Chapter
Verse

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.
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.
NASB But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
CSB But the news about him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
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.
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.
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.

What does Luke 5:15 mean?

When Jesus heals the man with leprosy, He tells him to go to the priest and show that he is cleansed (Luke 5:14). Jesus cares about the physical suffering the man is going through. However, the ceremonial cleanness that allows the man to fully engage in worshiping his God is more important. Even now, God doesn't always heal us, but He does make sure His followers are cleansed by being washed in the Spirit (Titus 3:5), able to approach His throne with confidence (Hebrews 4:16; 10:22).

The man's joy, however, overcomes his discretion and the value he places on being able to go to the temple again. "He went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news…" (Mark 1:45).

Physical healing is an important part of Jesus' ministry, but it's not the most important part. He told Peter, Andrew, James, and John, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out" (Mark 1:38). His touch provides physical healing, but His teaching is the conduit for eternal life. People and ministries that emphasize God's ability to heal can undermine the spread of the gospel. Even so, when Jesus sees a crowd of people in need of healing, His first reaction is compassion (Matthew 14:14).
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