King James Version

What Does Luke 18:43 Mean?

Luke 18:43 in the King James Version says “And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave prai... — study this verse from Luke chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Luke 18:43 · KJV


Context

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.

43

And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And immediately he received his sight (καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνέβλεψεν, kai parachrēma aneblepsen)—Parachrēma (immediately, instantly, on the spot) emphasizes the miracle's instantaneous nature. The aorist tense aneblepsen (he saw) denotes completed action: darkness to sight in a moment. No gradual adjustment, no recovery period—immediate, total restoration demonstrating divine power over creation.

And followed him, glorifying God (καὶ ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ δοξάζων τὸν θεόν, kai ēkolouthei autō doxazōn ton theon)—the imperfect tense ēkolouthei (he was following) suggests continuous action. Akoloutheō is discipleship language; he becomes a follower, not just a healed spectator. Doxazō (to glorify, praise) in present participle form shows ongoing worship accompanying his following. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God (καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἰδὼν ἔδωκεν αἶνον τῷ θεῷ, kai pas ho laos idōn edōken ainon tō theō)—the healing becomes public testimony, turning the rebuking crowd into a praising congregation. Luke brackets his Gospel with temple worship (1:9) and ends with disciples 'continually in the temple, praising and blessing God' (24:53).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This miracle occurs just before Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem (19:28-40). The healed man likely joined the Palm Sunday crowd crying 'Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord!' (19:38). His physical and spiritual sight prepared him to recognize Messiah's kingship, while Jerusalem's leaders remained blind despite seeing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the progression from begging to following to glorifying model the Christian life's trajectory?
  2. What does the crowd's shift from rebuking to praising teach about how God's work changes communities, not just individuals?
  3. How should every experience of God's mercy lead naturally to both discipleship (following) and worship (glorifying)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
καὶ1 of 18

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παραχρῆμα2 of 18

immediately

G3916

at the thing itself, i.e., instantly

ἀνέβλεψεν3 of 18

he received his sight

G308

to look up; by implication, to recover sight

καὶ4 of 18

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἠκολούθει5 of 18

followed

G190

properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

αὐτῷ6 of 18

him

G846

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

δοξάζων7 of 18

glorifying

G1392

to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)

τὸν8 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ9 of 18

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ10 of 18

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πᾶς11 of 18

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

12 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαὸς13 of 18

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

ἰδὼν14 of 18

when they saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ἔδωκεν15 of 18

it gave

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αἶνον16 of 18

praise

G136

properly, a story, but used in the sense of g1868; praise (of god)

τῷ17 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ18 of 18

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


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 18:43 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 18:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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