Matthew 17:14

KJV

¶ And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a [certain] man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they {G846} were come {G2064} to {G4314} the multitude {G3793}, there came {G4334} to him {G846} a certain man {G444}, kneeling down {G1120} to him {G846}, and {G2532} saying {G3004},

Complete Jewish Bible

As they came up to the crowd, a man approached Yeshua, kneeled down in front of him,

Berean Standard Bible

When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him.

American Standard Version

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, and saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 17:14 marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative, depicting Jesus' immediate return from the divine glory of the Transfiguration to the pressing realities of human suffering and need. As Jesus, Peter, James, and John descend from the mountain, they are met by a large crowd, from which a desperate man emerges, humbly kneeling before Jesus to present a dire request. This scene powerfully juxtaposes heavenly revelation with earthly brokenness, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of Christ's compassion and supreme authority over all forms of evil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the profound and revelatory event of the [Transfiguration](/matthew/17-1-13 "Matthew 17:1-13 - The Transfiguration of Jesus"), where Jesus' divine glory was unveiled to Peter, James, and John. The descent from the mountain (Matthew 17:9) signifies a return from a realm of spiritual exaltation to the chaotic and needy world below. The narrative flow highlights a stark contrast: from the luminous presence of God and the figures of Moses and Elijah, Jesus steps directly into a scene of human desperation and demonic oppression. This abrupt transition underscores the incarnational reality of Christ's ministry—His willingness to engage directly with the brokenness of humanity, even immediately after experiencing unparalleled divine communion. The man's approach here sets the stage for the subsequent [healing of his demon-possessed son](/matthew/17-15-18 "Matthew 17:15-18 - Healing of the Demon-Possessed Boy"), a task the remaining disciples had failed to accomplish, thereby emphasizing the unique power and authority of Jesus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, large crowds often followed prominent teachers and healers, particularly those believed to perform miracles. Public gatherings were common, and individuals suffering from illness, especially those believed to be demon-possessed, would often be brought to figures like Jesus for healing. The act of "kneeling down" (Greek: _gonypetéō_) was a deeply significant gesture in this culture, signifying profound respect, reverence, and desperate supplication. It was a posture of humility and submission, often associated with prayer, worship, or a plea for mercy from a superior authority. This man's action would have been immediately understood by onlookers as an act of profound desperation and an acknowledgment of Jesus' exceptional power and status, similar to how one would approach a king or a deity. The geography of the region, likely near Caesarea Philippi, involved mountainous terrain, making the descent from a "high mountain" a literal and symbolic return to the populated valleys where human suffering was prevalent.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 17:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **Accessibility of Christ**, demonstrating that despite His divine nature and recent experience of glory, Jesus remains immediately available and compassionate towards human suffering. He does not retreat from the crowds or their problems but actively engages with their distress. Secondly, the man's posture of kneeling highlights the theme of **Humility and Supplication**, emphasizing that true help often comes through a humble recognition of one's own need and a desperate appeal to divine authority. This aligns with Jesus' teachings on humility, as seen in passages like [Matthew 23:12](/matthew/23-12 "Matthew 23:12 - Humility Exalted"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Transition from Glory to Suffering**, a recurring motif in Christ's life that foreshadows His ultimate mission. The radiant glory of the Transfiguration gives way to the dark reality of demonic oppression and human pain, powerfully illustrating that Christ's path to redemption involves descending into the depths of human brokenness to confront evil directly, a theme central to His journey towards the cross, as anticipated in [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came to him (Greek, _prosérchomai'_):** From G4334, meaning "to approach, i.e. (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to." This word emphasizes the deliberate act of the man drawing near to Jesus. It implies not a casual encounter but an intentional movement towards the one from whom he seeks help, often with an underlying sense of reverence or purpose. In this context, it highlights the man's initiative in seeking out Jesus amidst the multitude.
* **multitude (Greek, _óchlos'_):** From G3793, meaning "a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot." This term denotes a large, often undifferentiated crowd of people. Its use here sets the scene for Jesus' public ministry, indicating that His return from the mountain brings Him back into the midst of the common people, many of whom would be seeking healing or teaching. It contrasts the intimate, sacred space of the Transfiguration with the bustling, needy world.
* **kneeling down (Greek, _gonypetéō'_):** From G1120, meaning "to fall on the knee:--bow the knee, kneel down." This word describes a specific, deliberate posture of supplication, reverence, or worship. It is not merely sitting or standing but physically lowering oneself in an act of profound humility and desperate appeal. This gesture immediately conveys the man's recognition of Jesus' authority and his urgent, humble plea for divine intervention, even before his words are recorded.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they were come to the multitude,"**: This clause establishes the immediate setting, indicating Jesus and the three disciples' return from the isolated mountain of the Transfiguration to a populated area. The "multitude" signifies the return to public ministry and the pressing needs of the general populace, contrasting sharply with the private, glorious revelation just experienced.
* **"there came to him a certain man,"**: This introduces the key individual who initiates the interaction. The phrase "a certain man" (Greek: _ánthrōpos tis_) emphasizes that this was a specific person, not merely an anonymous part of the crowd, drawing the reader's focus to his personal plight and the urgency of his approach to Jesus.
* **"kneeling down to him,"**: This describes the man's posture, which is highly significant. "Kneeling down" (Greek: _gonypetéō_) is an act of profound humility, reverence, and desperate supplication. It signifies a recognition of Jesus' authority and power, an acknowledgment of one's own helplessness, and an earnest plea for intervention, setting the tone for the request that follows.
* **"and saying,"**: This final clause indicates that the man is about to voice his desperate request. It builds anticipation for his words, which, as the subsequent verses reveal, concern his demon-possessed son and the disciples' inability to help him. This prepares the reader for the unfolding narrative of healing and the ensuing discussion about faith.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 17:14 effectively employs **Juxtaposition** by placing the mundane reality of human suffering immediately after the divine glory of the Transfiguration. This sharp contrast highlights Jesus' unique role as both fully divine and fully human, willing to descend from heavenly revelation to earthly need. The scene also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the disciples' inability to heal the boy (revealed in subsequent verses) subtly foreshadows their future struggles with faith and understanding, even after witnessing Christ's glory. Furthermore, the man's act of kneeling is a form of **Symbolism**, representing not only his personal desperation but also the universal human condition of needing to humble oneself before divine power for true deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 17:14 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of Christ's ministry and His relationship with humanity. It underscores the profound truth that divine power is not aloof or distant but is intimately engaged with human suffering. Jesus, having just revealed His celestial glory, immediately makes Himself accessible to the desperate and the broken. This transition from the mountaintop of divine revelation to the valley of human need highlights the core of the Incarnation: God's willingness to enter fully into the human condition, confronting its pain and offering redemption. The man's humble posture of kneeling emphasizes the importance of a contrite and dependent heart when approaching God, a theme echoed throughout Scripture as a prerequisite for receiving divine grace and intervention.

* [Mark 9:14](/mark/9-14 "Mark 9:14 - Parallel Account of the Man's Approach")
* [Luke 9:37](/luke/9-37 "Luke 9:37 - Parallel Account of the Man's Approach")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 17:14 offers a profound invitation to all who are burdened and in need. Just as the man in the multitude, overwhelmed by his son's suffering and the disciples' inability to help, immediately sought out Jesus, so too are we encouraged to bring our deepest needs, our most profound weaknesses, and our most desperate prayers directly to Christ. This verse reminds us that no matter how overwhelming our circumstances, or how grand the spiritual experiences we may have just encountered, Jesus remains approachable, compassionate, and ready to engage with our brokenness. His descent from glory to the crowd signifies His unwavering commitment to humanity's redemption. Our humility, expressed through a posture of dependence and earnest supplication, opens the door for His divine power to intervene in our lives, transforming our despair into hope and our helplessness into a testimony of His grace. It challenges us to assess our own readiness to approach Jesus with genuine humility when faced with challenges that seem insurmountable by human means.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between the Transfiguration and the scene in Matthew 17:14 challenge your understanding of Jesus' ministry?**
* **What does the man's act of "kneeling down" teach us about the posture of prayer and supplication?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a "multitude" of needs, and how does this verse encourage you to approach Jesus with them?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus immediately descend from the mountain after the Transfiguration to meet the crowd?**

Answer: Jesus' immediate descent from the mountain after the [Transfiguration](/matthew/17-1-13 "Matthew 17:1-13 - The Transfiguration of Jesus") underscores a core aspect of His incarnational ministry: His divine glory and power were not meant for His own exaltation or isolation, but for the redemption and healing of a broken world. The Transfiguration was a private revelation for a select few disciples, confirming His identity and preparing them for His suffering. His immediate return to the "multitude" (Matthew 17:14) demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His mission of compassion and service to humanity, showing that even after experiencing the heights of divine communion, He remained intimately engaged with the depths of human suffering and need.

**What is the significance of the man "kneeling down" to Jesus?**

Answer: The act of "kneeling down" (Greek: _gonypetéō_) is highly significant. It is not merely a casual gesture but an act of profound humility, reverence, and desperate supplication. In ancient cultures, kneeling before a king, a deity, or a person of great authority was a common way to show respect, acknowledge superiority, and make an earnest plea. By kneeling, the man acknowledged Jesus' extraordinary authority and power, expressing his complete dependence and urgent need for divine intervention. This posture reflects a heart of humility that is often a prerequisite for receiving God's grace, as seen in other biblical accounts of healing and deliverance where individuals approach Jesus with similar reverence and desperation (e.g., [Mark 1:40](/mark/1-40 "Mark 1:40 - A Leper Kneels to Jesus")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 17:14, though seemingly a simple narrative transition, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' descent from the mount of Transfiguration directly into the midst of human suffering perfectly encapsulates His entire mission: the Son of God, who shares the very glory of the Father, willingly condescends to enter our fallen world, not to remain in heavenly splendor, but to confront and conquer its brokenness. He is the ultimate High Priest, who, unlike the Old Testament priests, does not merely offer sacrifices from a distance but [sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest"). The man's desperate plea and humble posture foreshadow the universal need for humanity to bow before the one who alone has the power to save. This scene anticipates the ultimate bowing of [every knee in heaven and on earth and under the earth](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Will Bow to Jesus") to Jesus, acknowledging His supreme Lordship and the efficacy of His redemptive work. He is the Lamb of God who, by taking on human flesh and descending into the depths of human pain, ultimately [takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), demonstrating that true divine power is revealed not in aloofness, but in compassionate, self-sacrificial engagement with humanity's greatest needs.

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

Mark 9:14

¶ And when he came to [his] disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

Mark 9:29

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Mark 1:40

¶ And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Acts 10:25

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].

Acts 10:26

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Mark 10:17

¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

Luke 9:37

¶ And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.