When he came down from the mountain serves as an editorial link between the Sermon on the Mount and the healing of the man. In Greek Jesus is not mentioned by name, but in many languages it is advisable to use the proper name when a new section is introduced.

In some languages one cannot say “When he came down” without having said first that he came down. Translators in such languages can say “Jesus came down the mountain, and when (or, as) he came….”

Of course, whatever word was used for mountain in 5.1 should be used here too.

In general Matthew pictures the crowds as receptive to Jesus and his message. See comments on 4.25 and 5.1. He enjoys identifying them as great crowds.

Often the phrase great crowds makes it seem that there were separate groups of people. It may be better to say “a large crowd” or “very many people.”

Here followed means “accompanied” or “went with.” See comments on 4.25.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .