Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

MATTHEW 15:31KJV
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Matthew 15:31 (KJV)

What does Matthew 15:31 mean?

Matthew 15:31 describes how the crowds were amazed when they saw people who could not speak now talking, those who were injured or disabled now healed, those who could not walk now walking, and those who were blind now seeing; as a result, they praised the God of Israel. The verse highlights the public reaction to Jesus’ miracles, showing both wonder and a recognition of God’s power at work.

In this scene, Jesus is surrounded by a large group of people in a region near the Sea of Galilee. He has just healed many who were suffering from various physical problems. The people witnessing these events are not just surprised—they are deeply moved and respond by giving honor to the God of Israel, recognizing that something extraordinary and divine is happening through Jesus.

The Greek behind Matthew 15:31

  • "Wondered" (ἐθαύμασαν, ethaumasan): This word means to be amazed or astonished. The Greek here carries a sense of deep, almost overwhelming surprise, not just casual interest.
  • "Glorified" (ἐδόξασαν, edoxasan): This word means to give honor or praise. The crowd’s reaction is not just emotional but leads them to actively praise God, showing a connection between witnessing miracles and worship.
  • "Maimed" (κυλλούς, kullous) and "whole" (ὑγιεῖς, hygieis): The word for "maimed" refers to people with missing or deformed limbs, while "whole" means restored to full health. The contrast emphasizes the completeness of the healings.

Why Matthew 15:31 matters

  • Matthew 15:31 clears up any idea that Jesus’ miracles were private or unnoticed; the crowd’s amazement and praise show these were public, undeniable events.
  • The verse emphasizes that the response to Jesus’ works was not just personal benefit but a communal recognition of God’s glory, tying Jesus’ actions directly to the worship of the God of Israel.
  • This moment connects to the wider theme in Matthew of Jesus fulfilling the hopes of Israel and revealing God’s compassion to all, including those often left out or suffering.

Where else these words appear

“maimed” Greek G2948 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 15:30 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 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
  • Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

“dumb” Greek G2974 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 9:32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
  • Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
  • Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

“whole” Greek G5199 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
  • John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
  • John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

“lame” Greek G5560 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;