Luke 18 36

Luke 18:36 kjv

And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

Luke 18:36 nkjv

And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.

Luke 18:36 niv

When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

Luke 18:36 esv

And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant.

Luke 18:36 nlt

When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening.

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 36 Meaning

Luke 18:36 describes the moment a blind man, sitting by the road begging near Jericho, hears a significant commotion—a large crowd passing by. Prompted by the unusual sound, he actively inquires about the cause of the disturbance, seeking to understand what is happening. This verse marks the beginning of his journey from physical and spiritual darkness to receiving sight and entering into salvation. His immediate curiosity and initiative in asking are pivotal, signifying a readiness to perceive and engage with divine activity, contrasting with many who had sight but lacked true discernment.

Luke 18 36 Context

Luke 18:36 is situated in the narrative of Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, a journey characterized by His teaching on discipleship and His repeated, explicit predictions of His coming suffering and resurrection (Luke 18:31-34). Just before this miracle, Jesus emphasizes the spiritual incomprehension of His disciples regarding these prophecies, setting a backdrop where physical sight did not equate to spiritual understanding. The setting is Jericho, a significant and ancient city near the end of the Jordan valley, representing a geographical and symbolic gateway to Jerusalem. As Jesus enters the city, a large crowd is accompanying Him. The verse immediately precedes the well-known healing of a blind beggar (commonly identified with Bartimaeus from Mark's account, though not named here in Luke). The incident contrasts the physical blindness yet spiritual alertness of the beggar with the physical sight yet spiritual dullness of the disciples and perhaps some in the crowd who are merely part of the throng, oblivious to the spiritual significance of Jesus’ presence.

Luke 18 36 Word analysis

• And hearing (ἀκούσας - akousas): From akouō, meaning "to hear," but here an aorist active participle, implying "having heard" or "after he heard." It signifies an active perception of sound, not merely a passive experience. Despite his blindness, his hearing was sharp and discerning, distinguishing the ordinary sounds from a distinct "multitude." This immediate and accurate auditory perception demonstrates his alertness and sensory compensation for his lack of sight.

• the multitude (ὄχλου - ochlou): From ochlos, referring to a large, undifferentiated crowd or throng, often associated with noise, confusion, and sometimes even disorder. The noise of such a crowd passing by would be substantial, hinting at a significant event. The crowd is merely "passing by," suggesting a movement, a transient presence that most would not question.

• pass by (διαπορευομένου - diaporeuomenou): From diaporeuomai, meaning "to travel through," "to pass through," or "to journey along." This is a present middle participle, indicating an ongoing action—the crowd was continuously in motion, making its presence felt through sustained sound. This movement indicates Jesus' continuous, purposeful journey towards Jerusalem, an unyielding trajectory towards the cross.

• he asked (ἐπυνθάνετο - epynthaneto): From punthanomai, meaning "to inquire," "to learn by inquiry," or "to question." The imperfect indicative tense indicates a sustained or repeated action—he began to ask, or kept on asking, until he got an answer. This is not a casual question but a persistent, determined effort to gain knowledge. It highlights his initiative, agency, and an immediate curiosity born out of his disadvantaged state.

• what it meant (τί εἴη τοῦτο - ti eiē touto): This phrase translates to "what might this be?" or "what was this?" The optative verb eiē (from eimi, "to be") combined with ti ("what") and touto ("this") conveys an indirect question, expressing his uncertainty and desire for clarification. He didn't know who it was or what specifically was happening, only that something significant was. This highlights his initial ignorance but his immediate drive to overcome it, demonstrating an acute awareness that the usual sounds of travel did not account for this specific "multitude." His question implies a desire for meaningful information beyond superficial noise.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And hearing the multitude pass by": This phrase paints a vivid picture of the sensory input received by the blind man. His reliance on sound is emphasized. It shows an external, almost overwhelming event impinging on his confined world.
  • "he asked what it meant": This group highlights the blind man's active internal processing and responsive action. Despite his physical limitation and disadvantaged position, he initiates inquiry, moving from passive hearing to active seeking of understanding. This proactive stance contrasts sharply with the general indifference or unawareness of those who could see.

Luke 18 36 Bonus section

The incident in Luke 18:36 (and the verses that follow) serves as a potent parable within Jesus’ journey, reinforcing the recurring Lukan theme of the marginalized receiving favor, contrasting with the often complacent or spiritually deaf "insiders." The blind man's humble, desperate curiosity to understand what the commotion means ultimately proves to be a far greater asset than the complacent certainty of those around him. This narrative subtly critiques superficial engagement with divine presence, illustrating that genuine inquiry, regardless of one's external circumstances, is fundamental to recognizing and receiving the Savior. His vulnerability, stripped of visual cues, perhaps amplified his other senses, including a spiritual receptivity that those burdened by worldly sight often lacked. The fact that Jesus "came near" after the man's cry underscores divine accessibility to those who earnestly seek.

Luke 18 36 Commentary

Luke 18:36 portrays the crucial transition point for the blind man, moving from passive waiting to active seeking. Despite his profound physical disadvantage, his sense of hearing was acute, detecting an unusual commotion from the "multitude" passing by. His immediate and persistent inquiry ("he asked" in the imperfect tense) demonstrates not just curiosity, but a keen awareness that this event was distinct and potentially significant. Unlike many with physical sight who were merely part of the moving crowd or spectators, the blind man exhibits an immediate spiritual alertness. He seeks understanding beyond mere observation, a stark contrast to the disciples who, despite being with Jesus and having sight, remained spiritually blind to His coming suffering (Luke 18:34). This active seeking for information about the "what" of the event directly leads him to encounter the "Who"—Jesus—thereby setting the stage for his cry of faith and subsequent miraculous healing. His question reveals a spiritual hunger that anticipates divine intervention, ultimately paving the way for his physical restoration and entrance into a relationship with Christ. This initiative underscores that genuine spiritual perception often precedes physical or material breakthrough.