Matthew 20:29

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 20:29 (KJV) describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry as He and His disciples depart from the ancient city of Jericho, drawing a large following.

Context

This verse marks a significant point in Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, where He would ultimately face His crucifixion and resurrection. Jericho, a prominent city located on a major trade route, served as a gateway to the capital from the east. The "great multitude" mentioned here would have been a mix of pilgrims heading to Jerusalem for Passover and locals drawn by Jesus' reputation. Their presence immediately sets the stage for the dramatic healing of two blind men that follows in Matthew 20:30-34, highlighting the continuous demand for Jesus' miracles and teachings.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Widespread Influence: The presence of a "great multitude" underscores Jesus' immense popularity and the compelling nature of His ministry. People from various backgrounds were consistently drawn to Him, seeking healing, wisdom, or simply to witness His presence, as seen in other instances like Matthew 4:25.
  • Journey Towards Destiny: This departure from Jericho emphasizes the relentless progression of Jesus towards His ultimate purpose in Jerusalem. Every step of this journey was deliberate, fulfilling prophecy and moving towards the climax of salvation history.
  • Anticipation and Expectation: The crowd's act of following suggests a high degree of anticipation. They were not merely observers but active participants in the unfolding events, expecting something significant to happen in the presence of the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "great multitude" translates from the Greek ochlos polys (ὄχλος πολὺς). Ochlos typically refers to an unorganized crowd or populace, distinguishing them from a formal group like the disciples. The addition of polys, meaning "many" or "great," emphasizes the sheer size and perhaps the common, everyday nature of the people drawn to Jesus. This highlights the broad appeal of His message and power, attracting not just the religious elite but also the common folk.

Reflection and Application

Matthew 20:29 reminds us that Jesus continually draws people to Himself. Just as the multitude followed Him out of Jericho, people today are still drawn to His truth, hope, and power. This verse encourages us to consider our own "following" of Christ: are we merely part of the crowd, or are we actively engaging with His teachings and seeking His presence? The fact that a miracle immediately followed this gathering demonstrates that being in Jesus' presence often leads to profound encounters and transformations, echoing the call to come to Him with our burdens.

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.
  • 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.

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