Luke 5:16

16 But he himself was withdrawing in the wilderness and praying.

Luke 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 5:16

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness
Into a desert place, that he might have rest from the fatigues of preaching and healing diseases; and being alone, and free from company, might have an opportunity for private prayer to God, for so it lows:

and prayed;
this is to be understood of Christ, as man: as God, he is the object of prayer, and petitions are often addressed unto him; and as mediator, he offers up the prayers of all saints, and presents them to his Father; which are acceptable to him, through the incense of his mediation; and as man, he prayed himself: what he now prayed for, is not known; sometimes he prayed for his disciples, and for all that should believe; for their conversion, sanctification, union, perseverance, and glorification; and sometimes for himself, that the cup might pass from him, and he be saved from death; but always with submission to the will of his Father.

Luke 5:16 In-Context

14 And he ordered him, "Tell no one, but go [and] show yourself to the priest and bring [the offering] for your cleansing just as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.

15 But the report about him spread even more, and large crowds were gathering to hear [him] and to be healed of their illnesses.

16 But he himself was withdrawing in the wilderness and praying.

17 And it happened that on one of the days as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting [there] who {had come} from every village of Galilee and Judea and [from] Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was [there] in order [for] him to heal.

18 And behold, men [came] carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and place [him] before him.