Luke 9:11
And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλοι
the people
G3793
ὄχλοι
the people
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
3 of 22
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
γνόντες
when they knew
G1097
γνόντες
when they knew
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
4 of 22
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ἠκολούθησαν
it followed
G190
ἠκολούθησαν
it followed
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δεξάμενος
he received
G1209
δεξάμενος
he received
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
8 of 22
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείας
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείας
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρείαν
need
G5532
χρείαν
need
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
19 of 22
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
ἔχοντας
that had
G2192
ἔχοντας
that had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
20 of 22
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
Historical Context
The Sea of Galilee's geography made it difficult to find true solitude—the lake was only about 13 miles long and 8 miles wide, ringed with towns and villages. Crowds could easily track Jesus's movements by boat or on foot. The phrase "kingdom of God" was Jesus's central message, appearing over 100 times in the Gospels. It proclaimed that God's reign, anticipated in the prophets, was now arriving in Jesus's person and work—not yet fully consummated but decisively inaugurated.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's compassionate reception of interrupting crowds challenge our attitudes toward inconvenient ministry opportunities?
- What does the combination of teaching about the kingdom and healing bodies reveal about the comprehensive nature of the gospel?
- How should proclamation and demonstration work together in contemporary Christian witness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the people, when they knew it, followed him—Despite Jesus's attempt to withdraw, the crowds tracked Him down. Their pursuit demonstrates hunger for His teaching and healing. And he received them (ἀποδεξάμενος αὐτούς, apodexamenos autous)—the verb indicates warm welcome despite His weariness and desire for solitude. Jesus's compassion overrode His need for rest (see Matthew 14:14: "he was moved with compassion toward them").
And spake unto them of the kingdom of God (ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ, elalei autois peri tēs basileias tou theou)—Jesus's primary message was always the kingdom, God's sovereign rule breaking into history through the Messiah. The imperfect tense elalei ("was speaking") indicates extended teaching. And healed them that had need of healing (τοὺς χρείαν ἔχοντας θεραπείας ἰᾶτο, tous chreian echontas therapeias iato)—Jesus combined proclamation with demonstration, Word with deed. The kingdom brings both truth (teaching) and transformation (healing)—comprehensive restoration of fallen humanity.