Luke 18:37

And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

And {G1161} they told {G518} him {G846}, that {G3754} Jesus {G2424} of Nazareth {G3480} passeth by {G3928}.

and they told him, “Yeshua from Natzeret is passing by.”

“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him.

And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

Commentary

Context of Luke 18:37

This verse is a pivotal moment within the narrative of the healing of a blind man near Jericho. Jesus and His disciples, along with a great multitude, are passing through the city on His final journey to Jerusalem. A blind beggar, sitting by the roadside, hears the commotion and asks what is happening. The crowd's simple answer in Luke 18:37 sets the stage for a miraculous encounter, revealing the immediate cause of the excitement and providing the blind man with the crucial information he needs to act.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Awareness of Jesus' Presence: The crowd's declaration, "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by," highlights the physical proximity of Christ. For the blind man, this was a moment of profound opportunity, a chance to encounter the one he had perhaps only heard about.
  • The Role of Witnesses: The people in the crowd, perhaps unknowingly, served as messengers, providing vital information that enabled the blind man to seek healing. This underscores the importance of those who point others to Christ.
  • Divine Opportunity: Jesus' passage through Jericho was not accidental for the blind man. It represents a moment of divine timing and opportunity, a chance for an individual's life to be transformed by encountering the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Jesus of Nazareth" (Greek: Iēsous ho Nazarēnos) was a common way to identify Jesus, distinguishing Him by His hometown. While sometimes used derisively (as seen in John 1:46, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"), here it serves as a straightforward geographical descriptor. It is the identity by which He was widely known among the people.

Practical Application

Luke 18:37 reminds us of the importance of recognizing and seizing opportunities when Jesus is "passing by" in our lives. Just as the blind man immediately responded with his fervent cry, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me", we are called to be attentive to the moments God presents for spiritual growth, healing, or intervention. It also highlights our role in pointing others to Jesus, even through simple statements about His presence and power, enabling them to seek Him for themselves.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 2:23 (3 votes)

    And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

  • Luke 2:51 (2 votes)

    And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:2 (2 votes)

    (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

  • Mark 2:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And again he entered into Capernaum after [some] days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

  • Mark 2:3 (2 votes)

    And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

  • John 1:45 (2 votes)

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

  • John 12:35 (2 votes)

    Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.