Luke 18:38 kjv
And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
Luke 18:38 nkjv
And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Luke 18:38 niv
He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Luke 18:38 esv
And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Luke 18:38 nlt
So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Luke 18 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 18:35-43 | And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging... Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. | Immediate context of healing Bartimaeus. |
| Mt 20:29-34 | And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him... Son of David, have mercy on us. | Parallel account with two blind men. |
| Mk 10:46-52 | And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho... Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth... | Parallel account, names the blind man. |
| Mt 9:27 | And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. | Similar plea from other blind men. |
| Mt 15:22 | And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. | A Gentile woman using the same address. |
| Mt 21:9 | And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord... | Public acclamation of Jesus as Son of David. |
| Mt 1:1 | The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. | Genealogical link to David. |
| Rom 1:3 | Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; | Paul confirms Jesus' Davidic lineage. |
| Rev 22:16 | I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. | Jesus' self-declaration as David's descendant. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee... and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. | Nathan's prophecy about David's eternal house. |
| Ps 89:3-4 | I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. | Divine promise of David's enduring lineage. |
| Ps 6:2 | Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. | A plea for mercy and healing. |
| Ps 51:1 | Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. | Plea for God's merciful compassion. |
| Lk 11:8 | Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. | Example of persistent asking. |
| Lk 18:1-8 | He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; | Parable of persistent widow preceding this event. |
| Jas 5:15 | And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. | Connection between faith, prayer, and healing. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. | Encouragement to seek mercy from God. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: | Calling out of darkness into light (spiritual blindness). |
| Mk 9:24 | And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. | The blind man's cry shows belief seeking help. |
| Jn 9:1-41 | And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth... the Pharisees said... Are we blind also? | Extensive account of healing a blind man and spiritual blindness. |
| Isa 35:5 | Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. | Prophecy of Messiah opening eyes. |
| Lk 4:18 | The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind... | Jesus' ministry includes giving sight. |
Luke 18 verses
Luke 18 38 Meaning
Luke 18:38 captures a profound moment where a blind man, sitting by the road near Jericho, hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. He recognizes this as his unique opportunity and cries out loudly, addressing Jesus with the significant messianic title "Son of David" and pleading for His divine compassion and intervention. This declaration is an extraordinary act of faith and spiritual insight from someone physically blind, underscoring Jesus' identity and power to heal both physical ailments and spiritual needs.
Luke 18 38 Context
Luke 18:38 is set as Jesus and His disciples are making their final journey to Jerusalem, having just left Jericho. This journey is marked by Jesus' increasingly direct predictions of His suffering, death, and resurrection (Lk 18:31-34), yet the disciples still struggle to comprehend. Just prior to this healing, Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow (Lk 18:1-8) and interacted with the rich young ruler (Lk 18:18-27), emphasizing the need for humility, childlike faith (Lk 18:15-17), and dependence on God for salvation, rather than self-sufficiency or reliance on human effort. The blind man's encounter powerfully illustrates these principles: his humility, his unwavering faith in Jesus, and his persistent cry for mercy, despite obstacles from the crowd, contrasts sharply with the spiritual blindness of many around him, including the disciples who had not fully grasped Jesus' identity or mission. The man's recognition of "Son of David" reveals a spiritual insight superior to those with physical sight.
Luke 18 38 Word analysis
- And he cried (καὶ ἐβόησεν - kai eboēsen): The Greek word eboēsen signifies a loud, strong cry or shout, often out of urgency, distress, or desperation. It's not a mere speaking but a forceful utterance meant to be heard above a crowd. This indicates the man's profound need, his desperation, and his singular focus on capturing Jesus' attention. His cry cuts through the noise of the multitude, demonstrating persistence and profound belief that this was his one opportunity for a divine encounter and deliverance from his lifelong affliction.
- saying (λέγων - legōn): This participle indicates the content of his cry. He wasn't just making noise; he was purposefully communicating a plea.
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦ - Iēsou): The direct address to Jesus by name signifies personal recognition and a belief in His unique authority and ability. It's not a generic call but a targeted appeal to the individual who holds the power to change his situation.
- thou Son of David (υἱὲ Δαυὶδ - huiē Dauid): This is the most crucial part of his cry.
- Son of David: This title holds immense theological and messianic significance in Jewish tradition. It directly connects Jesus to the royal lineage of King David, from whom the Messiah was prophesied to come (2 Sam 7:12-16, Ps 89:3-4, Isa 9:6-7, Jer 23:5-6). It asserts Jesus' true identity as the promised King, the deliverer, and the rightful heir to the Davidic throne.
- For a blind beggar to use this title implies not only common knowledge but a deep, Spirit-given revelation of who Jesus truly was. While others might have simply known Jesus as a miracle-worker or prophet, this man perceived His ultimate divine authority and messianic claim.
- This direct address is both an act of faith and a theological confession. It challenges those around who were unable or unwilling to recognize Jesus' messianic identity despite seeing His works. It is a powerful affirmation that echoes in the Triumphal Entry and various healing narratives.
- have mercy on me (ἐλέησόν με - eleēson me): This is a direct imperative, a fervent plea for compassion and help.
- have mercy (eleēson): The Greek verb eleeō goes beyond simple pity; it implies active compassion that leads to help or deliverance, especially for those in need, suffering, or in a vulnerable state. It’s a common cry to God for relief from distress, punishment, or affliction. It acknowledges one's helplessness and absolute dependence on the one petitioned.
- This cry indicates that the blind man understood Jesus' power as linked to divine mercy. He isn't asking for justice or a transaction, but for an outpouring of unmerited favor and compassion. This plea embodies humility and a recognition of his utter dependence on Jesus' benevolence.
- Words-Group Analysis:
- "And he cried... Son of David": This phrase captures the man's urgent, faith-filled declaration of Jesus' identity. His strong vocalization ("cried") underscores his conviction and determination, while "Son of David" reveals a deep theological insight not common among the crowds or even the disciples at this point. It marks him as someone who, though physically blind, possesses remarkable spiritual sight.
- "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me": This complete invocation is a powerful prayer. It combines personal address ("Jesus"), correct messianic title ("Son of David"), and an earnest petition for divine intervention ("have mercy on me"). It reflects the man's humility, faith, and recognition of Jesus' dual nature as both human (able to be addressed) and divine (possessor of power and mercy associated with the Son of David).
Luke 18 38 Bonus section
The blind man's bold cry of "Son of David" occurs shortly before Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where the crowds would later echo a similar acclamation ("Hosanna to the Son of David," Matt 21:9). This blind man, therefore, becomes a prophetic voice, articulating Jesus' true identity before many others publicly recognize it. His persistent action and the crowd's attempts to silence him highlight a common biblical theme: those on the margins or considered least significant often demonstrate the greatest faith and spiritual insight, challenging conventional wisdom and religious structures. This encounter also sets up a spiritual test for those witnessing it, as Jesus always responds to such earnest, faith-filled cries for mercy, often revealing His divine character in the process.
Luke 18 38 Commentary
Luke 18:38 portrays a quintessential moment of active faith in the face of desperate need. The blind man, whose name Bartimaeus is given in the parallel account in Mark, embodies the spiritual posture Jesus encourages throughout Luke. His urgent, loud cry—"Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me"—is far more than a request for alms; it's a confession of faith and a profound act of spiritual discernment. While others may have seen Jesus as merely a man or a prophet, this man, through his physical blindness, perceived Jesus' true messianic identity as the promised Son of David. This specific title demonstrates his belief in Jesus' royal authority and capacity to fulfill Old Testament prophecies of healing and deliverance. His persistent plea for "mercy" rather than just "healing" points to a deeper understanding that all good things, especially miraculous interventions, flow from divine compassion. This narrative powerfully contrasts the man's spiritual insight with the lack of understanding in the seeing crowd and even the disciples. It illustrates that true sight is not merely physical, but spiritual perception of who Jesus is and absolute dependence upon His sovereign mercy. This serves as a pattern for believers to approach Christ with humility, recognition of His identity, and unwavering, persistent faith, trusting in His compassion for our every need.