King James Version
What Does Luke 18:40 Mean?
“And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,”
Luke 18:40 · KJV
Context
38
And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
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.
40
And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41
Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42
And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him (σταθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀχθῆναι πρὸς αὐτόν, statheis de ho Iēsous ekeleusen auton achthēnai pros auton)—Statheis (having stood, stopped) is decisive. Jesus halts the entire procession for one marginalized man. Keleuō (to command, order) carries authority—what the crowd tried to prevent, Jesus mandates. The aorist passive infinitive achthēnai (to be brought) means others must escort the blind man through the crowd that had blocked him.
This reversal is radical: the rebukers become facilitators. Those who said 'be quiet' must now say 'come.' Jesus's authority transforms gatekeepers into servants. And when he was come near, he asked him (ἐγγίσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτόν, engisantos de autou epērōtēsen auton)—the genitive absolute engisantos (having come near) shows progressive movement. Jesus doesn't shout questions from distance but waits for proximity, honoring the man with personal attention.
This reversal is radical: the rebukers become facilitators. Those who said 'be quiet' must now say 'come.' Jesus's authority transforms gatekeepers into servants. And when he was come near, he asked him (ἐγγίσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτόν, engisantos de autou epērōtēsen auton)—the genitive absolute engisantos (having come near) shows progressive movement. Jesus doesn't shout questions from distance but waits for proximity, honoring the man with personal attention.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Rabbis rarely initiated contact with beggars or disabled persons, who were often considered under divine curse (cf. John 9:2's question about sin causing blindness). Jesus's stopping and commanding the man's approach upends social and religious convention, demonstrating kingdom values that prioritize people over protocol.
Reflection Questions
- How does Jesus's stopping for one desperate person challenge our efficiency-driven culture that values productivity over people?
- What does requiring the crowd to bring the beggar teach about communal responsibility for marginalized access to Christ?
- When has Jesus halted your planned agenda to redirect attention to someone you'd overlooked?
Original Language Analysis
Greek · 14 wordsσταθεὶς1 of 14
“stood”
G2476to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Ἰησοῦς4 of 14
“Jesus”
G2424jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτόν6 of 14
“he”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀχθῆναι7 of 14
“to be brought”
G71properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
πρὸς8 of 14
“unto”
G4314a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτόν9 of 14
“he”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτόν12 of 14
“he”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτόν14 of 14
“he”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Luke 18:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Luke 18:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge