SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:16
Mas l se apartaba a los desiertos, y oraba.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 5:16
Verse 16. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness] Or rather, He frequently withdrew into the desert. This I believe to be the import of the original words, hn upocwrwn. He made it a frequent custom to withdraw from the multitudes for a time, and pray, teaching hereby the ministers of the Gospel that they are to receive fresh supplies of light and power from God by prayer, that they may be the more successful in their work; and that they ought to seek frequent opportunities of being in private with God and their books. A man can give nothing unless he first receive it; and no man can be successful in the ministry who does not constantly depend upon God, for the excellence of the power is all from him. Why is there so much preaching, and so little good done? Is it not because the preachers mix too much with the world, keep too long in the crowd, and are so seldom in private with God? Reader! Art thou a herald for the Lord of hosts? Make full proof of thy ministry! Let it never be said of thee, "He forsook all to follow Christ, and to preach his Gospel, but there was little or no fruit of his labour; for he ceased to be a man of prayer, and got into the spirit of the world." Alas! alas! is this luminous star, that was once held in the right hand of Jesus, fallen from the firmament of heaven, down to the EARTH!
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness , etc.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-16 - This man is said to be full of leprosy; he had that distemper in a hig degree, which represents our natural pollution by sin; we are full of that leprosy; from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot ther is no soundness in us. Strong confidence and deep humility are unite in the words of this leper. And if any sinner, from a deep sense of vileness, says, I know the Lord can cleanse, but will he look upon suc a one as me? will he apply his own precious blood for my cleansing an healing? Yes, he will. Speak not as doubting, but as humbly referrin the matter to Christ. And being saved from the guilt and power of ou sins, let us spread abroad Christ's fame, and bring others to hear his and to be healed.
Greek Textus Receptus
αυτος 846 P-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S υποχωρων 5298 5723 V-PAP-NSM εν 1722 PREP ταις 3588 T-DPF ερημοις 2048 A-DPF και 2532 CONJ προσευχομενος 4336 5740 V-PNP-NSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. Withdrew (hn upocwrwn). The participle with the imperfect of the finite verb denoting something in progress, and thus corresponding to the imperfect in verse 15. The multitudes were coming together, but he was engaged in retirement and prayer, so that he was inaccessible. The word occurs only in Luke, the usual New Testament word for withdraw being ajnacwrew. See Matt. ii. 12; xii. 15; Mark iii. 7.17-26. Compare Mark ii. 1-12.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:16 {But he withdrew himself in the deserts and prayed} (autos de en hupocwrwn en tais eremois kai proseucomenos). Periphrastic imperfects. Literally, "But he himself was with drawing in the desert places and praying." The more the crowds came as a result of the leper's story, the more Jesus turned away from them to the desert regions and prayed with the Father. It is a picture of Jesus drawn with vivid power. The wild enthusiasm of the crowds was running ahead of their comprehension of Christ and his mission and message. hupocwrew (perhaps with the notion of slipping away secretly, hupo-) is a very common Greek verb, but in the N.T. occurs in Luke alone. Elsewhere in the N.T. anacwrew (to go back) appears.
