And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

LUKE 6:19KJV
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Luke 6:19 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:19 mean?

Luke 6:19 describes a crowd seeking physical contact with Jesus because healing power was coming from him. The KJV says that everyone in the crowd was healed, presenting Jesus as the source of the healing they sought.

The word “touch” gives the scene a physical closeness: people were pressing near enough to reach Jesus. After the account of people coming to hear him and be healed in verse 18, Luke focuses on what the crowd sought to do and what happened among them.

The Greek behind Luke 6:19

  • “virtue” — δύναμις (dynamis): The Greek word carries the sense of power or ability. In the KJV, “virtue” here means power that heals, rather than goodness of character.
  • “sought” — ζητέω (zēteō): The Greek word means to seek or try to obtain something. Here it describes the crowd’s active effort to reach Jesus and touch him.

Why Luke 6:19 matters

  • The healing extends to the whole crowd described here. Luke uses “whole multitude” at the start and says Jesus “healed them all” at the end.
  • The account places the source of healing with Jesus. The crowd seeks to touch him, while the verse says the healing power goes out from him.
  • The scene leads into Jesus’ teaching. In verse 20, Jesus turns his attention to his disciples and begins to speak, after Luke has described the crowd gathered around him.

Where else these words appear

“healed” Greek G2390 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
  • Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
  • John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

“touch” Greek G680 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
  • Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
  • Luke 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

“sought” Greek G2212 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
  • John 16:19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

“virtue” Greek G1411 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  • Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
  • Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?