Luke 18:35

What does Luke 18:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 18:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 18:35 means

As Jesus and His company approached Jericho, a blind man sat by the roadside, begging. This introduces the final narrative of the chapter. His blindness and poverty represent a state of profound helplessness and dependence. His position by the roadside signifies his marginalization from society, setting the stage for a dramatic encounter with Jesus and a powerful display of His compassionate power to restore both physical and spiritual sight.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it came about that when he got near Jericho, a certain blind man was seated by the side of the road, making requests for money from those who went by.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it came to pass, in his coming nigh to Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting beside the way begging,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, begging.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass when he came into the neighbourhood of Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the wayside begging.

Context

This verse shifts the narrative abruptly from Jesus's prophecy to a new encounter, signaling the arrival near Jericho. The introduction of the blind beggar sets up a powerful demonstration of Jesus's authority and compassion. This encounter stands in sharp contrast to the disciples' spiritual blindness (verse 34), offering a tangible example of sight being granted where it was desperately needed.

v.34And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said.

v.35This passage

v.36and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Samuel 2:8

    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, He lifteth up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, And inherit the throne of glory: For the pillars of the earth are Jehovah’s, And he hath set the world upon them.

  • Mark 10:46

    And they come to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timæus, Bartimæus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the way side.

  • Luke 16:20

    and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores,

  • John 9:8

    The neighbors therefore, and they that saw him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

  • Matthew 20:29

    And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

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