What Does Matthew 20:29 Mean in the King James?
And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
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 crowd’s following evokes companions on a road: Jesus’ departure becomes a way others enter.
THE MEANING
The verse meets you at the moment of leaving: Jesus is moving out, and many move with him. Their following is shared movement, not mere attention fixed on him. Departure and accompaniment appear together.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The idea that following is only a private feeling gives way here: the verb describes people moving with him.
THE ROOT
ἠκολούθησεν
ēkolouthēsen
GROWS FROM
ἀκόλουθ- (akolouth-), from ἀκόλουθος (akolouthos); traditionally linked to κέλευθος (keleuthos)
Follower or companion; traditionally understood as one on the same road, with κέλευθος (keleuthos) meaning “road” or “way.”
“followed” in this verse is ēkolouthēsen. The Greek verb names following as accompanying movement. Its traditional road association gives the scene extra depth: the crowd does not simply watch Jesus leave; it joins his way.
ALSO GROWS
akolouthos: Companion, follower
ἀκόλουθος
It presents a follower as someone accompanying another, not merely looking toward them.
akolouthia: Following, attendance; a sequence or procession
ἀκολουθία
The word can describe people or events proceeding together, echoing the crowd moving after Jesus.
THE PATTERN
A way is disclosed through movement: guidance gives a path, and hearing the guide becomes following.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.THE THREAD
So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.The same verb for “followed” returns after the blind men receive sight. Here a multitude moves with Jesus; there, the men who had been sitting beside the road join that movement.
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