The verse "As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him" (Matthew 20:29) means that as Jesus and his disciples were leaving the city of Jericho, a large crowd of people began to follow them.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning and its implications:
"As they went out from Jericho": This sets the scene. Jesus and his followers were departing Jericho. This indicates the end of a particular segment of Jesus' ministry in that location.
"a great multitude followed him": This highlights Jesus' popularity and the impact he had on the people. A "great multitude" suggests a significant number of people were drawn to him. This following could be due to various reasons, such as:
Faith: People believed in Jesus as the Messiah.
Hope: They sought healing or deliverance from their problems.
Curiosity: They were intrigued by his teachings and miracles.
Solidarity: They wanted to show support and be part of the movement surrounding him.
Implications and Significance:
Growing Influence: The large crowd demonstrates Jesus' increasing influence and recognition as he moved toward Jerusalem.
Expectations and Excitement: The multitude's presence hints at the rising expectations of what Jesus might do next, especially as they approached Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religious and political life.
Setting the Stage for the Triumphal Entry: This verse is a precursor to the events leading up to Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21), where he would be greeted as a king by an even larger crowd.
Contrast with the Leaders: The large following contrasts with the growing opposition from the religious leaders who saw Jesus as a threat.
In summary, Matthew 20:29 depicts a scene of Jesus gaining popularity and momentum as he leaves Jericho, highlighting the increasing number of people who were drawn to him and the rising anticipation surrounding his arrival in Jerusalem.
The verse "As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him" (Matthew 20:29) means that as Jesus and his disciples were leaving the city of Jericho, a large crowd of people began to follow them.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning and its implications:
"As they went out from Jericho": This sets the scene. Jesus and his followers were departing Jericho. This indicates the end of a particular segment of Jesus' ministry in that location.
"a great multitude followed him": This highlights Jesus' popularity and the impact he had on the people. A "great multitude" suggests a significant number of people were drawn to him. This following could be due to various reasons, such as:
Faith: People believed in Jesus as the Messiah.
Hope: They sought healing or deliverance from their problems.
Curiosity: They were intrigued by his teachings and miracles.
Solidarity: They wanted to show support and be part of the movement surrounding him.
Implications and Significance:
Growing Influence: The large crowd demonstrates Jesus' increasing influence and recognition as he moved toward Jerusalem.
Expectations and Excitement: The multitude's presence hints at the rising expectations of what Jesus might do next, especially as they approached Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religious and political life.
Setting the Stage for the Triumphal Entry: This verse is a precursor to the events leading up to Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21), where he would be greeted as a king by an even larger crowd.
Contrast with the Leaders: The large following contrasts with the growing opposition from the religious leaders who saw Jesus as a threat.
In summary, Matthew 20:29 depicts a scene of Jesus gaining popularity and momentum as he leaves Jericho, highlighting the increasing number of people who were drawn to him and the rising anticipation surrounding his arrival in Jerusalem.