Matthew 20:29

Matthew 20:29

And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

a. ASV: And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

b. YLT: And they going forth from Jericho, there followed him a great multitude,

c. Classic Amplified: And as they were going out of Jericho, a great throng accompanied Him.

1. “And as they departed from Jericho…”

a. And [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. [as] they [Strong: 846. autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

c. departed [Strong: 1607. ekporeuomai ek-por-yoo'-om-ahee from 1537 and 4198; to depart, be discharged, proceed, project:--come (forth, out of), depart, go (forth, out), issue, proceed (out of).]

d. from [Strong: 575. apo apo' a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.]

e. Jericho [Strong: 2410. Hiericho hee-er-ee-kho' of Hebrew origin (3405); Jericho, a place in Palestine:--Jericho.]

1). This incident of healing the two blind men in Matthew 20:29-34, is also found in Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43. Here in Matthew 20:29 it says clearly that Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho. In Mark 10:46 it says clearly that they were leaving Jericho and in Luke 18:35 it says clearly that they were coming to Jericho.

a). Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

b). Luke 18:35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

2). The simple explanation was there were two Jericho’s. The first one was destroyed by Israel when they first entered the land of Canaan (Joshua 6). After it was destroyed, Joshua pronounced a curse upon anyone who attempted to rebuild it.

a). Joshua 6:26  And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

3). This prophetic curse was realized centuries later during the reign of Ahab, king of Israel.

a). 1 Kings 16:33, 34 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

16:34 In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

4). In the time of Jesus the rebuilt city of Jericho was about two miles away from the ruins of the Jericho destroyed during Israel’s conquest. So it was accurate that Jesus was leaving Jericho and that Jesus was entering Jericho. At the time of Elijah’s departure to heaven there was a school of the prophets at Jericho. So somtime between 1 Kings 16:34 and 2 Kings 2:5 there were at least the beginnings of an effort to rebuild Jericho away from its original position.

a). 2 Kings 2:5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

2. “...a great multitude followed him.”

a. [a] great [Strong: 4183. polus pol-oos' including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

b. multitude [Strong: 3793 3793. ochlos okh'los from a derivative of 2192 (meaning a vehicle); a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot:--company, multitude, number (of people), people, press.]

c. followed [Strong: 190. akoloutheo ak-ol-oo-theh'-o from 1 (as a particle of union) and keleuthos (a road); properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple):--follow, reach.]

d. him [Strong: [Strong: 846. autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]