The Compassion of Christ: Healing Two Blind Men

The Gospels record many healings of the blind, but two accounts in the Gospel of Matthew feature the healing of two blind men. These narratives, found in Matthew 9:27-31 and Matthew 20:29-34, show faith in the Son of David and the compassion of Christ.

The First Encounter: Following Jesus into the House

The first instance of Jesus healing two blind men occurs relatively early in His ministry, as recorded by Matthew. Following the resurrection of Jairus's daughter and the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus departs from the ruler's house, and immediately, two blind men begin to follow Him, crying out for mercy.

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

Matthew 9:27
KJV

Their cry, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on us," is more than a plea for physical healing: it acknowledges Jesus's Messiahship. "Son of David" was a common messianic title, acknowledging Jesus as the promised heir to David's throne, the King of Israel. Their spiritual insight, despite their physical blindness, is striking. They saw, by faith, who Jesus was, even when many with physical sight remained spiritually blind.

Jesus does not immediately heal them in the street. Instead, He leads them into a house, creating a more intimate setting for the miracle. This might suggest a desire to emphasize the personal nature of faith and healing, or perhaps to avoid immediate public spectacle, though the news would inevitably spread.

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Matthew 9:28
KJV

Jesus’s question, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" is central to the narrative. It shows the prerequisite of faith for receiving God's miraculous intervention. It wasn't a question of whether Jesus was capable – His power was inherent – but whether they believed in His ability and willingness to act on their behalf. Their immediate and confident reply, "Yea, Lord," affirmed their unwavering faith. Upon this confession, Jesus touched their eyes, declaring, "According to your faith be it unto you."

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

Matthew 9:29-30
KJV

Their sight was instantly restored. Jesus then gave them a strict charge to keep the miracle a secret. Matthew Henry gives several reasons for such a charge: to set an example of lowliness, to avoid stirring the jealousy of the rulers before the time, and, following Dr. Whitby, to forestall the notion of a temporal prince whom the people would set up by force (John 6:15). However, the joy and gratitude of the healed men proved too great for them to contain:

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Matthew 9:31
KJV

Their disobedience, which Matthew Henry calls "more an act of zeal, than of prudence", was "honestly meant for the honour of Christ", yet it was "done against a particular charge."

The Second Encounter: Near Jericho

The second account of two blind men receiving their sight from Jesus occurs much later in His ministry, as He was departing from Jericho on His final journey to Jerusalem. This event is also recorded in Mark 10:46-52 (which names one blind man, Bartimaeus) and Luke 18:35-43 (which also mentions one blind man, but as Jesus was approaching Jericho). Matthew, however, consistently highlights two individuals.

And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

Matthew 20:29-30
KJV

Again, the blind men cry out with the messianic title, "O Lord, thou Son of David." This time, they are sitting by the roadside, and a great multitude is following Jesus. Their persistent cries draw the rebuke of the crowd, who tell them to hold their peace. Yet, their desperation and faith only intensify their pleas:

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

Matthew 20:31
KJV

Despite the rebuke of the crowd, they refused to be silenced. Jesus, ever compassionate, stops and calls them, asking, "What will ye that I shall do unto you?"

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

Matthew 20:32-33
KJV

This question, though the answer seems obvious, requires them to voice their need and their faith. Their answer is simple and direct: "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Matthew 20:34
KJV

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately, their sight was restored. The response of these men is also telling: "and they followed him." Unlike the first pair, who spread His fame, these men chose to follow Him, which shows the transforming power of His healing.

Profound Lessons from the Blind Men

These two accounts, though distinct in their details, offer consistent and vital lessons for all who seek Christ:

  • The Power of Persistent Prayer and Recognition of Christ's Identity: In both narratives, the blind men cry out to Jesus using the title "Son of David." This demonstrates their understanding that Jesus was more than just a prophet or a healer; He was the promised Messiah, the only one capable of delivering them. Their persistence, even in the face of rebuke, highlights the importance of earnest and unwavering prayer.
  • The Centrality of Faith: Jesus explicitly asks, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" Their affirmation of faith is the precursor to their healing. This principle is foundational throughout the Gospels: without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Physical healing is often a tangible demonstration of the power of faith in Christ.
  • Jesus's Compassion: At Jericho Jesus "had compassion on them" (Matthew 20:34), and in the house He answered the same cry with the same touch. His miracles were not mere displays of power but expressions of His divine love and empathy for suffering humanity. His compassion extended to the poor and the outcast, including the blind, who sat begging by the highway side (Mark 10:46).
  • Physical Healing as a Glimpse of Spiritual Restoration: The healing of physical blindness is often a powerful metaphor for spiritual enlightenment. Just as these men were physically unable to see the world around them, many are spiritually blind, unable to perceive the truth of God's Word or the reality of His kingdom (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind, both literally and spiritually (John 9:39).
  • The Response to Healing: The first pair of healed men, though charged to tell no one, spread His fame, unable to contain their joy. The second pair followed Him. Both show gratitude, and Scripture calls us both to proclaim His works and to follow Him in discipleship, as He directs.

Conclusion

The healing of the two blind men in Matthew's Gospel testifies to the person and work of Jesus Christ. These accounts show His authority, His compassion, and the place of faith in receiving His blessings. Jesus is the "Son of David," the promised Messiah, who not only opens physical eyes but also illuminates the darkened understanding of the spiritually blind. May we, like these two men, cry out to Him with persistent faith, trusting in His power and compassion, and then follow Him or proclaim His glorious deeds to a world still in need of sight.