Matthew 9:29

KJV

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} touched he {G680} their {G846} eyes {G3788}, saying {G3004}, According {G2596} to your {G5216} faith {G4102} be it {G1096} unto you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he touched their eyes and said, "Let it happen to you according to your trust";

Berean Standard Bible

Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.”

American Standard Version

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it done unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:29 records Jesus' profound declaration to two blind men, stating that their healing would be "according to your faith." This pivotal moment highlights Jesus' divine authority, His compassionate response to human suffering, and the crucial role of personal faith as a conduit for God's miraculous power, demonstrating a fundamental principle of divine-human interaction within His earthly ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a concentrated section of Matthew's Gospel (chapters 8-9) that showcases a series of Jesus' miracles, demonstrating His messianic authority over disease, demons, and even death. Immediately preceding this event, Jesus had healed a paralytic and called Matthew, a tax collector, to be His disciple, provoking controversy among the Pharisees. The narrative of the two blind men begins in [Matthew 9:27](/matthew/9-27 "Matthew 9:27 - The Blind Men's Plea"), where they follow Jesus, crying out, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on us." Jesus' subsequent question to them in [Matthew 9:28](/matthew/9-28 "Matthew 9:28 - Jesus Tests Their Faith") ("Believe ye that I am able to do this?") and their affirmative response directly precede and set the stage for His touch and the profound declaration of [Matthew 9:29](/matthew/9-29 "Matthew 9:29 - Healing According to Faith"). This sequence emphasizes that their healing was not merely a passive reception but an active engagement of faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, blindness was a common affliction, often associated with sin or divine judgment, and was considered incurable by human means. Those afflicted were typically marginalized, relying on begging for survival. The title "Son of David" (used by the blind men in [Matthew 9:27](/matthew/9-27 "Matthew 9:27 - The Blind Men's Plea")) was a significant messianic title, indicating their recognition of Jesus' royal lineage and His expected role as the deliverer of Israel. This context underscores the radical nature of Jesus' healing, as it was a direct challenge to the prevailing understanding of such conditions and a powerful affirmation of His unique identity and authority. The act of touching the eyes, a deeply personal and often avoided contact with the blind, further highlights Jesus' compassion and willingness to engage directly with the outcast.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in this passage, and indeed throughout [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew/1 "The Gospel According to Matthew"), is the **demonstration of Jesus' messianic authority** through His words and deeds. Specifically, [Matthew 9:29](/matthew/9-29 "Matthew 9:29 - Healing According to Faith") contributes to the theme of **the power and necessity of faith**, showing it as a prerequisite for receiving God's miraculous intervention. It also highlights **divine compassion**, as Jesus responds directly to the suffering and pleas of the marginalized. Furthermore, the healing of the blind is a recurring motif in the Gospels, symbolizing the transition from spiritual darkness to light, a theme powerfully articulated by Jesus Himself in passages like [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). This miracle, therefore, serves not only as a physical restoration but also as a profound spiritual object lesson.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** This term (G4102) signifies not merely intellectual assent but a profound trust, conviction, and reliance upon God or a religious truth. In this context, it denotes the blind men's deep-seated belief in Jesus' ability and willingness to heal them, moving beyond mere hope to an active, expectant confidence that served as the channel for their miraculous restoration.
* **According (Greek, _katá'_):** This preposition (G2596) indicates a direct correspondence or proportion. Here, it establishes a clear causal link, meaning "in proportion to," "in accordance with," or "on the basis of" their faith. It highlights that the extent and nature of the miracle were directly aligned with the measure of their belief, not as a merit-based reward, but as a responsive divine act.
* **be it (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb (G1096), in its imperative form (_genēthētō_), functions as a divine fiat, meaning "let it come into being" or "let it happen." It conveys Jesus' authoritative command, bringing about the desired outcome instantly and effectively. This word underscores the immediate and powerful fulfillment of Jesus' declaration, confirming His absolute control over the physical realm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then touched he their eyes,"**: This action demonstrates Jesus' direct, personal engagement with the blind men. The physical touch signifies His compassion and willingness to interact with those considered unclean or marginalized. It is an act of intimate connection, conveying power and presence, and is often a precursor to healing in Jesus' ministry, emphasizing His tangible presence and authority.
* **"saying, 'According to your faith be it unto you.'"**: This declaration is the core of the verse, articulating the principle governing the healing. Jesus explicitly links the outcome to the men's faith, not His own power (which is absolute), but their receptivity. The phrase "be it unto you" is a powerful, authoritative statement, a divine command that brings about the desired reality, confirming that their belief was the necessary condition for the manifestation of His power.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 9:29 employs several significant literary devices. **Direct Discourse** is central, as Jesus' exact words are quoted, emphasizing the authority and directness of His declaration. This makes the principle of faith explicit and undeniable. The healing itself functions as **Symbolism**, where physical sight represents spiritual understanding and the ability to perceive divine truth. The restoration of vision signifies a move from darkness to light, a common biblical metaphor for salvation and enlightenment. Furthermore, the verse illustrates a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship: the men's faith (cause) directly leads to their healing (effect), underscoring the dynamic interplay between human belief and divine action. This cause-and-effect structure highlights Jesus' consistent method of engaging with individuals based on their receptivity to His power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:29 encapsulates a profound theological truth: while God's power is sovereign and absolute, He often chooses to work in conjunction with human faith. This is not to say that faith earns healing or that a lack of healing signifies a lack of faith, but rather that genuine trust in God's ability and willingness creates an open channel for His grace and power to flow. The healing of the blind men serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' messianic identity and His authority over all forms of human suffering, both physical and spiritual. It reinforces the theme that God responds to the earnest, believing heart, inviting us to cultivate a deeper reliance on Him in all circumstances.

* [Mark 10:52](/mark/10-52 "Mark 10:52 - Bartimaeus' Faith")
* [Luke 17:19](/luke/17-19 "Luke 17:19 - The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith Pleases God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:29 stands as an enduring invitation to examine the depth and quality of our own faith. Jesus' words challenge us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a vibrant, active trust in His power and character. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of humble reliance, believing that God is not only able but also willing to act on our behalf, according to His perfect will. While not every prayer for physical healing is answered in the same dramatic fashion, the principle remains: our faith is a vital component in our experience of God's transformative power, whether it manifests as physical restoration, spiritual insight, or guidance through life's challenges. It reminds us that our receptivity to God's grace often determines the extent to which we witness His work in our lives, urging us to persist in prayer with expectant hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "faith" truly mean in your daily walk with God, beyond intellectual belief?**
* **How might a deeper trust in God's character and power impact your current challenges or prayers?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need spiritual "sight" or clarity, and how can you cultivate the faith necessary to receive it?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that if I have enough faith, I will always be healed physically?**

Answer: While [Matthew 9:29](/matthew/9-29 "Matthew 9:29 - Healing According to Faith") clearly links faith to physical healing in this specific instance, it's crucial to understand this within the broader biblical narrative. The Bible teaches that God is sovereign and heals according to His perfect will, which may not always align with our immediate desires or expectations. There are instances where individuals of great faith were not physically healed (e.g., Paul's "thorn in the flesh" in [2 Corinthians 12:7-9](/2_corinthians/12-7-9 "2 Corinthians 12:7-9 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh")). This verse primarily highlights that faith is a necessary conduit for God's power when He chooses to act, not a formula to manipulate Him. It emphasizes the importance of a believing heart in approaching God, rather than guaranteeing a specific outcome in every situation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:29, with its emphasis on healing "according to your faith," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's redemptive work, which extends far beyond physical restoration to encompass spiritual sight and eternal life. Jesus, as the "Son of David" (as the blind men recognized), is the promised Messiah who came not only to heal physical ailments but, more profoundly, to open the eyes of those spiritually blind to the truth of God and His kingdom. Just as He restored physical vision, He offers spiritual enlightenment, transforming hearts and minds. His declaration in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life," perfectly encapsulates this broader fulfillment. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provided the ultimate healing for humanity's deepest ailment—sin—offering reconciliation with God and the promise of eternal life to all who place their faith in Him, as articulated in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). Thus, the physical healing in Matthew 9:29 serves as a powerful signpost, pointing to the greater spiritual healing and new life available through faith in Christ, the true source of all light and life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Matthew 9:22

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Mark 10:52

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Matthew 8:13

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Matthew 20:34

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

Matthew 8:6

And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

Matthew 8:7

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.