καὶ καταβὰς μετ’ αὐτῶν ἔστη ἐπὶ τόπου πεδινοῦ, καὶ ὄχλος μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ πλῆθος πολὺ τοῦ λαοῦ ἀπὸ πάσης τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Ἱερουσαλὴμ καὶ τῆς παραλίου Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος, οἳ ἦλθον ἀκοῦσαι αὐτοῦ καὶ ἰαθῆναι ἀπὸ τῶν νόσων αὐτῶν, (Luke 6:17)
Setting the Stage for the Sermon
Luke 6:17 introduces the scene commonly known as the “Sermon on the Plain.” The grammar reflects movement, presence, and purpose, preparing the reader for the teaching and healing that will follow. Through aorist participles, presentative verbs, and a purpose-driven relative clause, the structure of the verse emphasizes both Jesus’ intentional descent and the vast multiregional response to His ministry.
Let’s explore how the Greek syntax builds this moment.
1. Aorist Participle of Motion: καταβὰς μετ’ αὐτῶν
- καταβὰς – Aorist Active Participle, Nominative Masculine Singular of καταβαίνω, “having come down”
- μετ’ αὐτῶν – “with them” (i.e., with His disciples)
This circumstantial participle sets the narrative background:
“After coming down with them…”
The aorist tense marks a completed action prior to the main verb.
2. Main Verb of Position: ἔστη ἐπὶ τόπου πεδινοῦ
- ἔστη – Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Person Singular of ἵστημι, “he stood”
- ἐπὶ τόπου πεδινοῦ – “on a level place,” with ἐπὶ + genitive indicating location
This verb marks the settling of Jesus into position:
“He stood on a level place.”
The phrase contrasts with the elevated setting in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, and the level place implies accessibility and inclusiveness.
3. Assembled Crowd: καὶ ὄχλος μαθητῶν … καὶ πλῆθος πολὺ τοῦ λαοῦ
This section introduces the audience, consisting of two main groups:
- ὄχλος μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ – “a crowd of his disciples”
- πλῆθος πολὺ τοῦ λαοῦ – “a great multitude of the people”
The coordination of καὶ … καὶ suggests that Jesus is surrounded by a broad spectrum of followers — both committed disciples and interested multitudes.
Expanding Reach: ἀπὸ πάσης τῆς Ἰουδαίας … καὶ Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος
This part reveals the geographic diversity of the crowd:
- ἀπὸ πάσης τῆς Ἰουδαίας – “from all of Judea”
- καὶ Ἱερουσαλὴμ – “and Jerusalem”
- καὶ τῆς παραλίου Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος – “and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon”
Luke emphasizes both Jewish heartlands and Gentile-adjacent regions, portraying a borderless draw to Jesus’ presence.
Purpose Clause through Relative Pronoun: οἳ ἦλθον ἀκοῦσαι … καὶ ἰαθῆναι
The relative pronoun οἳ introduces those who came:
- ἦλθον – Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Person Plural of ἔρχομαι, “they came”
- ἀκοῦσαι – Aorist Active Infinitive of ἀκούω, “to hear”
- ἰαθῆναι – Aorist Passive Infinitive of ἰάομαι, “to be healed”
These infinitives of purpose express the reason they came:
“They came to hear Him and to be healed…”
Cause of Affliction: ἀπὸ τῶν νόσων αὐτῶν
- νόσων – “diseases,” genitive plural of νόσος
- ἀπὸ – “from,” indicating cause or condition
Their healing need is framed as deliverance from affliction, showing that Jesus’ ministry meets both spiritual and physical needs.
Movement, Presence, Purpose
This verse unfolds in stages:
- Descent – Jesus comes down from a height (καταβὰς)
- Stance – He takes His place among the people (ἔστη)
- Audience – A diverse, wide-reaching crowd (ὄχλος … πλῆθος)
- Purpose – To hear and to be healed (ἀκοῦσαι … ἰαθῆναι)
The Grammar of Accessibility
Luke’s grammar paints a theological picture:
– The aorist participle and aorist indicatives establish movement with purpose.
– The infinitives express motivation.
– The geographical and social inclusiveness foreshadows the scope of Jesus’ ministry.
The Teacher descended, stood, and welcomed the broken. The grammar made room for all.
