Luke 18 37

Luke 18:37 kjv

And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

Luke 18:37 nkjv

So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

Luke 18:37 niv

They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

Luke 18:37 esv

They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

Luke 18:37 nlt

They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 37 Meaning

Luke 18:37 reveals the pivotal information given to the blind man near Jericho: "And they told him, saying, That Jesus of Nazareth passeth by." This statement identifies Jesus by His well-known geographical origin and signals His immediate proximity, presenting a fleeting, critical opportunity for divine intervention. It shifts the blind man's curiosity into specific, life-altering awareness of who is passing.

Luke 18 37 Context

Luke 18:37 is part of a series of teachings and encounters Jesus has on His final journey to Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has predicted His suffering, death, and resurrection for the third time (Lk 18:31-34), though the disciples do not understand. This indicates a spiritual blindness contrasting with the physical blindness of the man about to be healed. The chapter also features parables emphasizing persistent prayer (the unjust judge and the widow), humility in approaching God (Pharisee and tax collector), and the necessary childlike faith to enter the Kingdom (Jesus blessing the children), setting a stage for the blind man's bold and humble faith. The specific setting, Jericho, a significant city often associated with Israel's entry into the Promised Land, foreshadows new beginnings and divine activity.

Luke 18 37 Word analysis

• And: (Greek: καὶ - kai) - A simple conjunction, connecting this crucial piece of information to the blind man's earlier inquiry "what means this?" It signifies a continuation of the narrative flow and introduces the answer to his question.
• they told him, saying, (Greek: ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες - apēggeilan autō legontes) - "They told him" (from ἀπαγγέλλω - apangellō, meaning to report, announce). This suggests a collective action; it was common people, not a single individual, who conveyed the news. Their statement is immediate and direct, providing the essential detail the blind man needed.
• That (Greek: ὅτι - hoti) - Functions here as a declarative conjunction, introducing the content of what was said. It brings precision to the information being communicated.
• Jesus of Nazareth (Greek: Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος - Iēsous ho Nazōraios) - This phrase identifies Jesus primarily by His geographic origin.
  • Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The common name, meaning "The Lord is Salvation" or "God saves."
  • of Nazareth (ὁ Ναζωραῖος - ho Nazōraios): This epithet signifies His hometown. Nazareth was a small, obscure village in Galilee. This title often carried a certain amount of disdain or skepticism, as suggested in Jn 1:46, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" However, it also served as a precise identifier for many in the region and prophetically alluded to the Hebrew term netzer (נֵצֶר), meaning "branch" or "shoot" (Isa 11:1), thereby linking Him to prophecies of the Messiah as the Branch from David's line. This public designation underscores His humble beginnings yet distinct identity.
• passeth by (Greek: παρέρχεται - parerchetai) - This verb is in the present indicative, conveying immediacy and an ongoing action: "is passing by" or "is drawing near."
  • It denotes a transient, opportune moment. Jesus is not lingering but moving. This emphasizes the critical, limited window for the blind man to act. Divine opportunities are often fleeting and demand immediate response.

Luke 18 37 Bonus section

The seemingly mundane information, "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by," serves as a divine call. It’s an instance where general knowledge, when intersecting with immediate physical presence, creates a transformative opportunity. The fact that the crowds, who later try to silence him, are the very ones who first give him this essential information highlights God's sovereignty working even through unexpected channels. It underscores the theme that one must be attentive to the moment of visitation (kairos), for it is a narrow window for encounter with Christ.

Luke 18 37 Commentary

Luke 18:37 is a pivot point in the healing of the blind man at Jericho. The crowd's simple communication, "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by," is divinely timed and supremely significant. It's more than a geographical identifier; it's a proclamation of a specific, identifiable individual known for mighty works, who is, at that very moment, accessible. The phrase "passeth by" carries a dual meaning: it acknowledges Jesus' physical movement past the blind man and implies a moment of crucial divine visitation that must be seized. This common knowledge about Jesus of Nazareth underscores His established reputation and presence. This information acts as the catalyst for the blind man's subsequent fervent cries, as he recognizes not just a healer, but the one who has power and grace available now. His understanding, contrasted with the spiritual incomprehension of the disciples just moments before, highlights a core theme in Luke's Gospel: often, those marginalized or considered outcast possess a clearer spiritual insight and faith than those in positions of privilege or religious authority.