Luke 18:36

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Luke 18:36 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

King James Version KJV

And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

American Standard Version ASV

and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And hearing the sound of a great number of people going by, he said, What is this?

Free Bible Version FBV

He heard the crowd going past, so he asked what was happening.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And when he heard the people passe by, he asked what it meant.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and having heard a multitude going by, he was inquiring what this may be,

World English Bible WEB

Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And hearing the multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant.

Translation for Translators T4T

When he heard the crowd of people passing by, he asked someone, “What is happening?”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Luke 18:36

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Luke 18:36 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ακουσας δε οχλου διαπορευομενου επυνθανετο τι ειη τουτο

ακουσας akouō G191 to hear Verb-AAP-NSM

δε de G1161 then Conj

οχλου ochlos G3793 crowd Noun-GSM

διαπορευομενου diaporeuō G1279 to go through Verb-PNP-GSM

επυνθανετο punthanomai G4441 to inquire Verb-INI-3S

τι tis G5101 which? Interrog-NSN

ειη eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAO-3S

τουτο ohutos G3778 this/he/she/it Dem-NSN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Luke 18:36

ακουσας akouō G191 "to hear" Verb-AAP-NSM

To hear or listen, not just with our ears but also to understand and obey, as Jesus says in Mark 4:3 and Matthew 11:15. It involves paying attention to what is being said and responding accordingly.

Definition: ἀκούω, [in LXX chiefly for שׁמע ] to hear, listen, attend, perceive by hearing, comprehend by hearing. __1. Intrans.: Mrk.4:3 7:37, Jas.2:5, Rev.2:7, al.; τ. ὠσίν, Mat.13:15 (LXX); with cogn. dative, ακοῇ ἀ. (see: ἀκοή), Mat.13:14, Act.28:26" (LXX) ; ὁ ἔχων ὦτα (οὖς) ἀκούειν, ἀκουσάτω, Mat.11:15, Mrk.4:23, Rev.2:7, al. __2. Trans., prop. with accusative of thing(s), of thing heard, genitive of person(s), from whom heard (LS, see word): Act.1:4; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.12:19, Jhn.3:8 (Abbott, JG, 76), Act.22:9, al.; with dupl. accusative, Jhn.12:18, 1Co.11:18; with genitive of thing(s), Jhn.7:40 (Abbott, JV, 116); τ. φωνῆς (cf. Heb. שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל, Exo.18:19), Jhn.5:25, 28 Act.9:7 (on the distinction bet. this and ἀ. φωνήν, ib. 4, see M, Pr., 66; Field, Notes, 117; Abbott, Essays, 93f.); of God answering prayer, Jhn.9:31, 1Jn.5:14, 15; with accusative of thing(s), before παρά, Jhn.8:26, 40 Act.10:22, 2Ti.2:2; id. before ἀπό, 1Jn.1:5; with genitive pars. before ptcp., Mrk.14:58, Luk.18:36, al. (On NT usage generally, see Bl., §36, 5; Cremer, 82.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 401 NT verses. KJV: give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; Acts 23:16; Hebrews 2:1.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

οχλου ochlos G3793 "crowd" Noun-GSM

A crowd is a large group of people, like in Matthew 5:1 where Jesus taught the crowd. It can also refer to a riot or a class of people.

Definition: ὄχλος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX for הָמוֹן (chiefly in Da TH), קָהָל ,חַיִל, etc. ;] __1. a moving crowd or multitude of persons, a throng: Mat.9:23, Mrk.2:4, Luk.5:1, Jhn.5:13, al.; pl., Mat.5:1, Mrk.10:1, Luk.3:7, and freq.; ὄ. ἱκανός, Mrk.10:46, al.; τοσοῦτος, Mat.15:33; οὐ μετ᾽ ὄχλου, Act.24:18; ἄτερ ὄχλου, Luk.22:6; πᾶς ὁ ὄ., Mat.13:2, Mrk.2:13, al.; ὄ. πολύς, Mat.20:29, Mrk.5:21, al.; ὁ πολὺς ὄ. (ὄ. π.), the populace, the common people, Mrk.12:37 (Swete, in l.; Field, Notes, 37), Jhn.12:9 (Westc, in l.). __2. (As also cl., opposite to δῆμος, which see, and cf. Tr., Syn., §xcviii), the populace, the common people (cf. ὁ πολὺς ὄ., supr.), Mat.14:5 21:26, Mrk.12:12, Jhn.7:12b; so with contempt (cl.), Jhn.7:49. In a more general sense, a multitude: with genitive, ὀνομάτων (see: ὀ.), Act.1:15; μαθητῶν, Luk.6:17, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 169 NT verses. KJV: company, multitude, number (of people), people, press See also: Acts 1:15; Mark 3:9; Revelation 7:9.

διαπορευομενου diaporeuō G1279 "to go through" Verb-PNP-GSM

To travel through a place, like Jesus did in Luke 13:22, journeying through cities and towns.

Definition: δια-πορεύω [in LXX for עָבַר, הָלַךְ, etc. ;] to carry over. Pass., to pass across, journey through: absol., Luk.18:36, Rom.15:24; before κατὰ πόλεις κ. κώμας, Luk.13:22; διά, with genitive, Mrk.2:23, Luk.6:1 (cf. Pro.9:12 with, Wis.3:1); with accusative, Act.16:4.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: go through, journey in, pass by See also: Acts 16:4; Luke 13:22; Romans 15:24.

επυνθανετο punthanomai G4441 "to inquire" Verb-INI-3S

To inquire means to ask questions to get information, like in John 4:42 and Acts 23:20, where people seek to learn something.

Definition: πυνθώ᾽ομαι [in LXX for דָּרַשׁ ;] __1. to inquire: with accusative of thing(s), Jhn.4:42, Act.23:20; before quæst. indir., Mat.2:4, Luk.15:25 18:36, Act.10:18 21:33; quæst. dir., Act.4:7 10:20 23:10; before παρά, with genitive of person(s), Mat.2:4, Jhn.4:52. __2. to learn by inquiry: before ὅτι, Act.23:34.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: ask, demand, enquire, understand See also: Acts 4:7; Acts 23:34; Matthew 2:4.

τι tis G5101 "which?" Interrog-NSN

This interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions like who, which, or what, as seen in Matthew 3:7 and Mark 11:28. It seeks information about a person or thing. This term is essential in direct and indirect questions.

Definition: τίς, neut., τί, genitive, τίνος, interrog. pron., [in LXX for מָה ,מִי ;] in masc. and fem., who, which, what?; in neut., which, what?, used both in direct and in indirect questions. __I. I. As subst., __1. 1. masc., fem.: τίς; who, what?, Mat.3:7 26:68; Mrk.11:28, Luk.9:9, al. mult.; with genitive partit., Act.7:52, Heb.1:5, al; before ἐκ (= genitive partit.), Mat.6:27, Luk.14:28, Jhn.8:46; = ποῖος, Mrk.4:41 6:2, Luk.19:3, Act.17:19, al.; = πότερος (M, Pr., 77), Mat.21:31 27:17, Luk.22:27, al.; = ὅς or ὅστις (rare in cl.; cf. Bl., §50, 5; M, Pr., 93), Act.13:25. __2. Neut.: τί; what?, Mat.5:47 11:7, Mrk.10:3, al.; χάριν τίνος, 1Jn.3:12; διὰ τί, Mat.9:11, al.; εἰς τί, Mat.14:31, al.; elliptically, ἵνα τί (sc. γένηται), why, Mat.9:5, al.; τί οὖν, Rom.3:9 6:1, 15 1Co.14:15, al.; τί γάρ, Rom.3:3, Phi 1:18; τί ἐμοὶ (ὑμῖν) καὶ σοί, see: ἔγω. __II. As adj.: who? what? which?, Mat.5:46, Luk.14:31, Jhn.2:18, al. __III. As adv.: = διὰ τι (τί ὅτι), why, Mat.6:28, Mrk.4:40, Luk.6:46, Jhn.18:23, al.; in rhet. questions, = a negation, Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, 23 1Co.5:12 7:16, al. in exclamations (like Heb. מָה), how (2Ki.6:20, Psa.3:2, al.), Luk.12:49. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 514 NT verses. KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why See also: 1 Corinthians 2:11; Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:11.

ειη eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAO-3S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

τουτο ohutos G3778 "this/he/she/it" Dem-NSN

This refers to a specific person or thing, like when Jesus says 'this is my body' in Matthew 26:26 and Mark 14:22.

Definition: οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; __1. as subst., this one, he; __(a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; __(b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; __(with) proleptic (referring to what follows): before ἵνα (Bl., §69, 6), Luk.1:43, Jhn.3:19 (and freq.) 15:8, Rom.14:9, al.; before ὅτι, Luk.10:11, Jhn.9:3o, Act.24:14, Rom.2:3, al.; ὅπως, Rom.9:17; ἐάν, Jhn.13:35; __(d) special idioms: τοῦτο μὲν . . . τ. δέ (cl), partly . . . partly. Heb.10:33; καὶ τοῦτο (τοῦτον, ταῦτα), and that (him) too, Rom.13:11, 1Co.2:2, Heb.11:12; τοῦτ᾽ ἐστιν, Mat.27:46. __2. As adj., with subst.; __(a) with art. __(α) before the art.: Mat.12:32, Mrk.9:29, Luk.7:44, Jhn.4:15, Rom.11:24, Rev.19:9, al.; __(β) after the noun: Mat.3:9, Mrk.12:16, Luk.11:31, Jhn.4:13, Act.6:13, Rom.15:28, 1Co.1:20, Rev.2:24, al.; __(b) with subst. anarth. (with predicative force; Bl., §49, 4): Luk.1:36 2:2 24:21, Jhn.2:11 4:54 21:14, 2Co.13:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1281 NT verses. KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 1:11.

Study Notes — Luke 18:36

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Luke 18:36 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Luke 18:36
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 18:36
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 18:36
Trapp's Commentary on Luke 18:36
Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 18:36
Whedon's Commentary on Luke 18:36
Sermons on Luke 18:36

Context — Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

34But the disciples did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying. 35As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging.

36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

37“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. 38So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 21:10–11	When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
2	Luke 15:26	So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.

Luke 18:36 Summary

[This verse tells us about a blind man who was sitting by the side of the road, begging, and when he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. He was curious and wanted to know what all the commotion was about, similar to how we might be curious about a big event or celebration. As we read in Luke 18:36, the blind man's curiosity led him to ask about the crowd, and ultimately, it led him to Jesus. This can teach us to be more aware of our surroundings and to seek out opportunities to encounter Jesus, just like the blind man did, and as encouraged in Matthew 7:7-8.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the blind man ask what was happening when he heard the crowd going by?

The blind man asked what was happening because he was aware that a large crowd was passing by, and as someone who was begging, he may have been trying to understand the commotion in order to potentially benefit from it, as seen in Luke 18:36, and this curiosity ultimately led him to Jesus, similar to the woman at the well in John 4:7.

How did the blind man know to ask about the crowd?

The blind man's other senses, such as hearing, were likely heightened due to his lack of sight, allowing him to perceive the crowd's presence and movement, as mentioned in Luke 18:36, and this is similar to how the blind are often more perceptive in other ways, as noted in Isaiah 42:16.

What can we learn from the blind man's curiosity in this verse?

The blind man's curiosity and desire to understand what was happening can teach us to be more aware of our surroundings and to seek out opportunities to encounter Jesus, just as the blind man did in Luke 18:36, and as encouraged in Matthew 7:7-8.

How does this verse relate to the greater context of Jesus' ministry?

This verse is part of a larger narrative in which Jesus is journeying to Jerusalem, and the blind man's encounter with Him is a demonstration of Jesus' power and compassion, as seen in Luke 18:35-43, and is reminiscent of other healings and miracles performed by Jesus, such as in Matthew 9:27-31.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can be more curious and open to encountering Jesus in my daily life, just like the blind man in Luke 18:36?
How can I use my senses, like the blind man, to perceive and respond to the presence of God in my life?
What are some areas of my life where I may be 'blind' or lacking in understanding, and how can I seek out Jesus' guidance and healing in those areas, as encouraged in Psalm 119:18?
In what ways can I be more aware of the 'crowd' around me, and how can I use those opportunities to share the love and message of Jesus with others, as seen in Acts 2:47?

Gill's Exposition on Luke 18:36

And hearing the multitude pass by,.... Their "voice", as the Syriac version expresses it; the noise of their feet, and especially of their tongues; he asked what it meant?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 18:36

And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant - a most graphic and natural touch; the sound being all he had to tell him what was going on.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 18:36

Ver. 36-43. See Poole on "", and following verses to , See Poole on "", and following verses to , where this whole history is more fully opened. It is here again very remarkable, how much Christ attributes to faith: Thy faith hath saved thee, , which can be no otherwise understood, than of faith as the condition that was required in the person to be healed, for it is most certain that Christ by his Divine power was the efficient cause of this blind man’ s healing; but he exerted this Divine power upon that exercise of faith which he discerned in the blind man, whose faith seemeth to be a degree higher than that of the leper’ s, , who said no more than Jesus, Master. Jesus, thou Son of David, was much more than this. It speaks the blind man’ s persuasion, that Christ was the Messiah; for it was an uncontrolled tradition amongst the Jews, that the Messiah was to be the Son of David. Christ rewards the least exercises of true faith, but much more the higher exercises of it. It doth not appear that this blind man was fully informed who the Messiah should be, viz. God man, but so far as he knew he professeth, he calleth Jesus the Son of David.

Trapp's Commentary on Luke 18:36

36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. Ver. 36. See Matthew 20:29; Mark 10:46.

Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 18:36

(36) Hearing the multitude pass by.—Better, a multitude, the Greek having no article, and its absence better expressing the vague impression left on the blind man by the sound of many footsteps and voices.

Whedon's Commentary on Luke 18:36

§ 108. JESUS SIGHT TO THE BLIND NEAR JERICHO, Luke 18:35-43.See notes on Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52.

Sermons on Luke 18:36

	Sermon	Description
	The Violent Overthrow of God's House by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, Pastor David speaks about the violent overthrow of God's house, referencing the story of Jesus entering the temple in Jerusalem. The city was moved by Jesus' presen