Luke 18:40

KJV

And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} stood {G2476}, and commanded {G2753} him {G846} to be brought {G71} unto {G4314} him {G846}: and {G1161} when he {G846} was come near {G1448}, he asked {G1905} him {G846},

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he had come, Yeshua asked him,

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus stopped and directed that the man be brought to Him. When he had been brought near, Jesus asked him,

American Standard Version

And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 18:40 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, revealing His profound compassion and divine authority. Despite the bustling crowd and His pressing itinerary, Jesus deliberately halts His procession, commands that a persistent, blind beggar be brought directly to Him, and then personally engages the man by asking him what he desires. This act underscores Jesus' intentional focus on the marginalized, His power to override human obstacles, and His desire for a personal, faith-filled interaction with those who seek Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem, a period marked by significant teaching and miraculous activity. Immediately preceding this event, Jesus has just concluded the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), emphasizing the importance of unceasing prayer and unwavering faith. Following this, He had a difficult encounter with a rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-23) and then reiterated His impending suffering and resurrection to His disciples, though they did not understand (Luke 18:31-34). The blind beggar's persistent cries in [Luke 18:38](/luke/18-38 "Luke 18:38 - The Blind Man's Cry") and the crowd's attempt to silence him (Luke 18:39) set the stage for Jesus' compassionate intervention in [Luke 18:40](/luke/18-40 "Luke 18:40 - Jesus Stops for the Blind Man"). This entire episode in Jericho serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' kingdom values, contrasting with the world's priorities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho was a significant city, strategically located on the main road from Galilee to Jerusalem, making it a common stop for pilgrims. Blindness was a widespread affliction in the ancient world, often leading to extreme poverty and social ostracization, as blind individuals were typically unable to work and relied on begging for survival. Such individuals were often considered ritually unclean or even cursed, leading to their marginalization. The crowd's attempt to silence the blind man reflects the common societal disdain for beggars and their perceived insignificance. Jesus' action of stopping for and dignifying this outcast was a radical departure from the cultural norms of the day, highlighting His counter-cultural kingdom values and His heart for the vulnerable.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 18:40](/luke/18-40 "Luke 18:40 - Jesus Stops for the Blind Man") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. It powerfully illustrates Jesus' **divine compassion and attention to the marginalized**, demonstrating that no one is too insignificant to warrant His notice, especially those overlooked by society. It also highlights the **power of persistent faith** as seen in the blind man's unwavering cries despite opposition, echoing the lesson from the parable of the persistent widow in [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow"). Furthermore, Jesus' authoritative command reveals His **sovereign authority** over circumstances and crowds, ensuring access to those who genuinely seek Him. Finally, the act of Jesus asking the man what he wants underscores the theme of **personal engagement and dignity**, inviting individuals to articulate their needs and participate actively in their own restoration, a motif seen throughout Jesus' ministry, such as when He asks the paralytic in [John 5:6](/john/5-6 "John 5:6 - Do You Want to Get Well?") if he wants to get well.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **stood (Greek, _hístēmi'_):** This word (G2476) signifies a deliberate and authoritative halt to movement. It implies more than a casual pause; it is a purposeful action, indicating Jesus' immediate and focused attention to the blind man's cries, overriding any previous trajectory or schedule. It conveys a sense of establishing or setting oneself firmly.
* **commanded (Greek, _keleúō'_):** The verb (G2753) used here is a strong term for issuing an order or bidding someone to do something. It denotes Jesus' authority, not merely a suggestion or request. This command overrides the crowd's attempts to silence the beggar, ensuring that the man is brought directly into Jesus' presence, demonstrating divine sovereignty over human interference.
* **asked (Greek, _eperōtáō'_):** This word (G1905) means "to ask for," "to inquire," or "to seek." It implies a more formal or significant inquiry than a simple question. Jesus' asking is not born of ignorance but is an intentional invitation for the blind man to articulate his need, dignifying him and requiring an expression of faith and desire, even though Jesus already knew what the man sought.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus stood,"**: This phrase emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and immediate response to the blind man's persistent cries. Despite being on a significant journey towards Jerusalem and surrounded by a multitude, Jesus intentionally halts His progress, signifying His profound attention and willingness to interrupt His own agenda for the sake of an outcast.
* **"and commanded him to be brought unto him:"**: This clause highlights Jesus' divine authority. He does not merely wait for the man to be brought, nor does He allow the crowd's previous attempts to silence the beggar to prevail. Instead, He issues a direct, authoritative order, ensuring that the marginalized individual gains immediate and unobstructed access to His presence, overriding any social or physical barriers.
* **"and when he was come near,"**: This part of the verse describes the immediate obedience to Jesus' command and the blind man's proximity. It signifies the successful bridging of the gap between the needy individual and the compassionate Savior, setting the stage for a direct and personal encounter. The man's coming near is a testament to the power of Jesus' call and the man's own eager response.
* **"he asked him,"**: This final clause reveals Jesus' method of engagement. Despite knowing the man's obvious need, Jesus chooses to ask him directly what he wants. This act dignifies the man, inviting him to articulate his faith and desire, and making him an active participant in his own healing. It underscores Jesus' desire for personal interaction and a voiced expression of need, rather than a mere passive reception of a miracle.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 18:40 employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the stark difference between the crowd's attempt to silence and dismiss the blind beggar and Jesus' deliberate action to stop and call him near. This highlights Jesus' counter-cultural compassion and His focus on the marginalized. There is also a subtle **irony** in the scene: the physically blind man "sees" Jesus as the "Son of David" (Luke 18:38), recognizing His messianic identity, while the sighted crowd is spiritually blind to who Jesus truly is. The deliberate actions of Jesus—He **stood**, **commanded**, and **asked**—create a sense of **emphasis** through action, underscoring His intentionality and authority. This entire interaction also serves as **foreshadowing** of Jesus' broader redemptive work, where He continually reaches out to the outcast, restores sight (both physical and spiritual), and invites personal relationship and faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 18:40 beautifully illustrates the accessibility of God and His profound care for the individual, especially the marginalized. Jesus' deliberate halt and command demonstrate that God is not distant or indifferent to our cries, but actively intervenes to draw us near. This passage reinforces the theological truth that God initiates contact and creates a path for those who earnestly seek Him, overcoming any obstacles, whether societal or spiritual. It also highlights the importance of expressed faith and the dignifying nature of God's interaction, inviting us to articulate our needs rather than merely assuming His knowledge. This divine initiative and personal engagement are central to the covenant relationship God desires with humanity.

* [Matthew 20:32](/matthew/20-32 "Matthew 20:32 - Jesus Calls the Blind Men")
* [Psalm 34:18](/psalms/34-18 "Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted")
* [James 4:8](/james/4-8 "James 4:8 - Draw Near to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. In a world often characterized by busyness and distraction, Jesus' deliberate act of stopping for the one marginalized individual challenges us to re-evaluate our own priorities and cultivate a compassionate attentiveness to those in need around us. The blind man's persistence, despite the crowd's rebukes, reminds us of the power of unwavering faith and prayer; no obstacle, human or otherwise, can ultimately prevent us from reaching Jesus if we cry out to Him with genuine desire. Furthermore, Jesus' act of asking the man what he wanted, rather than simply performing a miracle, teaches us the importance of articulating our needs and desires to God. He invites us into a personal, dignifying relationship where our voiced prayers are valued, and our active participation in our spiritual journey is encouraged. We are called to approach Him with confidence, knowing He hears and desires to engage with us personally.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' deliberate halt in this passage challenge our own priorities and busyness in daily life?**
* **What "crowds" or external pressures might be trying to prevent you from drawing near to Jesus today, and how can you overcome them?**
* **In what areas of your life is Jesus inviting you to articulate your needs and desires to Him, rather than assuming He already knows?**
* **How can we emulate Jesus' compassion and intentional engagement with the marginalized in our own communities and spheres of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus ask the blind man what he wanted, even though it seemed obvious?**

Answer: Jesus' question was not due to ignorance but served several profound purposes. Firstly, it **dignified the man**, treating him as an individual with a voice and agency, rather than merely an object of pity. Secondly, it **invited an explicit expression of faith and desire**, requiring the man to articulate his need and actively participate in his own healing. This verbalization often solidifies one's faith and prepares the heart to receive. Thirdly, it served as a **public testimony** of the man's faith and Jesus' power, as the man's request and subsequent healing would be witnessed by the crowd. Finally, it models for us the nature of prayer: while God knows our needs before we ask (as seen in [Matthew 6:8](/matthew/6-8 "Matthew 6:8 - Your Father Knows What You Need")), He still desires us to [come boldly to His throne of grace](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace") and articulate our requests, fostering a deeper relationship built on communication and trust.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 18:40 is a powerful microcosm of Christ's entire redemptive mission. Jesus, the Son of God, deliberately "stood" in human history, interrupting the ordinary course of events to address humanity's deepest needs. His command for the blind man to "be brought unto him" foreshadows His universal call for all people, especially the spiritually blind and marginalized, to [come to Him, all who are weary and burdened](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"), promising rest and restoration. Just as He made a way for the physically blind man to approach, He has opened the way to God through His sacrifice, inviting us to [draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Draw Near with a True Heart"). His question, "What do you want me to do for you?" is not a sign of ignorance, but a profound invitation for us to acknowledge our spiritual brokenness and articulate our desire for salvation and healing. He is the Great Physician who came to give sight to the blind (as prophesied in [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - Good News to the Poor") and affirmed by Jesus in [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")), not just physically, but spiritually, offering a new life of clarity, purpose, and intimate relationship with God, a relationship where we are no longer outcasts but beloved children, brought near by His grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 20:31

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, [thou] Son of David.

Matthew 20:34

So Jesus had compassion [on them], and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Mark 10:48

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.

Mark 10:52

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.