What Does Luke 18:35 Mean in the King James?

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

Luke 18:35 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The man cannot see Jesus approaching, yet his need is already being voiced where Jesus is drawing near.

THE MEANING

You see a man who cannot see, seated beside the road and asking for help as Jesus approaches Jericho. His need is already active in the scene: he is asking from the roadside before the encounter unfolds.

THE ROOT

ἐπαιτῶν

epaitōn

GROWS FROM

αἰτέω

aiteō

to ask or request

The Greek participle ⁨ἐπαιτῶν⁩ (epaitōn, begging) presents him in the act of asking as Jesus draws near. Its ⁨αἰτέω⁩ (aiteō, ask/request) root keeps the action visible: the man is not reduced to a condition, but shown making his need known.

ALSO GROWS

aitēma: A request or petition

αἴτημα

This noun from the same root keeps a request recognizable as something expressed, like the man’s roadside asking.

aitēsis: An act of asking or a request

αἴτησις

This branch preserves the movement of asking that the English word “begging” can make sound like a fixed identity.

THE PATTERN

A need voiced in asking can become the opening through which help reaches the one who asks.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalm 34:6 · KJVA person in need makes that need audible, and the LORD hears and delivers him.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:7 · KJVAsking stands at the threshold of receiving, seeking, and finding an opening.

And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

Luke 18:38 · KJVThe roadside man’s asking becomes a direct cry to Jesus as the encounter comes into view.

THE THREAD

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:7 · KJV

Luke’s word for “begging” is built on ⁨αἰτέω⁩ (aiteō, ask/request), the same Greek verb family behind “Ask” here. The shared root lets the roadside act of asking open onto a wider pattern: need voiced, then an answer or opening.

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