Matthew 15:31

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.

Insomuch that {G5620} the multitude {G3793} wondered {G2296}, when they saw {G991} the dumb {G2974} to speak {G2980}, the maimed {G2948} to be whole {G5199}, the lame {G5560} to walk {G4043}, and {G2532} the blind {G5185} to see {G991}: and {G2532} they glorified {G1392} the God {G2316} of Israel {G2474}.

The people were amazed as they saw mute people speaking, crippled people cured, lame people walking and blind people seeing; and they said a b'rakhah to the God of Isra'el.

The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 15:31 beautifully encapsulates the overwhelming reaction of the crowds to Jesus' extraordinary healing ministry. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the divine authority and compassion of Jesus, leading the multitude to an undeniable acknowledgment of God's presence among them.

Context

This verse is situated within Jesus' ministry in the region of Decapolis, an area largely populated by Gentiles, east of the Sea of Galilee. Having just engaged in a profound discussion about true defilement (which comes from the heart, not external rituals) and demonstrated His compassion by healing the Canaanite woman's daughter (Matthew 15:28), Jesus withdraws to a mountain. There, great crowds come to Him, bringing "those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others." This verse describes the immediate and profound impact of Jesus healing all of them, setting the stage for the subsequent miracle of feeding the four thousand (Matthew 15:38).

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Compassion: The detailed list of ailments healed—the dumb speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing—underscores the comprehensive and miraculous nature of Jesus' power. It demonstrates His ability to restore every facet of human brokenness.
  • Validation of Jesus' Messiahship: These specific types of healings directly align with Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's arrival. For instance, Isaiah 35:5-6 foretold that "the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." Jesus' actions undeniably fulfilled these messianic expectations.
  • Glorifying God: The immediate response of the multitude, "they glorified the God of Israel," highlights a central purpose of Jesus' miracles: to reveal God's glory and draw people to praise Him. Their wonder (Greek: ethaumasan, "they marveled") transformed into adoration and recognition of divine intervention.
  • The God of Israel: The specific phrase "the God of Israel" is significant, especially given that many in the Decapolis region were Gentiles. It suggests that even non-Jews or those on the fringes of Judaism recognized that the power displayed originated from the God of the Abrahamic covenant, the one true God.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "maimed" (Greek: kyllos) refers to someone crippled, twisted, or having a withered limb, suggesting a more severe or specific deformity than simply "lame" (Greek: chōlos), which denotes someone unable to walk properly. The inclusion of "maimed" emphasizes the thoroughness of Jesus' healing power.
  • "Glorified" (Greek: doxazō) implies giving honor, praise, and esteem. It's an acknowledgment of God's majesty and power, a spontaneous outpouring of worship from those who witnessed His mighty works.

Practical Application

Matthew 15:31 reminds us of the profound impact of witnessing God's power. It encourages us to:

  • Cultivate a Spirit of Wonder: Even in our modern world, we can find reasons to marvel at God's work, whether through physical healing, spiritual transformation, or the beauty of creation.
  • Give God Glory: When we experience or witness God's goodness and power, our natural response should be to praise and glorify Him, just as the multitude did. This act of worship acknowledges His sovereignty and love.
  • Recognize Jesus as Messiah: The miracles performed by Jesus were not just acts of kindness; they were irrefutable proofs of His identity as the promised Messiah, sent by the God of Israel. This truth continues to invite faith and trust in Him.
  • Be Open to God's Work in Unexpected Places: Jesus' ministry in Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile area, shows that God's compassion and power are not limited to any specific group or location. He seeks to heal and save all who come to Him (see John 3:16).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 9:8

    But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

  • Luke 18:43

    And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw [it], gave praise unto God.

  • Matthew 9:33

    And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

  • Luke 7:16

    And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

  • Luke 17:15

    And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

  • Luke 17:18

    There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

  • 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.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back