Matthew 20:29-34, Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Comments

The miraculous healing of the blind men marked the end of Jesus’ itinerate ministry. Stopping in the middle of the large crowd showed Jesus’ Messianic priorities quite different from the crowd’s. Pity motivated Jesus to act, not the desire to put his miraculous abilities on display.

The Greek word used for “eyes” is not the usual. It is poetic and is used of “the eyes of the soul.” It suggests something greater than physical blindness. He healed not only their physical blindness but their spiritual as well.

Prayer

Teach us, O God, not to torture ourselves, not to make martyrs of ourselves through stifling reflection; but rather teach us to breathe deeply in faith, through Jesus, our Lord.

Soren Kierkegaard, 1813-1855