Luke 5:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As Jesus teaches, Pharisees and teachers of the law from every region sit listening, and the power of the Lord is present to heal.
What Does Luke 5:17 Mean?
A new audience arrives. Pharisees and doctors of the law have come from every town of Galilee, from Judaea, even from Jerusalem — a gathering of official scrutiny, the first organized examination of Jesus in this Gospel. They sit by, watching. And in the same room, Luke notes, 'the power of the Lord was present to heal.'
The sentence holds two postures side by side: those who sit by to evaluate, and the power of God present for any who will receive it. Heaven's work does not pause for skeptical observers; healing is available while the examiners take notes. The question the scene quietly asks is which posture is ours — auditing grace, or reaching out for it.
Luke 5:17 in the Original Language
dynamis (δύναμις), 'power' -- inherent might; ability to act and to accomplish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 5:17
What does Luke 5:17 mean?
As Jesus teaches, Pharisees and teachers of the law from every region sit listening, and the power of the Lord is present to heal.