Matthew 20:29

KJV

¶ And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} as they {G846} departed {G1607} from {G575} Jericho {G2410}, a great {G4183} multitude {G3793} followed {G190} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As they were leaving Yericho, a large crowd followed Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 20:29 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, as He and His disciples depart from the ancient city of Jericho. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, highlighting Jesus' immense popularity and the compelling nature of His ministry, evidenced by the "great multitude" that eagerly followed Him. It underscores the continuous demand for His miracles and teachings, revealing the widespread anticipation surrounding His presence as He moved toward His ultimate destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 20:29 immediately follows Jesus' third explicit prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection to His disciples in [Matthew 20:17-19](/matthew/20-17-19 "Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time"). This prophecy, given as they are "going up to Jerusalem," emphasizes the deliberate and purposeful nature of Jesus' journey towards His ultimate sacrifice. The verse also follows the narrative of the mother of James and John requesting positions of honor for her sons, leading to Jesus' teaching on servant leadership ([Matthew 20:20-28](/matthew/20-20-28 "The Request of James and John's Mother")). Thus, the departure from Jericho and the gathering of the multitude serve as a transition, moving from internal discipleship lessons to public ministry and the immediate prelude to the Passion Week. Critically, this verse directly introduces the healing of the two blind men in [Matthew 20:30-34](/matthew/20-30-34 "The Healing of Two Blind Men Near Jericho"), demonstrating Jesus' compassion and power even as He approaches His final confrontation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho, located in the Jordan Valley, was one of the oldest cities in the world and a significant stop on the pilgrimage route from Galilee to Jerusalem, especially for those traveling for Passover. Its strategic location made it a bustling commercial center, often associated with wealth and Roman taxation (as seen with Zacchaeus in [Luke 19:1-10](/luke/19-1-10 "The Story of Zacchaeus")). The city's history, from its miraculous fall in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "The Fall of Jericho") to its rebuilding and prominence in Jesus' time, would have been well-known. The "great multitude" likely consisted of a diverse crowd: local residents, pilgrims also en route to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, and those who had heard of Jesus' reputation and sought healing or teaching. The act of following a teacher or prophet was common, indicating a desire for instruction, a sign, or simply to be in the presence of someone perceived as divinely appointed.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Authority and Popularity**, demonstrating that His fame and influence were not confined to Galilee but extended throughout Judea, drawing large crowds even as He neared Jerusalem. This widespread appeal underscores His unique status as a prophet and healer, fulfilling Old Testament expectations of a Messiah who would draw the nations. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Jesus' Deliberate Journey Towards Destiny**. Every step, including this departure from Jericho, is purposeful, moving Him inexorably towards His atoning work in Jerusalem, as foreshadowed in passages like [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Jesus Predicts His Death"). Finally, the presence of the "great multitude" sets the stage for **Divine Encounter and Transformation**, immediately preceding the healing of the blind men. This illustrates that Jesus' presence often catalyzes profound spiritual and physical change, emphasizing His compassion and power to restore, a theme consistently seen throughout His ministry, from the Sermon on the Mount in [Matthew 5](/matthew/5 "The Sermon on the Mount") to His numerous healing miracles.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **departed (Greek, _ekporeúomai'_):** From G1607, meaning "to come (forth, out of), depart, go (forth, out), issue, proceed (out of)." This verb emphasizes a deliberate and active movement away from a place. In the context of Jesus' journey, it signifies a purposeful progression towards His ultimate destination in Jerusalem, not merely a casual exit. It suggests the finality of leaving Jericho behind as the narrative moves forward.
* **multitude (Greek, _óchlos'_):** From G3793, referring to "a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot." This term typically denotes an unorganized, often large, crowd of common people, distinguishing them from a more structured group like the disciples. The use of _óchlos_ here, especially when combined with "great," underscores the vast number and diverse, everyday nature of the people drawn to Jesus, highlighting His broad appeal beyond any specific social or religious elite.
* **followed (Greek, _akolouthéō'_):** From G190, meaning "to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple):--follow, reach." This verb implies more than just walking behind; it suggests an active accompaniment, often with the intent of learning from or being associated with the one being followed. While not all in the multitude were disciples in the strict sense, their act of following indicates a significant level of interest, anticipation, and perhaps even a nascent form of allegiance to Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as they departed from Jericho":** This opening clause establishes the setting and the action. "They" refers to Jesus and His disciples, continuing their journey towards Jerusalem. The departure from Jericho marks a geographical and narrative transition point, signifying that Jesus is nearing the climax of His earthly ministry. The movement is purposeful, aligning with Jesus' resolute journey to fulfill His divine mission.
* **"a great multitude followed him":** This clause highlights Jesus' immense popularity and the magnetic draw of His presence. The "great multitude" signifies a large, diverse crowd, eager to be near Him. Their act of "following" indicates not just curiosity but a desire to witness His works, hear His teachings, or seek His healing power. This detail underscores the public nature of Jesus' ministry and the widespread anticipation surrounding His every move, setting the stage for the miraculous events that immediately ensue.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs **Descriptive Language** to paint a vivid picture of the scene, using terms like "great multitude" to emphasize the scale of Jesus' public appeal. The verse also serves as a **Narrative Transition**, smoothly moving the story from Jesus' private teachings to His disciples to a public demonstration of His power and compassion. Furthermore, there is an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the gathering of the crowd immediately precedes the healing of the blind men, hinting at the miraculous encounters that often accompany Jesus' presence. The **Contrast** between the intimate discussions with His disciples and the vast, public following highlights the dual nature of Jesus' ministry—both personal discipleship and widespread evangelism.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:29, though brief, is rich in theological significance. It underscores the pervasive reach of Jesus' ministry and the profound impact He had on ordinary people. The "great multitude" symbolizes humanity's inherent spiritual hunger and the universal need for divine intervention, a need that Jesus consistently met with compassion and power. This verse reinforces the truth that God, in Christ, draws people to Himself, not just the privileged or the pious, but all who seek Him, regardless of their background. It sets the stage for the demonstration of God's kingdom breaking into the world through acts of healing and restoration, reminding us that Jesus' journey was always about bringing light and life to a world in darkness.

* [Mark 10:46](/mark/10-46 "Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus")
* [Luke 19:1](/luke/19-1 "Jesus Enters Jericho")
* [John 6:2](/john/6-2 "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 20:29 invites us to consider our own posture in relation to Christ. Just as the multitude was drawn to Jesus as He departed Jericho, so too are people continually drawn to His truth, hope, and transformative power today. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that following Jesus is not a solitary endeavor but often involves being part of a larger community, a "multitude" of believers. It challenges us to examine the depth of our own "following": are we merely observers, carried along by the crowd, or are we active participants, eagerly seeking His presence, His teachings, and His transformative touch? The immediate context of this verse, leading to the healing of the blind, powerfully illustrates that being in Jesus' presence often leads to profound encounters and life-altering transformations. It encourages us to approach Jesus with our needs, knowing that He is compassionate and powerful, always ready to meet us where we are and lead us to greater light.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What motivates you to "follow" Jesus in your daily life? Is it curiosity, a desire for healing, or a deeper commitment to His teachings?**
* **How does being part of a "great multitude" of believers impact your personal faith journey? What are the benefits and challenges?**
* **In what areas of your life are you seeking Jesus' transformative touch, much like those in the crowd who sought healing?**
* **How can we, as followers of Christ, ensure that our "following" is active and intentional, rather than passive or merely observational?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jericho a significant place for Jesus to pass through?**

Answer: Jericho was strategically important due to its location on a major trade and pilgrimage route connecting Galilee and Perea with Jerusalem. For pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for festivals like Passover, Jericho was a customary stop. Historically, it was known for its ancient past, including the miraculous fall of its walls as recorded in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "The Fall of Jericho"). In Jesus' time, it was a prosperous city, known for its date palms and balsam production, and was a center of Roman taxation, as exemplified by the story of Zacchaeus in [Luke 19:1-10](/luke/19-1-10 "The Story of Zacchaeus"). Jesus' passage through Jericho, therefore, placed Him in a highly visible and populated area, allowing Him to interact with a diverse cross-section of society before His arrival in Jerusalem.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:29, with its depiction of a "great multitude" following Jesus, powerfully foreshadows the universal appeal and ultimate triumph of Christ's redemptive work. Just as the crowds were drawn to Him in His earthly ministry, so too is humanity, across all nations and generations, drawn to the resurrected Christ. This verse subtly points to Jesus as the true and greater Joshua, leading His people not into an earthly promised land from Jericho, but into the spiritual promised land of salvation and eternal life. The immediate sequel, the healing of the blind, symbolizes Jesus' mission to open the spiritual eyes of those lost in darkness, fulfilling prophecies like [Isaiah 42:7](/isaiah/42-7 "Prophecy of Opening Blind Eyes"). His journey from Jericho to Jerusalem, though culminating in His crucifixion, was the necessary path to His glorious resurrection and ascension, through which He draws all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion and Drawing All People")). The "great multitude" following Him out of Jericho prefigures the countless multitude from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation who will ultimately stand before the Lamb, having been redeemed by His blood ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "The Multitude from Every Nation")). Thus, this simple verse, describing a crowd following Jesus, becomes a profound testament to His ongoing work of drawing humanity to Himself for salvation and transformation.

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 10:46

¶ And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

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.

Luke 18:35

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

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 9:27

¶ And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on us.

Matthew 9:31

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.