And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
MATTHEW 15:30KJVWhat does Matthew 15:30 mean?
Matthew 15:30 describes large crowds coming to Jesus, bringing people with all kinds of physical problems—those who could not walk, see, speak, or who were otherwise disabled—and laying them at Jesus’ feet, where he healed them all. This verse shows Jesus’ compassion and power to heal anyone who came to him, no matter how severe their condition.
In this part of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is traveling through the region, and word about his miracles has spread. The people in the crowd are not just curious; they are desperate for help, bringing their loved ones directly to Jesus. The verse highlights the variety of needs—lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others—and the fact that Jesus responds to every one of them, meeting physical needs in a public and unmistakable way.
The Greek behind Matthew 15:30
- The word for "multitudes" is ὄχλοι (ochloi, G3793), which refers to large crowds or masses of people, emphasizing just how many were seeking Jesus.
- "Maimed" is κυλλός (kyllos, G2948), which often means someone with a limb that is crippled or missing, showing the seriousness of the conditions brought to Jesus.
- The verb "cast" is ἔρριψαν (erripsan, G4496), which can mean to throw or lay down quickly, suggesting urgency and perhaps desperation as people brought the sick to Jesus’ feet.
- "Healed" is ἐθεράπευσεν (etherapeusen, G2323), a word that can mean both physical healing and attentive care, underlining both Jesus’ power and his personal attention to each person.
Why Matthew 15:30 matters
- This verse clears up the idea that Jesus only healed certain types of illnesses or only a few people; instead, he healed all kinds of conditions and many individuals at once.
- The emphasis on people bringing others to Jesus shows the community’s faith and hope, not just individual belief.
- Matthew 15:30 connects to the wider passage by setting up the amazement and praise that follows in verse 31, highlighting Jesus’ role as a healer and the fulfillment of messianic expectations.