Chapter

Luke 18:39

ESV And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
NIV Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
NASB Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'
CSB Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
NLT Be quiet!' the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'
KJV And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
NKJV Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

What does Luke 18:39 mean?

A crowd is making its way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem for Passover. The road goes through Jericho. A blind man named Bartimaeus sits along the path, begging for alms (Luke 18:35; Mark 10:46). Considering the busyness of the road and the tradition of donating to the poor on Passover, he's probably doing well.

The crowd is bigger than normal, and Bartimaeus is curious. He asks what's going on. Someone tells him that Jesus of Nazareth has come. His demeanor immediately changes. He cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:36–38). It's unclear why the crowd tries to quiet him. They may think he's cursed by God because of sin (John 9:2). They may think Jesus is too important to be bothered with beggars, much like the disciples tried to "protect" Jesus from children (Luke 18:15–17). Or maybe they're trying to get Jesus' attention for themselves. Whatever the case, the beggar's yelling isn't welcome.

But Jesus hears him. He stops and tells the crowd to bring Bartimaeus to Him. Then He asks what he wants. When Bartimaeus says his sight, Jesus tells him his faith has made him well (Luke 18:40–42). Bartimaeus is healed, and the crowd grows by one (Luke 18:43).
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