Receive your sight!This phrase is a direct command from Jesus, demonstrating His authority and power over physical ailments. In the context of
Luke 18, Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem and encounters a blind beggar near Jericho. The act of restoring sight is symbolic of spiritual enlightenment and salvation, as blindness often represents spiritual ignorance or unbelief in biblical literature. This miracle fulfills prophecies such as
Isaiah 35:5, which speaks of the eyes of the blind being opened in the Messianic age. Jesus' miracles often serve as signs pointing to His divine nature and the inauguration of God's kingdom.
Jesus replied.
The personal interaction between Jesus and the blind man highlights the compassionate nature of Christ. Jesus' response is not just a demonstration of power but also an expression of His willingness to engage with individuals in their suffering. This personal attention is consistent with Jesus' ministry, where He often stops to address the needs of those who call out to Him, as seen in other gospel accounts likeMark 10:46-52.
Your faith has healed you.
This statement underscores the importance of faith in the process of healing and salvation. The Greek word for "healed" can also be translated as "saved," indicating a dual meaning of physical healing and spiritual salvation. The emphasis on faith aligns with other biblical teachings, such asHebrews 11:6, which states that without faith, it is impossible to please God. This phrase also connects to other instances where Jesus attributes healing to faith, such as in the healing of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:34). It highlights the principle that faith is the means by which individuals receive God's grace and power.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one who performs the miracle of healing. He is portrayed as compassionate and powerful, responding to the faith of those who seek Him.
2.
Blind BeggarThe recipient of the miracle, this man demonstrates faith by calling out to Jesus for mercy, despite being rebuked by the crowd. His persistence and belief in Jesus' power are key elements in this account.
3.
JerichoThe city where this event takes place. Jericho is significant in biblical history as a place of both conquest and redemption.
4.
The CrowdThe people surrounding Jesus and the blind beggar. They initially try to silence the beggar, but their presence highlights the public nature of Jesus' miracles and teachings.
5.
DisciplesAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, the disciples are often present with Jesus, learning from His actions and teachings.
Teaching Points
Faith as a Catalyst for HealingThe blind beggar's faith is the key to his healing. Jesus acknowledges this by saying, "your faith has healed you." This teaches us that faith is not just belief but an active trust in Jesus' power and compassion.
Persistence in Seeking JesusDespite the crowd's attempts to silence him, the blind beggar persists in calling out to Jesus. This persistence is rewarded, illustrating the importance of perseverance in our spiritual lives.
Jesus' Compassion and PowerJesus' response to the beggar highlights His compassion and willingness to heal those who come to Him in faith. It reminds us of His divine power and love for humanity.
Public Witness of FaithThe healing occurs in the presence of a crowd, serving as a public testimony to Jesus' authority and the power of faith. Our faith can also serve as a witness to others.
Spiritual Insight and Physical HealingThe physical healing of the blind beggar symbolizes the spiritual insight that faith in Jesus brings. It encourages us to seek not only physical but also spiritual healing and understanding.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 18:42?
2.How does Luke 18:42 demonstrate the power of faith in Jesus' healing?
3.What can we learn from Jesus' response, "Your faith has healed you"?
4.How does Luke 18:42 connect with other healing miracles in the Gospels?
5.How can we apply the principle of faith from Luke 18:42 in daily life?
6.What role does faith play in our relationship with Jesus, according to Luke 18:42?
7.How does Luke 18:42 demonstrate the power of faith in healing?
8.What does Jesus' response in Luke 18:42 reveal about His authority?
9.How does Luke 18:42 align with the theme of salvation through faith?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 18?
11.Were there one or two blind men in Jericho?
12.What does "Your faith has made you well" mean?
13.How does Luke 18:18-30 align with other Bible passages that teach salvation through faith rather than works or possessions?
14.What did Jesus mean by 'More will be given'?What Does Luke 18:42 Mean
Receive your sight!Jesus’ first words address the man’s immediate, desperate need. They declare an instantaneous, tangible miracle.
• The command mirrors the creative authority seen inGenesis 1:3, where God says, “Let there be light,” and light appears.
• This moment fulfills prophetic promises such asIsaiah 35:5—“Then the eyes of the blind will be opened.”
• It echoes previous healings (Luke 7:22) where sight for the blind confirms Jesus as Messiah.
By speaking sight into existence, Jesus shows He is Lord over physical reality, not merely a spiritual teacher.
Jesus repliedThe phrase highlights personal engagement. Jesus is not indifferent; He responds to the blind man’s plea (Luke 18:38-41).
• He listens, provingPsalm 34:15: “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.”
• His reply assures us that calling on Him in faith never goes unheard, aligning withJeremiah 33:3.
Relationship, not ritual, moves the heart of Christ.
Your faith has healed you.Here Jesus links the miracle to the man’s trust, not to any merit or formula.
• Faith is the hand that receives God’s gift (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Similar words appear inMark 5:34 andLuke 17:19, showing a consistent pattern: faith appropriates divine power.
• The healing is both physical and spiritual; “healed” (sozo) frequently denotes salvation, as seen inRomans 10:9-10.
• Yet the power remains Christ’s alone (Acts 3:16): faith does not create the miracle; it connects the believer to the Savior who does.
summaryLuke 18:42 reveals Jesus’ sovereign authority (“Receive your sight!”), His personal responsiveness (“Jesus replied”), and the essential role of trusting Him (“Your faith has healed you”). The verse reassures every reader that Christ still hears, cares, and acts when faith reaches out to Him, affirming the reliability of Scripture and the sufficiency of the Savior.
(42)
Thy faith hath saved thee.--Better, as in St. Mark,
Thy faith hath made thee whole, the immediate reference being obviously to the restoration of the man's sight, and that which was in the immediate future being recognised as already ideally completed. Beyond this, as in the use of the same formula in
Luke 7:50, there lies in the word a reference to the salvation, the healthiness of spiritual vision, of which the restoration of bodily sight was at once the type and the earnest.
Verse 42. -
And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight. "Magnifique aumone du Christ" (Pressense').
Thy faith hathsaved thee. The American Longfellow has united the cry for mercy of the blind, the kindly sympathizing words of the disciples (reported by St. Mark), and the gift of Jesus Christ, in his exquisite poem of 'Blind Bartimaeus.' Those mighty voices three -
'
Ἰησοῦ ἐλέησόν με!
Θαρ´ρσει ἕγειρε φωνεῖ σὲΝΛ´Ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε!"
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
“Receive your sight!”Ἀνάβλεψον(Anablepson)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 308:To look up, recover my sight. From ana and blepo; to look up; by implication, to recover sight.JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.replied.εἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.“Yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.faithπίστις(pistis)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102:Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.has healedσέσωκέν(sesōken)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4982:To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.you.”σε(se)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
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NT Gospels: Luke 18:42 Jesus said to him Receive your sight (Luke Lu Lk)