Luke 6:19 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:19 mean?

Luke 6:19 describes how a large crowd was trying to touch Jesus because power was coming out from him and healing everyone. The verse highlights that Jesus’ ability to heal was so evident that people believed simply touching him would make them well.

In this scene, Luke is narrating what happened as Jesus was surrounded by a crowd of people. The people were not just listening to Jesus but actively reaching out to him, convinced that his presence carried real, healing power. This moment shows the reputation Jesus had gained as a healer and the hope people placed in him for relief from their suffering.

The Greek behind Luke 6:19

• δύναμις (dynamis, transliterated as "virtue" in the KJV): This Greek word is often understood as "power" or "miraculous power." Here, it emphasizes that something real and effective was flowing from Jesus, not just a symbolic or emotional influence.
• ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen, "went out"): The Greek here carries the sense of power actively going out from Jesus, suggesting that healing was not just a passive result but something that happened as people made contact with him.
• ἅπτεσθαι (haptesthai, "to touch"): This word means more than a casual touch; it can imply grasping or clinging, showing the desperation and faith of the crowd as they reached for Jesus.

Why Luke 6:19 matters

• Luke 6:19 makes clear that Jesus’ healing was not limited or selective—everyone who reached out was healed, which underscores the completeness and generosity of his power.
• The verse helps explain why crowds kept following Jesus, not just for teaching but because they saw real, physical change when they encountered him.
• This detail connects to the wider passage by showing the authority and compassion of Jesus, setting the stage for his teachings that follow in the chapter.