Matthew 20:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”

NIV: Jesus stopped and called them. 'What do you want me to do for you?' he asked.

NASB: And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, 'What do you want Me to do for you?'

CSB: Jesus stopped, called them, and said, "What do you want me to do for you? "

NLT: When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, 'What do you want me to do for you?'

KJV: And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

NKJV: So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

Jesus has heard the cries of two blind, roadside beggars. As He and a large crowd pass by them on the road to Jerusalem, they have called out repeatedly, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" The use of that name showed that these two men believed Jesus to the be the long-promised Messiah of Israel. They also believe Him able to heal their blindness. Despite being told by the crowd to be quiet, they have continued to appeal to Christ (Matthew 20:29–31).

Now Jesus stops and calls back to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus has heard them and is responding, giving them a chance to ask for what they most desire from the Messiah. Their persistence has paid off, and is more important than the men might realize. This is Jesus' last trip through this area, as His arrest and crucifixion are merely days away (Matthew 20:17–19). Had the blind men hesitated, waited, or given up, they would never have gotten another chance to call out to Jesus.

Matthew 20:29–34 finds Jesus and a large crowd passing by two blind roadside beggars. Realizing it is Jesus, the blind men call out asking for His mercy. They call Him the Son of David, showing they know Him to be the Messiah. Refusing to be quieted by the crowd, they finally get a response from Jesus. He asks what they want, and they ask for their eyes to be opened. Jesus, having pity for them, heals the men. They begin to follow Him.

Jesus illustrates His earlier comments about how some of the "first will be last, and the last first" (Matthew 19:30) with a parable about hired workers. He then clearly tells His disciples about His impending death and resurrection. The mother of James and John asks Jesus to make her sons number two and three in His kingdom. Jesus tells the disciples that true greatness won't come by flaunting authority as the Gentile leaders do. Instead, they will become great by serving each other, even as a slave does, as Jesus Himself has done. He then heals two blind men immediately before entering Jerusalem.

Matthew 20 begins with a parable that illustrates Jesus' statement at the end of Matthew 19: In His kingdom, some of the first will be last and the last first. Still on their way to Jerusalem, Jesus tells the disciples for the third time that He will be killed and then raised on the third day. When asked, Jesus explains that it is not up to Him to grant the seats on His right and left hand in the kingdom and that His disciples will not become great in the way of Gentiles. Instead, they will find greatness by serving each other. A healing of two blind men leads into the triumphal entry, the first event in the last earthly week of Jesus' ministry.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 4/30/2024 6:34:58 PM