Jesus escapes from the crowd that has been following him.
He travels about 50 miles across the hills to the coastal plain.
It is well away from his usual area of operation,
and away from the Galillean authorities,
near the Syrian border.
From the text it could be imagined
that he intended to stay under-cover.
However his fame has gone ahead of him.
Somehow he is recognised by the locals.
It seems a long way to go to effect one healing
or perhaps to make one conversion to the cause.
Maybe, once he had been recognised by anyone
the point of the journey had been lost.
Maybe this was meant as a timeout.
Perhaps this is just shows how the news is spreading
and that it is not confined to the Jewish race.
The cause embraces all oppressed people.
Perhaps the story is merely told to show
that Jesus did travel beyond Gallilee
and that his subversive message
is universal in its application;
even extending to Greeks.
Does that undermine Paul's image
as the missionary to the gentiles,
when Jesus had been there already?