Luke 6 18

Luke 6:18 kjv

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

Luke 6:18 nkjv

as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.

Luke 6:18 niv

who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured,

Luke 6:18 esv

who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.

Luke 6:18 nlt

They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 18 Meaning

Luke 6:18 declares that among the large crowds who gathered around Jesus, there were many who suffered from illnesses and others who were oppressed by "unclean spirits." The verse powerfully states that all who came to Him with these afflictions "were healed," highlighting Jesus' boundless compassion and His authoritative power over all forms of human suffering, both physical and spiritual.

Luke 6 18 Context

Luke 6:18 follows immediately after Jesus chose His twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-16) and came down from the mountain to a "level place" (Luke 6:17). This gathering included a diverse "large crowd of His disciples" and a "great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon." This immediate context sets the scene, indicating a widespread interest in Jesus' ministry beyond just Galilee. The healings described in verse 18 serve as a demonstration of Jesus' divine power and authority, which precede and authenticate His teachings delivered in the "Sermon on the Level Place" (Luke 6:20-49). Historically and culturally, in 1st-century Jewish society, various forms of illness and particularly what was identified as demonic oppression were seen as severe afflictions, sometimes associated with sin or ritual impurity. Jesus' power to heal all such conditions without magical rites and simply through His word or touch showcased His unique Messianic identity and supreme authority over all creation, including the spiritual realm.

Luke 6 18 Word analysis

• and those who were troubled: Greek: kai hoi enochloumenoi (καὶ οἱ ἐνοχλούμενοι).
  • kai (καὶ): "and." This conjunction links the previously mentioned sick (Luke 6:17) with this new category of afflicted, indicating they were also part of the great multitude seeking Jesus.
  • hoi (οἱ): "the ones." A definite article specifying this group.
  • enochloumenoi (ἐνοχλούμενοι): Present passive participle of enochleō (ἐνοχλέω), meaning "to trouble, annoy, harass, torment, disturb." The passive voice signifies that they were being tormented by an external force, highlighting their helplessness and the oppressive nature of the affliction. The present tense emphasizes the ongoing state of distress. This word specifically denotes persistent harassment and goes beyond mere illness to suggest an oppressive presence.
• with unclean spirits: Greek: pneumatōn akathartōn (πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων).
  • pneumatōn (πνευμάτων): Genitive plural of pneuma (πνεῦμα), meaning "spirit." In this New Testament context, it refers to malevolent supernatural beings, often synonymous with demons, distinct from human spirits or the Holy Spirit.
  • akathartōn (ἀκαθάρτων): Genitive plural of akathartos (ἀκάθαρτος), meaning "unclean, impure, foul." This term has strong religious and ritual connotations in Judaism, designating anything ritually defiling and therefore unfit for proximity to God or participation in holy acts. Applied to spirits, it highlights their inherent defiling nature and their opposition to God's holiness and purity, contrasting them sharply with Christ's immaculate nature. This term is distinct from general evil, implying a specific type of malevolence that pollutes and separates.
• And they were healed: Greek: kai etherapeuonto (καὶ ἐθεραπεύοντο).
  • kai (καὶ): "And." Links the subjects with the divine action.
  • etherapeuonto (ἐθεραπεύοντο): Imperfect passive indicative of therapeuō (θεραπεύω), meaning "to heal, cure, restore to health, serve, treat." The imperfect tense is significant here, implying continuous or repeated action. It suggests that healings were not a single event but an ongoing process, with many individuals constantly coming forward and receiving healing. The passive voice indicates that the people were recipients of the healing, emphasizing that Jesus was the active agent. This verb can encompass both physical healing and liberation from spiritual oppression, signifying Jesus' complete restoration.
• "those who were troubled with unclean spirits": This phrase captures the pervasive spiritual warfare that characterized the age and humanity's vulnerability. It highlights that Jesus' mission addressed not just physical ailments but also the unseen, spiritual bondages that held people captive, signifying a profound spiritual liberation that accompanied His physical healings. The use of "unclean" emphasizes the defiling, contaminating nature of these demonic forces, against which Jesus' presence acted as a purifying agent.
• "And they were healed": This concise declaration speaks volumes about Jesus' authority and efficacy. It's a statement of successful divine intervention. The active presence of suffering and malevolent forces is immediately and effectively met with complete restoration through Jesus' power. The ongoing nature suggested by the imperfect tense underlines the continuous manifestation of God's Kingdom through Christ.

Luke 6 18 Bonus section

• Luke frequently underscores Jesus' unique authority over demons, consistently using the phrase "unclean spirits" to highlight the ritual impurity and moral defilement they represent, against which Jesus is the perfect embodiment of purity. This narrative choice by Luke serves to distinguish Jesus' ministry from mere religious rituals or practices of exorcism by His contemporaries.
• The crowds' origins, explicitly noted in Luke 6:17, from Judea, Jerusalem, Tyre, and Sidon (both Jewish and Gentile areas), demonstrate the initial widespread appeal of Jesus and the non-discriminatory nature of His healing ministry, foreshadowing the universal reach of the Gospel message that would eventually extend to all nations.
• The placement of these healing acts directly before the Sermon on the Level Place (Luke 6:20-49) provides foundational validation for Jesus' subsequent teachings. His words are not merely philosophical discourse but divine truth spoken by one who has tangibly demonstrated power over the gravest of human miseries. This chronological arrangement emphasizes that His authority is not just intellectual or verbal, but manifest and demonstrated.

Luke 6 18 Commentary

Luke 6:18 concisely conveys the profound impact of Jesus' ministry on the afflicted, both physically and spiritually. The crowds, coming from diverse regions, reflect a widespread recognition of Jesus' unique power. The specification of "unclean spirits" highlights Jesus' unparalleled authority over the spiritual forces of darkness that plagued humanity. These weren't mere psychological conditions but definite demonic oppressions recognized in that culture. The fact that all who came "were healed" underscores the immediate, comprehensive, and unfailing nature of Christ's restorative power. This verse serves as a crucial bridge, demonstrating Jesus' credentials through action before He delivers the Kingdom principles in the "Sermon on the Level Place." It confirms that the arrival of God's reign brought tangible liberation from the tyranny of sickness and evil. For us today, it powerfully affirms that Jesus Christ retains all authority over every form of brokenness—physical, emotional, or spiritual—and remains the ultimate source of healing and deliverance.