Luke 18 39

Luke 18:39 kjv

And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Luke 18:39 nkjv

Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Luke 18:39 niv

Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Luke 18:39 esv

And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Luke 18:39 nlt

"Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 39 Meaning

Luke 18:39 portrays a poignant scene where a blind man, seeking mercy from Jesus, faces rebuke from the crowd that precedes Jesus. Despite their efforts to silence him, the man's faith and desperation compel him to cry out with even greater intensity, addressing Jesus with the significant messianic title, "Son of David," and reiterating his earnest plea for mercy. This verse highlights the tension between societal expectations or human limitations and a desperate, unwavering faith that breaks through obstacles to reach Jesus. It underscores the profound persistence required to access divine compassion and healing, asserting that true need and recognition of Christ's authority will not be silenced.

Luke 18 39 Context

Luke 18:39 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus's encounter with a blind man near Jericho. It is part of the final segment of Jesus's journey to Jerusalem, a period filled with significant teachings, parables, and healings, often illustrating themes of discipleship, humility, and the nature of God's kingdom.

The verses immediately preceding (Lk 18:31-34) show Jesus once again predicting His suffering, death, and resurrection, which His disciples struggle to understand. Then, the scene shifts abruptly to Jericho. As Jesus approaches the city (though Mark's and Matthew's accounts place it as He departs Jericho, Luke frames it as He "drew near"), a blind beggar sits by the roadside (Lk 18:35). Hearing the commotion of a large crowd, he inquires what is happening and is told "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by" (Lk 18:37). Immediately, the man cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Lk 18:38).

Verse 39, then, directly details the crowd's reaction to the man's desperate cry: they attempt to silence him. This reflects typical societal attitudes towards beggars and the disabled, who were often marginalized. The crowd, perhaps wanting to maintain decorum around Jesus or simply seeing the man as an interruption, attempts to dismiss him. However, the blind man's determined response to cry out even more vehemently sets the stage for Jesus's compassionate intervention in the verses that follow (Lk 18:40-43), where Jesus commands that the man be brought to Him and restores his sight. This narrative starkly contrasts human barriers with divine willingness to engage with the humble and persistent.

Luke 18 39 Word analysis

• And those who went before: Greek: "οἱ προάγοντες" (hoi proagontes). This refers to the crowd or a segment of disciples who were walking ahead of Jesus. They were essentially forming the vanguard of Jesus's procession, indicative of His growing popularity.
• rebuked him: Greek: "ἐπετίμων αὐτῷ" (epetimōn autō). The verb "epetimaō" is strong, meaning to reprimand, sternly warn, or scold. It conveys a sense of sharp disapproval, intended to exert control or authority over another's behavior. The rebuke was an attempt to enforce order and silence, viewing the man's cries as an unwarranted disturbance. This is the same verb Jesus uses to rebuke demons or even Peter, but here, it's misguidedly used against a person seeking divine help.
• telling him to be silent: Greek: "ἵνα σιγήσῃ" (hina sigēsē). "Sigaō" means to be quiet, to hold one's peace, or to keep silent. It is a direct command, reinforcing their intent to stop the man's public outburst. The implication is that his crying out was improper or undignified.
• But he cried out: Greek: "ἀλλὰ αὐτὸς μᾶλλον ἔκραζεν" (alla autos mallon ekrazen). The "alla" (but) marks a strong contrast. "Ekrazen" (imperfect tense of "krazō") means to cry out, scream, or shout loudly, often out of distress, strong emotion, or urgency. It suggests a guttural, impassioned plea.
• all the more: Greek: "πολλῷ μᾶλλον" (pollō mallon). This emphatic phrase means "much more," "all the more," or "with much greater intensity." It highlights the man's incredible resolve and escalating desperation. Instead of being deterred by the rebuke, his determination intensified.
• 'Son of David, have mercy on me!': This entire phrase, already articulated in verse 38, is repeated by the blind man. His continued use of the Messianic title "Son of David" (Lk 18:38) despite the crowd's opposition demonstrates his deep conviction regarding Jesus's identity as the long-awaited Messiah, a descendant of King David who possessed the authority to perform miracles and extend compassion. His plea "have mercy on me!" (Greek: "ἐλέησόν με!" - eleēson me!) is a humble, yet powerful, entreaty for divine compassion and intervention. It recognizes his need and Jesus's power to alleviate his suffering, both physical and spiritual.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And those who went before rebuked him, telling him to be silent.": This group of words describes the immediate human obstacle the blind man faced. It portrays the collective attempt by those closest to Jesus—or at least forming His entourage—to control the interaction and prevent perceived disruptions. Their action, while perhaps motivated by a desire for order, reveals a lack of empathy and spiritual discernment regarding the urgency of the man's need and the compassionate nature of Christ's mission.
• "But he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'": This phrase represents the blind man's unwavering faith and determined perseverance in the face of opposition. His escalated cry is not just a louder voice, but a declaration of his resolute belief in Jesus's identity and His power to save. This profound commitment distinguishes him from the physically "seeing" crowd, whose spiritual blindness prevents them from recognizing a moment of divine grace unfolding before them. It is a testament to the power of desperate faith.

Luke 18 39 Bonus section

• Irony of Disciples/Crowd: It's ironic that those presumably following Jesus, who had witnessed His compassion and miraculous power, would try to impede someone from approaching Him for healing. This suggests a continued struggle even among those close to Christ to fully grasp the inclusive and merciful nature of His mission. They often tried to control access to Jesus or misunderstand His priorities.
• Spiritual Blindness vs. Physical Blindness: The passage subtly draws a distinction between the physically blind man, who has spiritual insight into Jesus's identity, and the "seeing" crowd, who appear spiritually blind to the divine opportunity unfolding before them. This echoes a recurring theme in the Gospels where Jesus contrasts the perception of the humble with the misconception of the privileged or the outwardly observant.
• Jesus's Unwavering Attention: Despite the commotion and the crowd's interference, Jesus remained attuned to the single voice of desperation. He did not let the many silence the one, demonstrating His individualized compassion and readiness to respond to genuine need and faith. This emphasizes that Jesus's availability is not dictated by popular opinion or attempts at control but by the sincerity of an individual's cry.

Luke 18 39 Commentary

Luke 18:39 offers a profound lesson on faith, perseverance, and divine compassion. The scene paints a stark contrast between human reactions and God's nature. The "crowd," possibly including some disciples, attempts to silence the blind man. Their actions could stem from various motivations: maintaining orderly passage for Jesus, dismissiveness towards a "mere" beggar, or perhaps even a misguided protective instinct for Jesus, shielding Him from distractions. This attempt to silence can be a reflection of how societal norms, human judgments, or even well-intentioned but ill-conceived religious conventions can stand in the way of individuals desperately seeking Jesus.

However, the blind man's response is the spiritual heart of the verse. Rather than being intimidated or discouraged by the rebuke, his desperation and faith ignite further, causing him to cry out "all the more." This increased intensity demonstrates that true spiritual hunger cannot be suppressed by human opposition. His repeated appeal to Jesus as "Son of David" reveals a deep messianic understanding. Despite his physical blindness, he possessed a clear spiritual sight, recognizing Jesus's true identity and authority as the one who could truly help him. This title was a potent theological affirmation, acknowledging Jesus as the promised deliverer from David's line, signifying His rightful claim to kingship and divine power.

This moment highlights that accessing Jesus often requires extraordinary persistence and a willingness to transcend societal or human-imposed barriers. The man's desperate plea was not a polite request but an urgent, impassioned cry born out of profound need and unshakeable conviction. Jesus's subsequent halt and call for the man (Lk 18:40) validate the man's persistence and faith, underscoring that Jesus is attentive to those who truly seek Him, regardless of their social standing or how others try to diminish them. It's a testament to the truth that God honors relentless faith over religious decorum or human impatience.