Matthew 20:31 (KJV)

What does Matthew 20:31 mean?

Matthew 20:31 describes how a large crowd told two blind men to be quiet when they called out to Jesus, but the men shouted even louder, begging Jesus—whom they called "Lord, Son of David"—to have mercy on them. The verse shows the persistence of the blind men despite being discouraged by the people around them.

In this scene, Jesus is traveling with a crowd, and two blind men sitting by the roadside begin to cry out for his attention. The crowd, referred to as "the multitude," tries to silence them, but the men refuse to give up and call out even more urgently. Their use of the title "Son of David" points to their belief that Jesus is the promised Messiah, and their plea for mercy highlights their desperate need and faith.

The Greek behind Matthew 20:31

• ἐπετίμησεν (epetimēsen, "rebuked"): This word means to strongly warn or scold. The crowd is not just asking the men to be quiet, but actively trying to shut them down, showing a sharp contrast between the crowd’s attitude and the blind men's determination.
• ἡσυχάωσιν (hēsychōsin, "hold their peace"): This word carries the sense of being silent or still. The crowd wants the blind men to stop making noise and not disturb Jesus, reflecting a common social attitude toward those seen as bothersome or unimportant.
• ἐκράζον (ekrazon, "cried"): This verb means to shout or cry out loudly. The blind men are not whispering or politely asking; they are raising their voices with urgency and emotion, emphasizing their desperation and faith.
• ἐλέησον (eleēson, "have mercy"): This word means to show compassion or pity. The blind men are not asking for money or favors, but for Jesus’s compassion, which is a central theme in many Gospel stories.

Why Matthew 20:31 matters

• The verse highlights the persistence of those in need, showing that faith can mean continuing to seek help even when others try to discourage or silence you.
• The crowd’s reaction reveals how people can sometimes act as barriers to those seeking Jesus, whether intentionally or not.
• The use of the title "Son of David" connects this moment to Old Testament promises about the Messiah, showing that even those on the margins recognized Jesus’s true identity.