Luke 6:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

That is, for the cure of their souls; and that they might be healed of their diseases, that is, for the cure of their bodies.

When the ordination of the Apostles was accomplished, and great numbers were collected together from the country of Judæa, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, (who were idolaters,) he gave the Apostles their commission to be the teachers of the whole world, that they might recal the Jews from the bondage of the law, but the worshippers of devils from their Gentile errors to the knowledge of the truth. Hence it is said, And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and a great multitude from Judæa, and the sea coast, &c.

But observe all things carefully, how He both ascends with His Apostles and descends to the multitude; for how could the multitude see Christ but in a lowly place. It follows him not to the lofty places, it ascends not the heights. Lastly, when He descends, He finds the sick, for in the high places there can be no sick.

He possessed a heavenly authority that restored health to all who reached out to Him.

By the sea coast he does not refer to the neighbouring sea of Galilee, because this would not be accounted wonderful, but it is so called from the great sea, and therein also Tyre and Sidon may be comprehended, of which it follows, Both of Tyre and Sidon. And these states being Gentile, are purposely named here, to indicate how great was the fame and power of the Saviour which had brought even the citizens of the coast to receive His healing and teaching. Hence it follows, Which came to hear him.

The incarnation of the God-Man possessed an extraordinary grace and beauty, much like that which was prophetically declared by His ancestor, the holy prophet David: ‘He is more beautiful than the sons of men’ (Psalm 44:3). However, the physical allure of the God-Man did not evoke the same reactions from women as the beauty of men typically does. Such a disgraceful and blasphemous notion must be utterly rejected, despite being pronounced by certain heretics. Rather, the body of Christ restored all weaknesses, both spiritual and physical. The essence it embodied it shared with others. Through His presence, it communicated divine grace to all who observed or encountered it, irrespective of gender. ‘Power proceeded from Him,’ the Gospel affirms, ‘and healed all things’ (Luke 6:19).

All the people aimed to reach out to Him, for healing power emanated from Him and restored everyone (Luke 6:19). What kind of power flowed from the Lord Jesus that brought healing to all? It is solely the power of His divine essence intertwined with humanity, adorned by His incarnate nature. The might of the Godhead is immeasurably vast, as all of His attributes are infinite, and eternally active, reflecting the timeless nature of His qualities. Consequently, the power of the Godhead not only emerged from His hiddenness during the six-day creation but continues to manifest actively thereafter, as the Lord proclaimed: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).

He then accompanied them to the gathering and delivered an extensive sermon. Since the members of this new Israel are not of earthly origin but are spiritual, the Lord intended to illustrate through this address certain traits of the offspring of the new Israel. He primarily drew from the guidelines and examples of Israel's devotion at that time, contrasting the unworthy attributes with those that are truly virtuous, elevating the good to its utmost perfection.

The individuals attempted to reach out and touch Him, as seen in Matthew 9:20-21 and Mark 5:21, 25-34. Strength flowed from Him, distinguishing Him from the prophets and saints who lacked inherent power, for they were not the ultimate Source of strength. In contrast, the Lord was the very Source of power, unlike the prophets and saints who were recipients of divine grace.

Once the apostles were selected, the Lord descended from the mountain alongside them and positioned Himself on level ground. A multitude of disciples and a vast crowd from all over Judea, including Jerusalem and the coastal regions of Tyre and Sidon, had gathered to await Him. Some journeyed long distances to hear His teachings, while others sought healing from ailments and deliverance from impure spirits. He cured them all, and the people, filled with exuberant hope, aimed to touch Him, drawn by the life-giving miraculous energy emanating from Him.