αυτος 846 P-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S υποχωρων 5298 5723 V-PAP-NSM εν 1722 PREP ταις 3588 T-DPF ερημοις 2048 A-DPF και 2532 CONJ προσευχομενος 4336 5740 V-PNP-NSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. Withdrew (hn upocwrwn). The participle with the imperfect of the finite verb denoting something in progress, and thus corresponding to the imperfect in verse 15. The multitudes were coming together, but he was engaged in retirement and prayer, so that he was inaccessible. The word occurs only in Luke, the usual New Testament word for withdraw being ajnacwrew. See Matt. ii. 12; xii. 15; Mark iii. 7.17-26. Compare Mark ii. 1-12.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:16 {But he withdrew himself in the deserts and prayed} (autos de en hupocwrwn en tais eremois kai proseucomenos). Periphrastic imperfects. Literally, "But he himself was with drawing in the desert places and praying." The more the crowds came as a result of the leper's story, the more Jesus turned away from them to the desert regions and prayed with the Father. It is a picture of Jesus drawn with vivid power. The wild enthusiasm of the crowds was running ahead of their comprehension of Christ and his mission and message. hupocwrew (perhaps with the notion of slipping away secretly, hupo-) is a very common Greek verb, but in the N.T. occurs in Luke alone. Elsewhere in the N.T. anacwrew (to go back) appears.