Matthew 20:31
And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλος
the multitude
G3793
ὄχλος
the multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
3 of 17
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἐπετίμησεν
rebuked
G2008
ἐπετίμησεν
rebuked
Strong's:
G2008
Word #:
4 of 17
to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 17
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
σιωπήσωσιν·
they should hold their peace
G4623
σιωπήσωσιν·
they should hold their peace
Strong's:
G4623
Word #:
7 of 17
to be dumb (but not deaf also, like 2974 properly); figuratively, to be calm (as quiet water)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔκραζον
they cried
G2896
ἔκραζον
they cried
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἐλέησον
Have mercy
G1653
Ἐλέησον
Have mercy
Strong's:
G1653
Word #:
13 of 17
to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
κύριε,
O Lord
G2962
κύριε,
O Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
15 of 17
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern crowds viewed interruptions of important people as presumptuous, especially by marginalized beggars. Social hierarchy demanded that the poor not inconvenience the prominent. The crowd's rebuke reflects first-century honor-shame culture, where blind beggars occupied the lowest social stratum. Yet Jesus consistently elevated those society marginalized: women, children, lepers, tax collectors, and here, blind beggars whose faith surpassed the religiously respectable.
Questions for Reflection
- How do religious crowds today still function as obstacles rather than conduits to Jesus?
- What does the blind men's persistence despite rebuke teach about the relationship between desperate need and genuine faith?
- When have you been silenced by religious gatekeepers, and how did you respond?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the multitude rebuked them (ὁ δὲ ὄχλος ἐπετίμησεν αὐτοῖς)—The verb epetimēsen (rebuked) carries strong censure; the crowd actively silenced the blind men, considering their cries inappropriate or annoying. Religious crowds often obstruct rather than assist those seeking Jesus. Because they should hold their peace (ἵνα σιωπήσωσιν)—The purpose clause reveals the crowd's intent to silence worship that inconvenienced them.
But they cried the more (οἱ δὲ μεῖζον ἔκραξαν)—The comparative adverb meizon (the more, greater) shows intensified desperation. Opposition increased their urgency rather than silencing them—genuine faith persists despite social pressure. Their repeated cry, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David, demonstrates that true worshipers cannot be quieted by religious gatekeepers. This echoes the Canaanite woman's persistent faith despite initial dismissal (Matthew 15:21-28).