Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people (followed) from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known. (Mk 3:7-12)
Jesus had crowds of people following him. Crowds came from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, Tyre, Sidon etc. Jesus activities and preaching were localized (in and around Galilee – in Mark’s Gospel) yet his fame and the message about his ministry reached far and wide. It reached beyond the Judean territory to the other countries.
One of the messages that reached the people about Jesus was that he had healed many. One of the distinguishing element about Jesus compared to others was that He healed many. Healing was one of the specific qualities of the kingdom. He healed many and gave this power to heal to all his disciples. Where there was healing there was kingdom and Jesus was also there.
Healing from physical illnesses was a special sign of the kingdom also was the power to cast demons. Unclean spirits recognized him and worshiped him. His identity was spread all the land and also it was recognized by the people of the other world (world of spirits). Jesus’ name and fame spread through this world and the world of spirits.
