Matthew 20:32

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} stood still {G2476}, and called {G5455} them {G846}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, What {G5101} will ye {G2309} that I shall do {G4160} unto you {G5213}?

Yeshua stopped, called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I should do unto you?

Commentary

Matthew 20:32 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem, demonstrating His profound compassion and direct engagement with those in need. After the two blind men had persistently cried out to Him for mercy, despite being rebuked by the crowd, Jesus "stood still." This deliberate action signifies His willingness to interrupt His immediate agenda to attend to the suffering.

Context

This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' significant teaching on servant leadership, where He emphasizes that "the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed. Two blind men, sitting by the wayside, began crying out, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David!" Their cries were initially met with attempts by the crowd to silence them (Matthew 20:31). However, Jesus' response here highlights His immediate attention to their distress, contrasting with the crowd's indifference.

Key Themes

  • Compassion of Jesus: Jesus' decision to stop and address the blind men directly underscores His deep empathy for the suffering. He doesn't dismiss their pleas but prioritizes their need. This act vividly illustrates His heart for the marginalized and afflicted.
  • Accessibility and Invitation: By calling them and asking "What will ye that I shall do unto you?", Jesus makes Himself accessible. He invites them to articulate their deepest need, demonstrating that He is not only willing but eager to hear and respond to genuine requests.
  • Importance of Asking: Even though their blindness was obvious, Jesus prompts them to voice their desire. This teaches us the importance of articulating our prayers and needs to God, even when He already knows them. It's an act of faith and dependence ("Ask, and it shall be given you").
  • Divine Authority: Jesus' ability to stop the procession and then directly ask what He can do, implies His power and authority to grant their request, which in the subsequent verses is revealed as healing.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stood still" in Greek is stēsanta (στήσαντα), emphasizing a deliberate and decisive halt. It's not a casual pause but an intentional cessation of movement, signifying that Jesus intentionally made time and space for these men. The verb "called" (ephōnēsen - ἐφώνησεν) indicates a distinct, audible summons, drawing them directly to Him.

Practical Application

Matthew 20:32 serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' willingness to engage with us personally. It encourages us to approach Him with our needs, no matter how great or seemingly insignificant, with persistence and faith. Just as Jesus stopped for the blind men, He is attentive to our cries today. This verse challenges believers to not only seek Jesus but also to be like Him, stopping to show compassion and listen to the needs of others in a busy world, embodying the spirit of selflessness.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 36:37

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for] this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

  • Philippians 4:6

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  • Matthew 20:21

    And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

  • Acts 10:29

    Therefore came I [unto you] without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
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