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:

And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096}, that as {G1722} he {G846} was come nigh {G1448} unto {G1519} Jericho {G2410}, a certain {G5100} blind man {G5185} sat {G2521} by {G3844} the way side {G3598} begging {G4319}:

As Yeshua approached Yericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging.

As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging.

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

Commentary

Luke 18:35 sets the stage for a significant encounter just outside the ancient city of Jericho. As Jesus journeys towards Jerusalem, His path intersects with a marginalized individual, highlighting His consistent ministry to the needy and overlooked.

Context

This verse marks the beginning of the healing of a blind man (or men, as recorded in parallel accounts). It occurs during Jesus' final, resolute journey to Jerusalem, a journey He had set His face to accomplish. Jericho, a prominent city, serves as a key waypoint. The timing of this event—"as he was come nigh unto Jericho"—is notable, as it precedes the famous encounter with Zacchaeus in Jericho, further emphasizing Jesus' interaction with diverse individuals in this city. While Luke focuses on one blind man, the parallel accounts in Mark 10:46-52 and Matthew 20:29-34 offer slightly different perspectives regarding the number of men and whether the event occurred upon entering or leaving Jericho, which scholars often reconcile by understanding "nigh unto" to encompass the vicinity.

Key Themes

  • Compassion for the Marginalized: Jesus consistently seeks out and ministers to those on the fringes of society. The blind man, by virtue of his disability and reliance on begging, represents a vulnerable and often overlooked segment of the population.
  • Human Need and Helplessness: The description of the man as "blind" and "begging" paints a vivid picture of his complete dependency. His physical blindness also serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual blindness, a state from which only Christ can bring sight.
  • Divine Proximity: The mere fact that Jesus "was come nigh" signals a moment of divine opportunity. For the blind man, Jesus' approach meant the possibility of a radical transformation of his circumstances.
  • Anticipation of Change: This verse sets the stage for a dramatic miracle, a testament to Jesus' power and authority, which will soon be demonstrated in Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "nigh unto Jericho" translates the Greek `ἐγγίζειν` (enggizein), meaning "to draw near" or "to approach." This term is flexible and can refer to the general vicinity of the city, whether arriving or departing, helping to harmonize the Gospel accounts. The term for "blind man" is `τυφλός` (typhlos), a common descriptor for physical sightlessness. His act of "begging" is from `ἐπαιτεῖν` (epaitein), which means to ask for alms, underscoring his economic hardship and social status.

Practical Application

Luke 18:35 encourages us to recognize that Jesus is still drawing near to those in need today. Just as the blind man sat by the wayside, many in our communities are struggling, often unseen or unheard. This verse reminds us:

  • To be aware of the vulnerable and marginalized around us, recognizing their needs.
  • That Jesus is accessible and willing to meet us in our deepest places of need, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
  • That even in seemingly ordinary situations, a divine encounter can be imminent, bringing hope and transformation. The blind man's story, which continues in the verses that follow, illustrates the power of persistent faith.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 20:29 (5 votes)

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

  • Matthew 20:34 (5 votes)

    So Jesus had compassion [on them], and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

  • Mark 10:46 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 2:8 (3 votes)

    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

  • John 9:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

  • Luke 16:20 (3 votes)

    And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,