Matthew 21 14

Matthew 21:14 kjv

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

Matthew 21:14 nkjv

Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

Matthew 21:14 niv

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.

Matthew 21:14 esv

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.

Matthew 21:14 nlt

The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 14 Meaning

Matthew 21:14 describes Jesus' compassionate acts of healing for the blind and lame who approached Him within the Temple courts after He had cleansed it. This verse demonstrates Jesus' divine authority, power, and mercy, presenting Him as the fulfillment of prophetic expectations of the Messiah who would bring restoration and healing, even in a space intended for divine worship but often marred by corruption.

Matthew 21 14 Context

Matthew 21:14 occurs immediately after Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (21:1-11) and His subsequent cleansing of the Temple courts (21:12-13). Jesus had just overturned the tables of money changers and sellers of sacrificial animals, denouncing their commercialization of a sacred space meant for prayer for all nations. By cleansing the Temple, Jesus asserted His divine authority and rightful ownership over God's house, implicitly challenging the corrupt religious leadership. In this context, the healing of the blind and lame serves as a tangible demonstration of Jesus' authentic spiritual power and His compassionate reign, directly following an act of judgment and purification within the very same defiled Temple precincts. It foreshadows His true restorative mission for humanity, providing both spiritual and physical renewal in contrast to the unproductive practices of the religious elite.

Matthew 21 14 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): Connects this action directly to the previous events of the Temple cleansing, implying a logical flow. After asserting His authority by driving out corruption, Jesus demonstrates His restorative power.
• the blind (οἱ τυφλοὶ - hoi typhloi): From typhlos, referring to individuals without sight. In the biblical worldview, blindness often symbolized spiritual ignorance or distance from God (cf. Isa 42:7, John 9). Healing the blind was a clear Messianic sign (Isa 35:5, Isa 61:1).
• and the lame (καὶ οἱ χωλοὶ - kai hoi chōloi): From chōlos, meaning crippled or physically impaired, particularly unable to walk properly. Lame people, like the blind, were often marginalized and considered ritually impure or unable to fully participate in Temple worship. Healing them demonstrated God's compassionate inclusion.
• came to him (προσῆλθον αὐτῷ - prosēlthon autō): Signifies an intentional approach, implying faith or desperation on the part of those afflicted. It was not a passive encounter but an active seeking of Jesus. The action implies Jesus was accessible and welcoming.
• in the temple (ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ - en tō hierō): The specific location is crucial. The Temple, a place for worship and prayer, was also a place where money changers and merchants had operated. Jesus’ healing here underscores His divine authority within God’s own house. It contrasted with the practices that exploited the vulnerable and highlighted His rightful domain. The temple courts were open to such individuals, unlike the inner sanctuaries.
• and he healed them (καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτούς - kai etherapeusen autous): From therapeuō, meaning to cure, heal, or serve. This term emphasizes a caring, comprehensive restoration, often implying a process or attention to the person, rather than just an instant miraculous change (though it could include that). It showcases Jesus' power to bring physical wholeness.

• "The blind and the lame came to him": This phrase highlights Jesus' immediate availability and willingness to minister to the vulnerable and marginalized immediately after confronting the corruption of the Temple. Their act of coming signifies an implicit trust or desperate hope in His power. These are precisely the groups prophesied to benefit from the Messiah's coming.
• "in the temple, and he healed them": The setting of the healing is pivotal. The Temple was supposed to be a place of encounter with God, and Jesus makes it so, directly bringing God's healing and restoration. His actions contrast sharply with the exploitation previously occurring there, indicating a re-consecration of the space through divine compassion and power. It also demonstrates His Messianic authority in the very heart of Jewish religious life, where many of those present, including religious leaders, could witness His works.

Matthew 21 14 Bonus section

The act of healing the blind and the lame in the Temple underscored a subtle yet potent polemic against the existing religious order. Lame and blind individuals were, according to some interpretations of the Law (Lev 21:18, 23), excluded from priestly service or even from entering certain parts of the Temple area (2 Sam 5:8 is often cited in relation to "lame and blind" being objects of contempt). By actively welcoming and healing these specific groups within the very precincts of the Temple, Jesus defied perceived barriers and demonstrated an inclusive and restorative understanding of God's grace that transcended mere ritualistic purity. His actions effectively "repurified" the Temple, making it once again a house of prayer and healing for all, just as His Father intended, thereby displacing the practices that had made it exclusive or commercial. This public demonstration of Messianic power also served as a clear sign for those with spiritual sight, yet ironically, it further incensed those whose spiritual blindness prevented them from recognizing God's work in their midst.

Matthew 21 14 Commentary

Matthew 21:14 stands as a powerful testament to Jesus' character and mission. After the dramatic Temple cleansing, Jesus immediately pivots from righteous indignation against corruption to profound compassion for the suffering. This verse demonstrates that Jesus' authority is not merely punitive but fundamentally redemptive. By healing the blind and lame in the Temple, Jesus validates His claim as the Lord of the Temple, bringing not merely judgment but restoration and life where there had been exploitation. This act fulfills prophecies concerning the Messiah (Isa 35:5-6, 42:7), affirming His identity in plain sight. It contrasts sharply with the religious establishment, which had turned the Temple into a marketplace, failing in its spiritual duties; Jesus, conversely, fills it with divine presence and miraculous healing. His actions declare that God's house is meant for all people, especially the outcasts, to experience His loving power. This moment reveals Jesus as both the King who purifies His house and the compassionate Shepherd who cares for His flock, embodying true worship through merciful action.