Matthew 20 32

Matthew 20:32 kjv

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

Matthew 20:32 nkjv

So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Matthew 20:32 niv

Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

Matthew 20:32 esv

And stopping, Jesus called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Matthew 20:32 nlt

When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Matthew 20 verses

Matthew 20 32 Meaning

Matthew 20:32 recounts a pivotal moment during Jesus' journey from Jericho to Jerusalem. Jesus, upon hearing the cries of two blind men, stopped and called them to Himself. His direct question, "What do you want Me to do for you?", expresses His intentional compassion, willingness to engage directly with the marginalized, and desire for them to articulate their specific need and faith, despite the surrounding crowd and the urgency of His final journey. This verse highlights Jesus' sovereignty, availability, and active concern for those who call upon Him in earnest.

Matthew 20 32 Context

Matthew chapter 20 is situated during Jesus' final journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, a path that foreshadows His Passion. Preceding this verse, Jesus has just foretold His death and resurrection for the third time to His disciples (Mt 20:17-19), emphasizing His ultimate mission to suffer and serve. He has also addressed the disciples' desires for prominence (Mt 20:20-28), contrasting worldly power with Kingdom servanthood ("the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many"). Immediately after this teaching on servanthood, the scene shifts to Jericho, where Jesus encounters two blind men crying out for mercy. This encounter serves as a profound illustration of Jesus embodying the very servanthood He just taught, stopping His journey and humbly attending to the specific needs of the marginalized, demonstrating His kingdom principles in action.

Historically and culturally, blind individuals in ancient Israel often faced severe social and economic hardship, frequently reduced to begging (Mk 10:46). Their condition was sometimes erroneously associated with sin (Jn 9:2). For Jesus to stop His important journey, interrupt the crowds, and directly engage with these socially ostracized men highlighted His extraordinary compassion, challenged prevailing social hierarchies, and powerfully affirmed the worth and dignity of every individual, especially the forgotten. His willingness to acknowledge their request before granting healing was significant; it validated their personal agency and encouraged them to verbalize their faith, rather than simply imposing a miracle.

Matthew 20 32 Word analysis

• So (καὶ - kai): A conjunction meaning "and" or "so," often introducing a consequence or sequence of events. Here, it signals the immediate reaction or progression from the blind men's cries (Mt 20:31).
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The divine Son of God, the Christ, who acts with authority and compassion. His presence transforms circumstances.
• stood still (στὰς - stas): A participle of the verb "ἵστημι" (histēmi), meaning "to stand," "to stop," "to cause to stand." This emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and conscious decision to halt His progress, amidst a journey and a following multitude. It demonstrates intentionality and prioritization of the needy over His schedule or the expectations of the crowd.
• called (φωνήσας - phōnēsas): A participle of "φωνέω" (phōneō), meaning "to call out," "to shout," "to summon." This indicates Jesus' active initiation of contact with the blind men. He did not wait for them to come closer or be led; He directly beckoned them, highlighting His personal engagement.
• them (αὐτούς - autous): Referring to the two blind men (as per Mt 20:30). Jesus addresses them personally and collectively, acknowledging their plea.
• and said (εἶπεν - eipen): From "λέγω" (legō), "to say," "to speak." Signifies direct communication.
• "What (τί - ti) do you want (θέλετε - thelete) Me (μοι - moi) to do (ποιῆσαι - poiēsai) for you (ὑμῖν - humin)?":
  • What (τί - ti): An interrogative pronoun, signaling an open-ended question. Jesus doesn't assume their need, but invites them to specify it.
  • do you want (θέλετε - thelete): From "θέλω" (thelō), meaning "to wish," "to will," "to desire." This word conveys not just a casual want, but an active desire or choice. Jesus engages their will and agency. It's an invitation for them to articulate their deepest longing, aligning their will with His power.
  • Me (μοι - moi): The dative case of "I" (ego), emphasizing that Jesus is the agent of the requested action. It places Him in the position of provider, highlighting His authority and ability.
  • to do (ποιῆσαι - poiēsai): An infinitive of "ποιέω" (poieō), meaning "to do," "to make," "to perform." This refers to the concrete action or miracle they desire.
  • for you (ὑμῖν - humin): The dative case of "you" (hymeis), explicitly centering the action on their benefit.

Words-group Analysis

• So Jesus stood still: This phrase underscores Jesus' unique authority and profound compassion. Amidst a bustling crowd and His critical journey to Jerusalem, Jesus intentionally halts. This deliberate pause signifies His willingness to transcend conventional priorities and address the needs of the vulnerable. It reflects His Kingdom values where the forgotten are made visible.
• called them: Jesus initiates contact. He doesn't wait for them to overcome their limitations (blindness) or social barriers (crowd interference) to reach Him. Instead, He proactively reaches out, demonstrating accessibility and a personal interest in their plight. This proactive call shows His personal invitation into interaction and blessing.
• and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?": This is a direct, open-ended, and profound question. It serves multiple purposes:
  1. Validates their personhood: Instead of just imposing a miracle, Jesus acknowledges their will and right to articulate their need.
  2. Elicits faith: While their cries of "Lord, have mercy!" indicated faith, this specific question invites a precise confession of their need and belief in His power to fulfill it. It brings their internal desire into external, verbal expression.
  3. Highlights His power: By asking what He could do, Jesus implicitly states His capacity to do anything for them, inviting a specific petition within His divine authority. It frames Him as the divine source of supply.
  4. Illustrates true servanthood: Following His teaching on serving, this question is the epitome of the "Son of Man came not to be served but to serve." He serves by offering to meet their precise, self-articulated need.

Matthew 20 32 Bonus section

This incident of Jesus stopping for the blind men (also narrated in Mk 10:46-52 and Lk 18:35-43) often occurs right before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The contrast between His messianic journey and His pause for the outcasts is significant. It underscores that His Kingship is defined by humility and service to the vulnerable, not by earthly power and fanfare alone. The question "What do you want Me to do for you?" serves as a powerful model for prayer, emphasizing that prayer should be specific and flow from a true desire known to the one praying. It moves beyond generic "bless me" to a focused declaration of need or petition. This interaction also subtly counters the common understanding of leadership, as Jesus, the Lord, assumes the posture of one ready to serve. His willingness to stop and address their individual need serves as an ongoing example for His disciples to actively seek out and meet the needs of those around them, especially the often-ignored or disadvantaged, prioritizing individual souls over societal momentum or personal agenda.

Matthew 20 32 Commentary

Matthew 20:32 presents Jesus embodying the very teaching He just delivered about servanthood and sacrifice. His stopping of the multitude, His deliberate call to the marginalized, and His profound question, "What do you want Me to do for you?", highlight several critical theological and practical points. It reveals Jesus' divine compassion, a compassion so profound it overrides expediency and societal norms to prioritize individuals, particularly the afflicted and overlooked. The act of "standing still" demonstrates Jesus' authority over circumstances and His deliberate choice to be attentive. By calling the blind men, He extends an invitation of grace, not waiting for them to navigate the crowd or their disability, but reaching out directly. The question itself is not born of ignorance but an invitation to verbalize their specific desire. This encourages their active participation, confirming their belief in His power and their personal ownership of their request. It’s an assurance that God desires not just vague prayers but specific, heart-felt petitions. This engagement elevates their dignity and prompts an exercise of faith. For us today, it assures us that Christ is not distant or uninterested but invites us to come boldly, state our specific needs, and trust in His limitless ability to answer, reminding us that prayer is a direct, personal dialogue with a willing and compassionate Savior.