The Greek word meîzon, represented by G3185, functions adverbially to mean in greater degree or the more. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, signifying a specific moment of intensified action in response to opposition.
In its single biblical appearance, G3185 describes an escalation of persistence. The context is found in Matthew 20:31, where two blind men were crying out to Jesus. The multitude G3793 rebuked them, demanding they hold their peace. Instead of being silenced, their desperation increased, and they "cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David."
Several related words in the surrounding text illuminate the context of this intensified plea:
- G2008 epitimáō (rebuke): This word, meaning to censure or admonish, describes the action of the multitude attempting to silence the blind men's cries for help Matthew 20:31.
- G4623 siōpáō (hold their peace): This was the multitude's command, for the men to be dumb or silent. This stands in direct contrast to their escalating response Matthew 20:31.
- G2896 krázō (cried): In defiance of the rebuke, the men did not just speak but screamed or called aloud. This action is what was amplified "the more" by G3185 Matthew 20:31.
The use of G3185 in this context highlights several important themes:
- Persistence in Faith: The word emphasizes that a genuine appeal for the Lord's help is not easily deterred by human opposition. The men's faith compelled them to cry out even louder when discouraged by others Matthew 20:31.
- The Nature of Earnest Prayer: The adverbial function of the more modifies the act of crying out, showing that their prayer was not a passive request but an escalating, fervent appeal to the one they identified as Lord G2962.
- Overcoming Obstacles: The scene illustrates a spiritual dynamic where an obstacle, such as the rebuking crowd, serves to intensify rather than extinguish a desperate plea for divine mercy Matthew 20:31.
In summary, G3185 meîzon is a rare adverb that, in its single use, conveys a powerful sense of intensification. It is the pivotal word in Matthew 20:31 that transforms a crowd's rebuke into a catalyst for a more fervent and desperate cry for mercy. It illustrates how faith, when faced with discouragement, can respond with even greater persistence in its appeal to the Lord.
TRV