Matthew Chapter 15 · Verse 30
And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσῆλθον
came
G4334
προσῆλθον
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
2 of 26
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτούς·
them
G846
αὐτούς·
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 26
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
ὄχλοι
multitudes
G3793
ὄχλοι
multitudes
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
4 of 26
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
πολλούς,
great
G4183
πολλούς,
great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
5 of 26
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ἔχοντες
having
G2192
ἔχοντες
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
6 of 26
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
μεθ''
with
G3326
μεθ''
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἑαυτῶν
them those that were
G1438
ἑαυτῶν
them those that were
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
8 of 26
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
τυφλούς,
blind
G5185
τυφλούς,
blind
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
10 of 26
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
κωφούς,
dumb
G2974
κωφούς,
dumb
Strong's:
G2974
Word #:
11 of 26
blunted, i.e., (figuratively) of hearing (deaf) or speech (dumb)
κυλλούς,
maimed
G2948
κυλλούς,
maimed
Strong's:
G2948
Word #:
12 of 26
rocking about, i.e., crippled (maimed, in feet or hands)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πολλούς,
great
G4183
πολλούς,
great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
15 of 26
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔῤῥιψαν
cast
G4496
ἔῤῥιψαν
cast
Strong's:
G4496
Word #:
17 of 26
to fling (properly, with a quick toss, thus differing from g0906, which denotes a deliberate hurl; and from ????? (see in g1614), which indicates an e
αὐτούς·
them
G846
αὐτούς·
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 26
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
παρὰ
at
G3844
παρὰ
at
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
23 of 26
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
In ancient Mediterranean society, those with disabilities were often marginalized, unable to work, and dependent on charity. The bringing of the afflicted to Jesus shows communal care—families and neighbors transported those who couldn't come alone. This contrasts with pagan societies where the weak were often abandoned. The healings validated Jesus's messianic credentials, as Isaiah 61:1-2 (which Jesus quoted in Luke 4:18-19) described the Messiah's ministry of restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the community's role in bringing the afflicted challenge modern individualistic approaches to ministry?
- What paralyzes and mutes you spiritually that needs to be cast at Jesus's feet for healing?
Analysis & Commentary
And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others (καὶ προσῆλθον αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοὶ ἔχοντες μεθ' ἑαυτῶν χωλούς, τυφλούς, κωφούς, κυλλούς, καὶ ἑτέρους πολλούς)—The verb προσέρχομαι (proserchomai, 'to come to, to approach') emphasizes intentional drawing near. The catalog of afflictions—χωλός (lame), τυφλός (blind), κωφός (deaf/mute), κυλλός (crippled, maimed)—echoes Isaiah's messianic promises: 'Then shall the lame man leap...and the tongue of the dumb sing' (Isaiah 35:5-6).
And cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them (καὶ ἔρριψαν αὐτοὺς παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτούς)—The verb ῥίπτω (rhiptō, 'to cast, to throw') suggests urgency, even desperation. They didn't arrange appointments; they cast the afflicted before Jesus. His response was immediate: ἐθεράπευσεν (etherapen, 'He healed') in aorist tense showing completed action. No elaborate ritual, no selective healing—He healed them all. This mass healing demonstrates both His compassion and His power—He was neither exhausted by the multitude's demands nor selective about which sufferings merited His attention.