Bible Strands
Matthew 20:32
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus pauses his journey to address two blind men who have just intensified their cries for mercy despite the crowd's attempts to silence them. He directly asks them to specify the exact relief they desire.
The words — The Greek participle στὰς (stas) literally translates to "having stopped," indicating a deliberate halt in Jesus' movement. His subsequent verb εἶπεν (eipen) simply records the direct speech that immediately follows.
The thread — This dynamic of divine inquiry meeting human petition appears in Ezekiel 36:37, where God pledges to hear Israel's plea, and in Philippians 4:6, which instructs believers to present requests to God. The phrasing structurally mirrors Jesus' earlier question in Matthew 20:21, though the recipients and context differ.
Why it lands — The text records Jesus halting his progress and posing a direct question to the blind men. It requires the supplicants to articulate their specific need before any intervention occurs, placing the burden of precise request on the petitioner.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 36:37 This is what the Lord GOD says: Once again I will hear the plea of the house of Israel and do for them this: I will multiply their people like a flock.
- Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- Matthew 20:21 “What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”
- Acts 10:29 So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?”