Luke 18:39
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προάγοντες
they which went before
G4254
προάγοντες
they which went before
Strong's:
G4254
Word #:
3 of 16
to lead forward (magisterially); intransitively, to precede (in place or time (participle, previous))
ἐπετίμων
rebuked
G2008
ἐπετίμων
rebuked
Strong's:
G2008
Word #:
4 of 16
to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid
αὐτὸς
he
G846
αὐτὸς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 16
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
σιωπήσῃ·
he should hold his peace
G4623
σιωπήσῃ·
he should hold his peace
Strong's:
G4623
Word #:
7 of 16
to be dumb (but not deaf also, like 2974 properly); figuratively, to be calm (as quiet water)
αὐτὸς
he
G846
αὐτὸς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 16
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
πολλῷ
so much
G4183
πολλῷ
so much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
10 of 16
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
μᾶλλον
the more
G3123
μᾶλλον
the more
Strong's:
G3123
Word #:
11 of 16
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
ἔκραζεν
cried
G2896
ἔκραζεν
cried
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
Υἱὲ
Thou Son
G5207
Υἱὲ
Thou Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
13 of 16
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Historical Context
Social hierarchy determined who could approach teachers and leaders. Beggars ranked at society's bottom; their interruptions were considered inappropriate. The disciples had previously tried to block children from Jesus (18:15-16), showing recurring failure to grasp kingdom values that exalt the lowly.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'gatekeepers' or religious obstacles might prevent desperate people from reaching Jesus today?
- How does the beggar's persistence despite rebuke model the kind of faith Jesus honors?
- When have you been tempted to silence or dismiss someone whose need disrupts your religious comfort?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace (οἱ προάγοντες ἐπετίμων αὐτῷ ἵνα σιωπήσῃ, hoi proagontes epetimōn autō hina siōpēsē)—Proagō (to go before) identifies Jesus's advance guard, likely disciples or prominent followers who control access. Epitimaō (to rebuke, charge sternly) is the verb used for silencing demons (4:35, 41)—they treat the beggar like a nuisance to be suppressed. Siōpaō (to be silent, hold peace) in the subjunctive implies intent: they want him shut down.
The rebuke reveals perverted priorities: maintaining decorum matters more than desperate need. These gatekeepers replicate religious establishment's pattern—blocking access to Jesus while claiming to serve Him. But he cried so much the more (αὐτὸς πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἔκραζεν, autos pollō mallon ekrazen)—the imperfect tense ekrazen (he kept crying) shows persistence. Pollō mallon (much more, all the more) intensifies: opposition doesn't silence him but amplifies his desperation. True faith perseveres through human obstacles.