Luke 6:17
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
After a night spent alone in prayer on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee, at dawn He called the chosen twelve to Himself and set them apart to the gospel work with prayer and instruction and the laying of His hands upon their heads in benediction, then came down with them to where the multitude was gathering. That night of communion with God strengthened His humanity with energy, perseverance, and steadfastness to be a blessing to men. It showed His disciples where His strength lay, that no human being can gain power for service without daily communion with God.
A great multitude had already begun to assemble in the early morning from the Galilean towns and from Judea and Jerusalem and from Perea, Decapolis, and Idumea to the south, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon on the Mediterranean coast. They came because they heard what great things He did, to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases. Power came forth from Him and healed them all, including those vexed with unclean spirits, as He healed the sick and comforted the sorrowing.
He first met and healed the people by the sea, but because the narrow beach did not afford even standing room within reach of His voice for all who desired to hear, He led the way back to a level space on the mountainside where the people could gather. In that plain or level gathering place He stood with His disciples before the vast crowd. Then for the teaching He seated Himself on the grass while the disciples and multitude followed His example to listen.
The sermon was spoken especially to the disciples, who were called close so they could give full attention and remember His teaching, but it was given within hearing of and meant also for the wider mixed multitude. The crowd expected political freedom and renewed earthly glory, but instead He began by teaching the principles of His kingdom of divine grace. Its humble outdoor setting shows the gospel was not first proclaimed in imposing churches but in lowly, open places, from a fisherman's boat, on a mountainside, in the plain, and by the highway, just as He was cradled in a manger, so true preaching can begin even from a rough plank rostrum in a dilapidated chapel.