Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou Son of David have mercy on me.

Our guess is that it was the Pharisees who objected to all the shouting which hailed Jesus as the long-expected Messiah. There cannot fail to be an element of humor in this blind man shouting to high heaven that here indeed was the Messiah, and the lordly Pharisees trying to hush him up! There was no way that they could silence the blind man nor prevent the ages from hailing Christ as the Messiah.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And they that went before,.... In the company that preceded Christ; for he, as yet, was not come right over against the blind man:

rebuked him that he should hold his peace; being not well pleased that he should call him the son of David, which was acknowledging him to be the Messiah; or that he might not be troublesome to Christ, and retard his journey:

but he cried so much the more, thou son of David, have mercy on me; he neither dropped the character of Christ, nor his request to him; but called out more loudly, and with greater vehemence, earnestness, and importunity: so persons sensible of their need of Christ, and of his worth, excellency, and ability, are not to be discouraged from an application to him, by whatsoever they meet with from men, or devils.

Geneva Study Bible

(12) The more snares and hindrances that Satan lays in our way, even by those who profess Christ's name, so much the more ought we to go forward.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

rebuked, etc. — (See on Luke 18:15).

so much the more — that importunity so commended in the Syrophoenician woman, and so often enjoined (Luke 11:5-13; Luke 18:1-8).

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

That he should hold his peace (ινα σιγησηι — hina sigēsēi). Ingressive aorist subjunctive. That he should become silent; as with ινα σιωπησηι — hina siōpēsēi in Mark 10:48.

Vincent's Word Studies

Cried ( ἔκραζεν )

A stronger word than ἐβόησεν , cried, in the previous verse, which is merely to cry or shout, while this is to cry clamorously; to scream or shriek. Compare Matthew 15:23; Mark 5:5; Acts 19:28-34.

To be brought unto ( ἀχθῆναι πρὸς )

Used by Luke alone in the sense of bringing the sick to Christ. He also uses the compound verb προσάγω , which was a common medical term for bringing the sick to a physician, both in that and in other senses. See Luke 9:41; Acts 16:20; Acts 27:27.

The Fourfold Gospel

1. And they that went before rebuked him, etc. See .

Abbott's Illustrated New Testament

Rebuked him; on account of his so publicly proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, by giving him the title Son of David.

Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary

39.] οἱ προάγ. = ὁ ὄχλος Matt. = πολλοί Mark.

Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament

[39. πολλῷ μᾶλλον, so much the more) It is good to repel, in this way, interruptions of every kind (in our coming to Jesus).—V. g.]

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

See Poole on "Luke 18:36"

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘And those who went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace, but he cried out the more a great deal, “You son of David, have mercy on me.” ’

When those in the forefront of the crowds heard him crying out they told him to be quiet. They probably thought that he was begging for alms. But he would not be silenced, and he continued to ‘cry out the more a great deal’, “You son of David, have mercy on me.” Here was one who was persistently seeking to press into the Kingly Rule of God (Luke 16:16) where blind eyes were opened (Luke 4:18; Luke 7:21).

The word for ‘cried out’ here is much stronger than in the previous verse. He has now become desperate. He is fearful of missing this vital opportunity. He might never have the chance again. He will not take no for an answer.

The Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 18:39_{. , those in front, nearest him. He would hear the sound of the crowd before it came up to him; when it was close to him he would make inquiry .— : only in Lk. and St. Paul, showing editorial overworking of the source.— : a stronger word than and imperfect, kept shouting louder than before.}

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

went before rebuked. Those who go before the Lord (instead of following) are apt to make mistakes.

cried = continued calling (Imperative mood) Not the same word as in Luke 18:38.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

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.

And they which went before - "the multitude" (Matthew 20:31).

Rebuked him that he should hold his peace and not annoy or impede the progress of Jesus; very much in Rebuked him, that he should hold his peace - and not annoy, or impede the progress of Jesus; very much in the spirit of the Twelve themselves but a little before, when infants were brought to Him (see the note at Luke 18:15, and Remark 1 at the close of that section), and when the Syrophenician woman "cried after Him" (see the note at Mark 7:6). But O, how differently from them did Jesus feel!

But he cried so much the more, Son of David, have mercy on me! This is that importunity, so highly commended and richly rewarded in the Syrophoenician woman, and so often enjoined, (Luke 11:5, etc.; 18:1, etc.)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(39) They which went before—viz., those who were in advance of Jesus; probably, if we suppose Mark 10:32 to represent the usual order, not the disciples, but a portion of the crowd. On “the Son of David,” see Note on Matthew 9:27.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

rebuked

15; 8:49; 11:52; 19:39

but

11:8-10; 18:1; Genesis 32:26-28; Psalms 141:1; Jeremiah 29:12,13; Matthew 7:7; 26:40-44; 2 Corinthians 12:8