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 18:39KJV
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Luke 18:39 (KJV)

What does Luke 18:39 mean?

Luke 18:39 describes how the people leading the way tried to silence a blind man who was calling out to Jesus, but the man shouted even louder, asking Jesus, whom he called "Son of David," to have mercy on him. This verse shows the persistence of someone in need, even when others try to quiet him.

In this scene, Jesus is traveling, and a blind beggar hears that Jesus is passing by. The people at the front of the crowd (likely those closest to Jesus or guiding the group) rebuke the blind man, telling him to be quiet. Instead of giving up, the man raises his voice even more, calling Jesus by a title that recognizes him as the Messiah ("Son of David") and begging for mercy. This moment highlights both the crowd's attempt to control access to Jesus and the blind man's determination and faith.

The Greek behind Luke 18:39

  • The word "rebuked" (ἐπετίμων, epetimon) often means to strongly warn or scold. Here, it shows the crowd's forceful attempt to stop the blind man from calling out.
  • "Hold his peace" comes from the Greek word σιγάω (sigaō), meaning to be silent or keep quiet. The crowd is not just asking politely but insisting that the man stop making noise.
  • "Cried" (ἔκραζεν, ekrazen) is a word used for loud, urgent shouting. The blind man's response is not timid; he raises his voice with even more intensity.
  • "Son of David" (υἱὲ Δαυίδ, huie Dauid) is a messianic title, showing that the blind man recognizes Jesus as the promised descendant of David, which adds weight to his plea for mercy.

Why Luke 18:39 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that only certain people could approach Jesus; it shows that even those whom others try to silence can reach out to him.
  • The strong words for both the crowd's rebuke and the man's shouting highlight the tension between social barriers and personal faith.
  • In the wider passage, this moment sets up Jesus' response, where he stops and listens to the blind man, showing his openness to those in need regardless of others' opinions.