“and from Jerusalem.” The wide area covered by this crowd of people who came to Jesus shows the tremendous influence that his ministry had. It was not easy to travel in those days, so the people who came really wanted to see him. Jerusalem is a few days’ journey to the south of the Sea of Galilee, Idumea is the territory south of Judea and about a five-day walk from the Sea of Galilee. “Beyond Jordan” refers to territories east of the Jordan River and could be a day’s to a few days’ journey from the Sea of Galilee, while the areas of Trye and Sidon are some 35 to 50 miles to the northwest of the Sea of Galilee, at least a couple days journey away.

It is easy to surmise that many of the people came because they heard about healings and miracles, but with such large crowds, there is every reason to believe that some of the people came because they heard about the teachings of Jesus and were searching for truth and answers to long-held questions.