Luke 18:42

KJV

And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Receive thy sight {G308}: thy {G4675} faith {G4102} hath saved {G4982} thee {G4571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to him, “See again! your trust has healed you!”

Berean Standard Bible

“Receive your sight!” Jesus replied. “Your faith has healed you.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 18:42 records Jesus' powerful declaration to a blind beggar near Jericho, restoring his physical sight and affirming the profound role of his faith in bringing about this transformation. This pivotal moment underscores Jesus' divine authority, His compassion for the marginalized, and the holistic nature of salvation that encompasses both physical healing and spiritual wholeness, all initiated and empowered by genuine, persistent faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the dramatic account of Jesus healing a blind man (Luke 18:35-43), which immediately follows Jesus' third prediction of His passion and resurrection (Luke 18:31-34) and precedes the encounter with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). The narrative flow highlights Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem and His consistent demonstration of divine power and compassion, often in response to fervent faith. The blind man's persistent cries, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:38-39), set the stage for Jesus' intervention, contrasting sharply with the crowd's attempts to silence him. This miracle serves as a powerful illustration of the kingdom of God breaking into the present, bringing light to darkness, both literally and figuratively.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is near Jericho, a significant city on the route from Galilee to Jerusalem, especially during pilgrimage seasons like Passover. Blindness was a common affliction in the ancient world, often leading to a life of begging and social marginalization, as medical care was rudimentary. Blind individuals were frequently considered outcasts, sometimes even seen as being under divine judgment (cf. [John 9:1-2](/john/9-1-2 "John 9:1-2 - The Man Born Blind")). The blind man's position "by the wayside" (Luke 18:35) signifies his dependence on the charity of passersby. His address to Jesus as "Son of David" (Luke 18:38) is a messianic title, indicating a profound understanding or hope regarding Jesus' identity, a recognition that many others, including the religious elite, failed to grasp.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 18:42, within its broader context, powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in Luke's Gospel. Foremost is the **power of faith**, explicitly stated by Jesus as the catalyst for the man's healing and salvation. This narrative emphasizes that faith is not passive but active, characterized by persistence and a clear understanding of who Jesus is. Another significant theme is **divine compassion and accessibility**, as Jesus, despite being surrounded by a crowd and on a crucial journey, stops to attend to the cry of a marginalized individual. This highlights Jesus' ministry to the poor and outcast, a recurring motif in Luke (e.g., [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). The theme of **holistic salvation** is also prominent; while physical sight is restored, the use of `sṓzō` ("saved") implies a deeper, spiritual transformation, making the man "whole" in a comprehensive sense. Finally, the narrative underscores the **importance of persistence in prayer**, as the blind man's unwavering cries ultimately lead to Jesus' intervention, demonstrating that those who seek the Lord with earnestness will find Him (cf. [Luke 11:9-10](/luke/11-9-10 "Luke 11:9-10 - Ask, Seek, Knock")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** From G2036, this verb signifies to speak or say, often in a definitive or authoritative manner. In this context, it emphasizes Jesus' direct, intentional, and powerful pronouncement, not merely a casual remark but a divine decree that brings about immediate change.
* **sight (Greek, _anablépō'_):** From G308, this word means to look up or to recover sight. Its dual meaning is significant here: the man literally looks up to Jesus and then physically regains his vision. The recovery of sight is not just a restoration of a lost faculty but a new beginning, a profound transformation.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From G4102, this term denotes persuasion, credence, or moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. It encompasses trust, belief, and fidelity. Jesus attributes the miracle directly to the man's `pístis`, highlighting that it was his active trust and belief in Jesus' power and identity that unlocked the divine intervention.
* **saved (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** From G4982, this verb means to deliver, protect, heal, or make whole. While the immediate context is physical healing, the broader New Testament usage of `sṓzō` often refers to spiritual salvation. Here, it suggests a holistic deliverance – not only was his physical blindness cured, but he was also made spiritually whole, brought into a right relationship with God, and likely became a follower of Jesus, as indicated by his subsequent action of following Jesus (Luke 18:43).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus said unto him,"**: This opening phrase establishes Jesus' direct engagement with the blind man, emphasizing His personal attention and authority. It signals the immediate response to the man's fervent plea and Jesus' willingness to interrupt His journey for an individual in need.
* **"Receive thy sight:"**: This is Jesus' direct command, a powerful and authoritative declaration that instantly brings about the physical miracle. It is a divine imperative, demonstrating Jesus' sovereign power over physical infirmities. The use of "thy" personalizes the command, directly addressing the man's specific need.
* **"thy faith hath saved thee."**: This concluding statement is the theological heart of the verse. Jesus explicitly attributes the outcome not merely to His power alone, but to the man's `pístis` (faith). The verb `sṓzō` (saved) here carries a dual meaning, encompassing both the physical restoration of sight and a deeper, spiritual wholeness or salvation, indicating that the man's belief had profound, comprehensive implications for his entire being.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 18:42 employs several significant literary devices. **Direct Discourse** is central, as Jesus' words are quoted verbatim, lending immediacy and authority to the pronouncement. The verse also utilizes **Cause and Effect**, clearly linking the man's "faith" as the cause to his being "saved" (both physically and spiritually) as the effect. There is strong **Symbolism** present; the physical healing of blindness often symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and the ability to "see" Jesus for who He truly is (the Son of David, the Messiah). The narrative also features **Irony**, as the blind man, physically unable to see, possesses a deeper spiritual insight into Jesus' identity than many of the sighted religious leaders and the crowd who tried to silence him. The **Divine Pronouncement** by Jesus carries immense weight, demonstrating His power not just to heal, but to declare the spiritual state of an individual based on their faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 18:42 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of faith and salvation. It teaches that genuine faith is not a passive assent but an active, persistent trust in Jesus' identity and power, leading to transformative encounters. The dual meaning of `sṓzō` ("saved") in this context highlights a holistic understanding of salvation in the New Testament, encompassing not only spiritual redemption from sin but also physical healing and restoration, making the individual truly "whole." This miracle serves as an eschatological sign, demonstrating that with the coming of Jesus, the kingdom of God has arrived, bringing light to those in darkness and wholeness to the broken. It underscores God's deep compassion for the marginalized and His responsiveness to the cries of those who approach Him with sincere faith.

* [Mark 5:34](/mark/5-34 "Mark 5:34 - Woman with a Hemorrhage Healed by Faith"): Jesus tells the woman with the issue of blood, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
* [Matthew 9:22](/matthew/9-22 "Matthew 9:22 - Woman with a Hemorrhage Healed"): Similar to Mark, Jesus declares, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole."
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - The Necessity of Faith"): "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful encounter with the blind man offers profound lessons for our own spiritual journeys. It compels us to examine the nature of our faith: Is it a bold, persistent, and active trust in Jesus, even when circumstances or others try to silence us? Do we approach Him with a clear understanding of His identity and power, or do we limit our expectations? The story reminds us that Jesus is never too busy or too distant to hear the cry of a sincere heart. He stops for the marginalized, the forgotten, and the desperate. Furthermore, the holistic nature of the man's "salvation" challenges us to consider that God's work in our lives often extends beyond our immediate, perceived need, bringing about a deeper, more comprehensive wholeness—spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes even physically. We are encouraged to bring our deepest needs to Him with unwavering faith, trusting that He desires to make us truly whole.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "blindness" in your life (spiritual, emotional, relational) are you asking Jesus to heal today?**
* **How persistent is your faith when faced with obstacles or discouragement, like the crowd trying to silence the blind man?**
* **In what ways might your faith be a catalyst for God's transformative work in your life or the lives of others?**
* **Beyond physical healing, how do you understand the concept of being "saved" or "made whole" in a comprehensive sense in your own walk with Christ?**

### FAQ

**Was the blind man's healing purely physical, or was there a spiritual dimension to his "salvation"?**

Answer: The Greek word `sṓzō` (G4982), translated as "saved" in Luke 18:42, carries a broad semantic range in the New Testament. While it certainly refers to the physical restoration of the man's sight in this context, its frequent use for spiritual salvation (e.g., [Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confess and Believe to Be Saved")) strongly suggests a deeper, holistic meaning here. Jesus' declaration, "thy faith hath saved thee," implies that the man's active trust in Him led not only to physical healing but also to a spiritual transformation, making him "whole" in a comprehensive sense. His immediate response of following Jesus and glorifying God (Luke 18:43) further supports the idea that this was a moment of profound spiritual conversion and commitment, not just a medical cure.

**What kind of faith did the blind man demonstrate that Jesus commended?**

Answer: The blind man demonstrated a faith that was **persistent**, refusing to be silenced by the crowd (Luke 18:39); **discerning**, recognizing Jesus as the "Son of David," a messianic title (Luke 18:38); **humble**, acknowledging his need and crying out for mercy; and **active**, immediately responding to Jesus' call and expressing his desire for sight. It was a faith that moved beyond mere intellectual assent to a deep, personal reliance on Jesus' power and willingness to intervene. This faith was not about the man's own merit but his complete trust in Jesus' ability and identity, which Jesus explicitly affirmed as the catalyst for his healing and salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the blind man in Luke 18:42 is a powerful prefigurement and demonstration of Jesus' ultimate mission as the Christ. Just as He opened the physical eyes of the blind, so too does He come to open the spiritual eyes of those who are spiritually blind, lost in sin and darkness. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). This miracle points forward to the greater salvation offered through His atoning work on the cross, where He provides not just temporary physical relief but eternal spiritual sight and wholeness. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus delivers humanity from the blindness of sin and the bondage of death, offering true and lasting "salvation" (as `sṓzō` implies) to all who place their faith in Him. The blind man's immediate response of following Jesus and glorifying God (Luke 18:43) foreshadows the life of discipleship that awaits all who receive spiritual sight through faith in the Risen Christ, who has conquered darkness and brought us into His marvelous light ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Called Out of Darkness")).

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

Luke 8:48

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Luke 17:19

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Matthew 8:3

And Jesus put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 9:22

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Luke 7:50

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Psalms 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.