἵτινες ἦλθον, hoitines ēldon): Explains the purpose of their travel and gathering.
• to hear him (ἀκοῦσαι αὐτοῦ, akousai autou): The primary motivation for many in the crowd was to listen to Jesus' teachings, demonstrating spiritual hunger or intellectual curiosity.
• and to be healed (καὶ ἰαθῆναι, kai iathēnai): From ἰάομαι (iaomai), "to heal, cure." This indicates the second major motivation: seeking physical restoration from sickness.
• of their diseases (ἀπὸ τῶν νόσων αὐτῶν, apo tōn nosōn autōn): νόσος (nosos) means "disease, sickness, illness." Acknowledges the widespread physical suffering that people brought to Jesus.

Words-group Analysis:

• "He came down with them and stood on a level place": This phrase signals Jesus' transition from a private, consecrated time with His newly chosen apostles to an accessible public ministry setting. The "level place" makes Him approachable, contrasting with hierarchical settings and demonstrating a desire to engage with a vast populace. It visually sets the stage for the teaching that follows, accessible to all.
• "a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people": Luke differentiates between two groups: disciples (followers with varying degrees of commitment) and multitude (general populace). This indicates both an inner circle forming and an outer, curious public seeking interaction with Jesus. The repetition of "great" underscores the overwhelming number of attendees.
• "from all Judea and Jerusalem and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon": This geographical summary demonstrates the wide-ranging influence and fame of Jesus. The inclusion of Judea (southern Israel, including the capital Jerusalem) shows His appeal in established religious centers. The significant mention of Gentile areas (Tyre and Sidon) points to the universal scope of Jesus' mission, signaling that God's work in Christ extends beyond ethnic or religious boundaries. This sets the tone for a Gospel that emphasizes God's outreach to all humanity.
• "who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases": These two purposes reveal the twin magnetic draws of Jesus: His profound and authoritative teaching (to hear) and His miraculous healing power (to be healed). This highlights Jesus' comprehensive ministry addressing both the spiritual/intellectual and physical needs of humanity, confirming Him as both prophet and Healer.

Luke 6 17 Bonus section

• "Level Place" vs. "Mountain": While Matthew records Jesus giving a similar sermon on a "mountain," Luke explicitly mentions a "level place." This distinction is not necessarily a contradiction but likely reflects different narrative emphases or specific locations of different teachings. Luke's "level place" (pedinou) can be understood as a large plateau or accessible plain, fitting his theme of Jesus being approachable by all people. It sets a democratic stage, unlike the more exclusive "mountain" setting sometimes associated with divine revelation to chosen few (e.g., Sinai).
• The Power of Proximity: The statement implies a movement towards Jesus from disparate regions. Their coming indicates intentionality and belief in His unique capabilities, not merely incidental presence. The sheer effort to reach Him suggests desperation for His healing and a hunger for His message, regardless of their background or current commitment level.
• Holistic Ministry: This verse, and indeed much of Jesus' ministry, demonstrates a holistic approach where spiritual truth (hearing) and physical well-being (healing) are intertwined. Jesus cared for both the soul and the body, understanding that human brokenness manifests in both realms. The desire for healing often opened the heart to hearing, and hearing His word brought ultimate healing to the spirit.
• Foreshadowing Acts: The gathering from Judea, Jerusalem, and Gentile lands strongly foreshadows the geographical progression of the gospel outlined in Acts 1:8, where the disciples are commissioned to be witnesses from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jesus' ministry here is a microcosm of the church's future global mission.

Luke 6 17 Commentary

Luke 6:17 presents a pivotal moment, marking Jesus' transition from an intense period of prayer and disciple selection to expansive public ministry. The "level place" (πεδινὸς τόπος) serves as a symbolic and practical stage for the upcoming Sermon on the Plain, portraying Jesus as approachable and His message accessible to everyone, not just an elite few on a mountaintop. This inclusiveness is dramatically underscored by the geographic reach of the crowd—from the heartland of Judea and Jerusalem to the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon. Luke consistently emphasizes this universal aspect of salvation, depicting Jesus as one whose redemptive reach extends far beyond traditional Jewish boundaries.

The immense crowds, comprised of both dedicated disciples and a vast multitude, were drawn by a dual purpose: to hear him and to be healed. This illustrates Jesus' unique authority and power over both spiritual truth and physical suffering. People yearned for wisdom and found it in His words, and they were desperate for restoration and found it in His touch. The interplay of hearing and healing demonstrates Jesus’ comprehensive ministry that addressed the whole person. The physical maladies and their cures were not merely acts of compassion but also tangible demonstrations of the incoming kingdom of God and the divine authority of Jesus, affirming the authenticity of His message and identity. This scene perfectly sets the stage for the Beatitudes and woes that follow, showing Jesus bringing forth His transformative word to a truly universal audience.