Matthew 20:29 kjv
And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
Matthew 20:29 nkjv
Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.
Matthew 20:29 niv
As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.
Matthew 20:29 esv
And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him.
Matthew 20:29 nlt
As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind.
Matthew 20 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 20:17 | As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem... | Context: Jesus's journey towards Jerusalem. |
| Mt 19:1 | When Jesus had finished these sayings, He went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. | Broader context of Jesus moving south. |
| Mk 10:46 | They came to Jericho. As He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude... | Parallel account, affirming the crowd. |
| Lk 18:35 | As He drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging... | Parallel account, specifically entering Jericho prior. |
| Lk 19:1 | He entered Jericho and was passing through. | Parallel account, Zacchaeus story follows this in Luke. |
| Deut 34:1 | Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. | Jericho as a significant OT geographical marker. |
| Josh 6:26 | At that time Joshua pronounced this oath: “Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho.” | Jericho's historical significance, associated with curse and restoration. |
| Isa 6:9 | “Go, and say to this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand...’ ” | Concept of spiritual blindness, contrasting with physical healing. |
| Jer 1:11-12 | The word of the Lord came to me: “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch in bloom.” Then the Lord said, “You have seen well...” | God revealing through sight; contrasting with the blind. |
| Isa 35:5 | Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. | Prophetic fulfillment in Jesus's healing miracles. |
| Ps 146:8 | The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. | God as the one who grants sight. |
| Mt 4:25 | And great crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan. | Demonstrates Jesus's consistent popularity and large crowds. |
| Mt 12:15 | Jesus withdrew from there... And great crowds followed Him, and He healed them all. | Large crowds seeking Jesus for healing. |
| Mt 13:2 | Such great crowds gathered to Him that He got into a boat... | Jesus's appeal to large crowds for teaching. |
| Lk 5:15 | But now even more the report about Him went abroad, and great crowds would gather to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. | Crowds follow Jesus for both teaching and healing. |
| Jn 6:2 | And a large crowd was following Him, because they saw the signs that He was doing on the sick. | Crowds follow Him because of His miraculous works. |
| Mk 8:27 | Jesus went on with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. | Jesus traveling with His disciples and others. |
| Lk 9:51 | When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. | Jesus's deliberate movement towards Jerusalem. |
| Mt 20:20-28 | ...the mother of the sons of Zebedee... then Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them... But whoever would be great among you must be your servant...” | Immediate context: teachings on servant leadership, setting the stage for demonstrating compassion. |
| Mt 9:27-31 | And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” | Other instances of two blind men being healed, echoing a pattern. |
| Lk 18:43 | And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. | Outcome of healing, emphasizing following and glorifying God. |
| Mk 1:28 | And at once His fame spread everywhere... | The broad impact and reach of Jesus's ministry, drawing crowds. |
| Zech 8:22 | Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD. | Prophetic implication of Gentiles/multitudes coming to Jerusalem, connected to God's work. |
| Is 42:6-7 | I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand... to open the eyes that are blind... | The Messiah's role in spiritual and physical sight. |
Matthew 20 verses
Matthew 20 29 Meaning
Matthew 20:29 describes the setting for a significant encounter: Jesus's departure from Jericho towards Jerusalem, accompanied by a large crowd. This verse marks a pivotal geographical and narrative point, immediately preceding the healing of two blind men. It emphasizes Jesus's journey, His popular appeal, and the immediate context in which miraculous power is displayed. The movement from Jericho symbolizes the final leg of Jesus's earthly journey to Jerusalem, where His Passion would unfold, while the "great multitude" signifies both a general interest in His teachings and a gathering of those who would witness His final acts and ultimately His crucifixion and resurrection.
Matthew 20 29 Context
Matthew chapter 20 is situated within Jesus's final journey to Jerusalem for His crucifixion. Immediately preceding verse 29, Jesus has just taught His disciples about servanthood and humility (Mat 20:20-28), countering their worldly ambitions for status and power in the Kingdom. He explicitly states that He came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mat 20:28). This teaching underscores the self-sacrificial nature of true leadership in the Kingdom, setting the moral and theological backdrop for the upcoming events in Jericho. Jericho, a prominent city, was often the last major stop for pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem. Historically, it held significant Old Testament connections as the first city conquered by Joshua in the Promised Land, symbolizing new beginnings, but also the place where Elijah was taken up (2 Ki 2:4) and Elisha healed the bitter waters (2 Ki 2:19-22). At the time of Jesus, Jericho was a wealthy city, known for its palm groves and balsam trade. The bustling atmosphere of the city, combined with the impending Passover pilgrimage, meant many travelers and residents would be present, naturally leading to a "great multitude" when a renowned teacher and miracle-worker like Jesus passed through. This scene emphasizes Jesus's deliberate movement towards His destiny and His continuous engagement with the public, even amidst intimate discipleship lessons.
Matthew 20 29 Word analysis
- And (Καὶ - Kai): This conjunction links the verse directly to the preceding narrative, signaling a continuation of Jesus's journey and ministry rather than a new, isolated event. It emphasizes the flow of events towards Jerusalem.
- as they departed (ἐκπορευομένων αὐτῶν - ekporeuomenōn autōn): This phrase describes an ongoing action – the multitude, including Jesus and His disciples, were in the process of leaving Jericho. The verb ekporeuomai (to go out, depart) suggests a movement from one place to another. This detail highlights that the healing occurred during the departure, not before or after reaching a destination, signifying Jesus's constant availability to minister.
- from Jericho (ἀπὸ Ἰεριχώ - apo Ierichō): This identifies the specific location. Jericho (often "City of Palms") holds rich historical and theological significance, dating back to Joshua's conquest (Josh 6), Elijah and Elisha (2 Ki 2). For pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem from Transjordan or Galilee, Jericho was a crucial waypoint. Its geographical position made it a common place for large crowds to gather.
- a great multitude (ὄχλος πολὺς - ochlos polys): Ochlos refers to a large crowd or throng, implying many people, possibly disorderly. Polys (great, much, numerous) emphasizes the significant size of the crowd. This phrase is consistently used in the Gospels to describe the vast numbers who followed Jesus, drawn by His teachings, miracles, and the hope He offered. Their presence here is a common backdrop to Jesus's ministry and foreshadows their later participation in the passion narrative.
- followed Him (ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ - ēkolouthēsen autō): The verb akoloutheō means to follow, accompany, or attend. It can signify literal physical trailing, but often implies discipleship and adherence to Jesus's teachings (Mt 4:20; Mt 9:9). In this context, it indicates the crowd physically moved with Jesus, eager to hear more, witness His power, or perhaps hoping for a share of His blessings. Their act of following positions them to witness the miracle that immediately follows.
Matthew 20 29 Bonus section
The detail of "two blind men" in Matthew's account (Mt 20:30) contrasts with Mark and Luke, who mention one blind man (Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46, unnamed in Luke 18:35). This variation is not a contradiction but reflects the distinct emphasis and reporting style of each Gospel writer. Matthew often doubles figures (e.g., two demon-possessed men in Gerasene, two blind men in 9:27, two donkeys at the triumphal entry) possibly to enhance the witness or to convey a more robust attestation. The specific geographical detail "from Jericho" links this narrative to other biblical accounts involving the city, from the fall of its walls under Joshua to Elijah's departure and Elisha's subsequent ministry. It served as a symbolic threshold in Israelite history and continues to be a place of encounter with divine power in the New Testament. The mere presence of "a great multitude" following Jesus highlights the growing fervor and anticipation surrounding Him as Passover approached, indicating that His fame had truly spread, fulfilling prophetic expectations of the Messiah drawing many.
Matthew 20 29 Commentary
Matthew 20:29 is a transitional verse, succinctly setting the stage for a powerful display of Jesus's compassion and authority as He approaches the culmination of His earthly ministry. The phrase "as they departed from Jericho" pinpoints the location and timing precisely, underscoring the dynamic nature of Jesus's journey and His unwavering focus on His mission towards Jerusalem. The "great multitude" that followed Him is a recurring motif in Matthew's Gospel, consistently depicting Jesus's popular appeal and the widespread interest in His words and works. This throng of people served multiple purposes: they were recipients of His teaching and healing, witnesses to His miracles, and a means for the report of His actions to spread. Their presence here is not merely incidental; it frames the subsequent miracle within a context of public witness and accessible grace. This short verse highlights Jesus's persistent engagement with people, even during a physically demanding and spiritually intense journey towards His ultimate sacrifice. It reaffirms His willingness to respond to human need regardless of the circumstances, contrasting the earlier worldly aspirations of His disciples with His own humble yet powerful ministry that continued even amidst throngs of people.