Luk 18:35-43 | NETfull | STEP | As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.

Luke 18:35-43

Healing a Blind Man

35 As ^{▼▼ Grk “Now it happened that as.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.} Jesus ^{▼▼ Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.} approached ^{▼▼ The phrase is “he drew near to” (19:29; 24:28). It is also possible the term merely means “is in the vicinity of.” Also possible is a reversal in the timing of the healing and Zacchaeus events for literary reasons as the blind man “sees” where the rich man with everything did not.} Jericho, ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.} a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was going on. 37 They ^{▼▼ Here δέ (de) has not been translated. “They” could refer to bystanders or people in the crowd.} told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.” 38 So ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the blind man learning that Jesus was nearby.} he called out, ^{▼▼ Grk “called out, saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.} “Jesus, Son of David, ^{▼▼ Jesus was more than a Nazarene to this blind person, who saw quite well that Jesus was Son of David. He understood what Luke 7:22–23 affirms. There was a tradition in Judaism that the Son of David (Solomon) had great powers of healing (Josephus, Ant. 8.2.5 [8.42–49]).} have mercy ^{▼▼ Have mercy on me is a request for healing (cf. 17:13). It is not owed the man. He simply asks for God’s kind grace.} on me!” 39 And those who were in front ^{▼▼ That is, those who were at the front of the procession.} scolded ^{▼▼ Or “rebuked.” The crowd’s view was that surely Jesus would not be bothered with someone as unimportant as a blind beggar.} him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted ^{▼▼ Public opinion would not sway the blind man from getting Jesus’ attention. The term shouted is strong as it can be used of animal cries.} even more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 So ^{▼▼ Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the beggar’s cries.} Jesus stopped and ordered the beggar ^{▼▼ Grk “ordered him”; the referent (the blind beggar, v. 35) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} to be brought to him. When the man ^{▼▼ Grk “he”; the referent (the beggar) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} came near, Jesus ^{▼▼ Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, ^{▼▼ Grk “said.”} “Lord, let me see again.” ^{▼▼ Grk “Lord, that I may see [again].” The phrase can be rendered as an imperative of request, “Please, give me sight.” Since the man is not noted as having been blind from birth (as the man in John 9 was) it is likely the request is to receive back the sight he once had.} 42 Jesus ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.} said to him, “Receive ^{▼▼ Or “Regain” (see the note on the phrase “let me see again” in the previous verse).} your sight; your faith has healed you.” ^{▼▼ Grk “has saved you,” but in a nonsoteriological sense; the man has been delivered from his disability.} 43 And immediately he regained ^{▼▼ Or “received” (see the note on the phrase “let me see again” in v. 41).} his sight and followed Jesus, ^{▼▼ Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} praising ^{▼▼ The presence of God’s work leads again to joy, with both the beggar and the people praising God (1:64; 2:20; 5:25–26; 7:16; 13:13; 17:15; 19:37).} God. When ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.} all the people saw it, they too ^{▼▼ The word “too” has been supplied for stylistic reasons.} gave praise to God.