Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 9:11

οἱ δὲ ὄχλοι. The ensuing incident is one of the few narrated by all four Evangelists, Matthew 14:13-33; Mark 6:30-52; John 6:1-21, and is most important from the power displayed, the doctrines symbolized (Christ the bread of life), and the results to which it led (John 6). Combining the narratives, we see that the embarkation of Jesus to sail from Capernaum to the northern Bethsaida had been noticed by the people, and as it is only a sail of six miles they went on foot round the head of the lake to find Him. He had barely time to retire with His disciples to one of the hills when a crowd assembled on the little plain. This crowd was momentarily swelled by the throngs of pilgrims who paused to see the Great Prophet on their way to the approaching Passover at Jerusalem (John 6:5), which Jesus Himself could not attend without danger, owing to the outburst caused by the Sabbath healing of the cripple (John 5:1-16). Towards afternoon He came down the hill to the multitude, to teach them and heal their sick.

ἀποδεξάμενος αὐτούς. ‘Kindly receiving them’—weary as He was and much as He yearned for solitude. See note on Luke 8:40.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 9:11

Old Testament

New Testament