King James Version

What Does Matthew 15:30 Mean?

Matthew 15:30 in the King James Version says “And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cas... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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:

Matthew 15:30 · KJV


Context

28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

29

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

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:

31

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

32

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the community's role in bringing the afflicted challenge modern individualistic approaches to ministry?
  2. What paralyzes and mutes you spiritually that needs to be cast at Jesus's feet for healing?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
καὶ1 of 26

And

G2532

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

προσῆλθον2 of 26

came

G4334

to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to

αὐτούς·3 of 26

them

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

ὄχλοι4 of 26

multitudes

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

πολλούς,5 of 26

great

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ἔχοντες6 of 26

having

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

μεθ''7 of 26

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ἑαυτῶν8 of 26

them those that were

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

χωλούς,9 of 26

lame

G5560

"halt", i.e., limping

τυφλούς,10 of 26

blind

G5185

opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)

κωφούς,11 of 26

dumb

G2974

blunted, i.e., (figuratively) of hearing (deaf) or speech (dumb)

κυλλούς,12 of 26

maimed

G2948

rocking about, i.e., crippled (maimed, in feet or hands)

καὶ13 of 26

And

G2532

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

ἑτέρους14 of 26

others

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

πολλούς,15 of 26

great

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

καὶ16 of 26

And

G2532

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

ἔῤῥιψαν17 of 26

cast

G4496

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·18 of 26

them

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

παρὰ19 of 26

at

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τοὺς20 of 26
G3588

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

πόδας21 of 26

feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

τοῦ22 of 26
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦ23 of 26

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

καὶ24 of 26

And

G2532

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

ἐθεράπευσεν25 of 26

he healed

G2323

to wait upon menially, i.e., (figuratively) to adore (god), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)

αὐτούς·26 of 26

them

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 15:30 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 Matthew 15:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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