Lucas 5:15-16

Luke omitted the fact that the man disobeyed Jesus (Mark 1:45) perhaps because this would have undermined his emphasis on Jesus’ authority. Instead he stressed the spread of the story (lit. "word," Gr. logos) concerning Jesus. The spread of the gospel concerning Jesus is a major theme of both this Gospel and the Book of Acts. This healing increased Jesus’ popularity. However, His response was not to rest on popular approval but to renew His dependence on His Father by praying in a solitary place.

". . . the mainspring of his life was his communion with God, and in such communion he found both strength and guidance to avoid submitting to temptation." [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 210.]

Luke did not mention the fact that increased popularity hampered Jesus’ activities (Mark 1:45). He also listed hearing Jesus before experiencing healing in Luke 5:15, reflecting the priority of Jesus’ preaching over His miracles.