Matthew 20:32
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στὰς
stood still
G2476
στὰς
stood still
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
2 of 12
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 12
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐφώνησεν
and called
G5455
ἐφώνησεν
and called
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
5 of 12
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 12
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
9 of 12
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
θέλετε
will ye
G2309
θέλετε
will ye
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
10 of 12
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
Cross References
Ezekiel 36:37Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.Philippians 4:6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.Matthew 20:21And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
Historical Context
The Passover pilgrimage was highly structured and time-sensitive. Pilgrims needed to arrive in Jerusalem before the feast began, creating urgency. Jesus's willingness to stop demonstrates His incarnate accessibility—the infinite God makes Himself available to finite, broken humanity. Mark 10:49 adds that Jesus commanded the crowd to call the blind men, showing His authority over those who would obstruct access to Him.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus's willingness to stop His journey to the cross for two beggars reveal about God's heart?
- How does Jesus's identical question to the ambitious disciples (v. 21) and desperate beggars (v. 32) expose the condition of our hearts?
- When has Jesus 'stood still' in your life despite your unworthiness to interrupt His purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Jesus stood still (στὰς ὁ Ἰησοῦς)—The aorist participle stas signals an abrupt halt; Jesus, resolutely marching toward Jerusalem and the cross (v. 17), stops for marginalized beggars. This demonstrates His priorities: human need trumps schedule. And called them (ἐφώνησεν αὐτούς)—The verb ephōnēsen (called, summoned) indicates personal initiative; Jesus doesn't wait for them to find Him but summons them to Himself.
What will ye that I shall do unto you? (Τί θέλετε ποιήσω ὑμῖν;)—This question mirrors the one Jesus asked James and John through their mother (v. 21): 'What would you like Me to do?' The contrast is devastating. James and John wanted thrones; the blind men want sight. The disciples sought glory; the beggars sought mercy. Jesus exposes the difference between carnal ambition and genuine need, between self-serving requests and dependent faith.