29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. (Matthew 15:29-31 KJV)
Jesus Heals Many
This passage gives a general account of Christ’s many healings, showing that the signs of his power and compassion were neither rare nor limited. In him is an overflowing fullness, and his acts of mercy were abundant.
The miracles took place near the Sea of Galilee, a region Jesus often visited. Unlike Tyre and Sidon, where we hear of only one healing—the casting out of a demon from the Canaanite woman’s daughter—Galilee was a place where his ministry was rich with acts of mercy. That brief journey to Tyre and Sidon seems to have been for that one soul – the Canaanite woman’s daughter, reminding ministers that no effort is too great to reach even one person. The value of a single soul is worth the journey.
After that brief visit to Tyre and Sidon, Jesus returned and sat down by the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 15:29). He chose a place where people could easily approach him. Whether he sat to rest or to make himself available, he was ready to be gracious, like Abraham waiting at his tent door to welcome strangers.
Great crowds gathered around him, bringing with them people suffering from various illnesses—those who were lame, blind, mute, and disabled (Matthew 15:30). These multitudes fulfilled the prophecy: “Unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10). While physical suffering draws attention quickly, fewer recognize the deeper illness of the soul. Yet Christ welcomed all, showing kindness to the poor as well as the rich. He never complained about the crowds, nor did he turn away the common people.
The suffering of these individuals spoke louder than any words, and they were laid at Jesus’ feet, which shows their submission and faith—relying on his power and trusting in his willingness to help and heal them.
Sin has made the world a kind of hospital, and Jesus, the Great Physician, restored broken bodies and defeated the enemies of human health. These were not imaginary afflictions but real physical ailments, all of which responded to his command. Every disease is subject to Christ, which gives comfort both in weakness and in suffering.
Notice also the effect Jesus’s miracles had on the crowd—it was twofold: First, the people were amazed. They recognized the miraculous nature of what they saw, and they glorified the God of Israel (Matthew 15:31). While the Pharisees, witnessing similar wonders, responded with scorn, the common people responded with praise.
Second, they glorified the God of Israel. The miracles confirmed the presence of the promised Messiah, and many echoed the words of Luke 1:68: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.” Their gratitude wasn’t limited to their own healing—they glorified God for what he had done for others too.
From this, we learn that the miraculous works Christ performed in front of the crowd were clear and undeniable to their senses and compelled the witnesses—unless blinded by stubborn unbelief—to acknowledge the power of God working through Christ and to give him praise: the crowd marveled and glorified God!