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:
Original Language Analysis
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
1 of 15
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸν
he
G846
αὐτὸν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τυφλός
blind man
G5185
τυφλός
blind man
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
9 of 15
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
ἐκάθητο
sat
G2521
ἐκάθητο
sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
11 of 15
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
παρὰ
by
G3844
παρὰ
by
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 9:8The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?1 Samuel 2:8He 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.
Historical Context
Jericho's roads saw heavy Passover traffic as pilgrims journeyed to Jerusalem, making it a prime begging location. Blindness often resulted from disease, injury, or birth defects, with no medical remedy. The disabled were excluded from Temple service (Leviticus 21:18), reinforcing social marginalization.
Questions for Reflection
- How does physical blindness in Scripture often symbolize spiritual blindness, and who are today's spiritually blind?
- What does the blind man's roadside position teach about meeting people where they are in their need?
- How does Jesus's attention to a nameless beggar demonstrate the Kingdom's reversal of social hierarchies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As he was come nigh unto Jericho (ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν αὐτὸν εἰς Ἰεριχώ, en tō engizein auton eis Ierichō)—Jericho, seventeen miles from Jerusalem, was the final stop before the arduous ascent. This sets the miracle just before Passion Week, creating theological symmetry: Jesus opens blind eyes before Jerusalem's leaders close theirs to His identity.
A certain blind man sat by the way side begging (τυφλός τις ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν ἐπαιτῶν, typhlos tis ekathēto para tēn hodon epaitōn)—Typhlos (blind) describes both physical and spiritual condition. The imperfect tense ekathēto (he was sitting) suggests habitual, daily begging—this was his permanent station. Para tēn hodon (beside the road) positions him at the margins, literally and socially. Begging (epaitōn) was the only livelihood for disabled persons in antiquity. Mark and Matthew name him Bartimaeus; Luke's focus on anonymity emphasizes representative significance—he stands for all who sit in darkness awaiting the Light.