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, you son of David.
two.
Matthew 9:27-31 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us…
Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Matthew 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Have.
Matthew 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
When they heard that Jesus was passing by,
The blind men’s awareness of Jesus' presence, despite their physical blindness, highlights their spiritual insight. This moment underscores the importance of faith coming by hearing, as noted in Romans 10:17. Jesus' reputation as a healer and teacher had spread, and even those marginalized by society were aware of His power and authority.
they cried out,
Their cry is an act of desperation and faith. In the cultural context, shouting in public was a bold move, especially for those considered lowly. This action reflects their belief that Jesus could change their circumstances, demonstrating a faith that is vocal and persistent.
“Lord, Son of David,
The title "Lord" acknowledges Jesus' authority and divinity. "Son of David" is a messianic title, recognizing Jesus as the promised descendant of David who would establish an everlasting kingdom, as prophesied in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. This acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah is significant, especially coming from those who were physically blind yet spiritually perceptive.
have mercy on us!”
Their plea for mercy indicates a recognition of their need for divine intervention. Mercy, in this context, is not just about physical healing but also encompasses forgiveness and restoration. This request aligns with the biblical theme of God’s compassion and willingness to respond to those who humbly seek Him, as seen throughout the Psalms and the teachings of Jesus.
- Matthew records two men, underscoring that the miracle was publicly verified by multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15).
- Unlike Mark 10:46 and Luke 18:35, which spotlight one individual, Matthew’s eyewitness account highlights the fullness of the scene.
- Scripture repeatedly shows Jesus’ compassion for the physically blind (Matthew 9:27–30; Isaiah 35:5), pointing to His power to heal spiritual blindness as well.
- Their position at the roadside pictures helplessness and marginalization (Luke 14:21).
- Beggars typically gathered where travelers passed, hoping for alms (Acts 3:2).
- Jesus “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10); even those society leaves by the wayside lie within His gracious path.
- Faith ignites at the moment of hearing (Romans 10:17).
- Though they could not see, their ears were tuned to news of the Savior’s approach—echoing Psalm 34:2, “the humble will hear and rejoice.”
- They seized the opportunity; procrastination would have meant remaining in darkness (2 Corinthians 6:2).
- Their immediate, loud plea mirrors the persistent widow of Luke 18:1–8 and the publican in Luke 18:13.
- Bold petition honors Christ’s open invitation: “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7).
- Opposition from the crowd (Matthew 20:31) could not silence them; true need outshouts human disapproval (Hebrews 4:16).
- “Lord” acknowledges Jesus’ divine authority (Philippians 2:11).
- “Son of David” is a messianic title rooted in God’s covenant promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Matthew 1:1), declaring their belief that Jesus is the promised King.
- “Have mercy” reveals humility and dependence, echoing Psalm 51:1 and Lamentations 3:22.
- Their prayer is brief, specific, and grounded in Scripture—an example for every believer (Luke 18:13–14).
Matthew 20:30 portrays two physically blind men who, by faith, recognize Jesus’ messianic identity and urgently appeal for His mercy. Their location on the roadside underscores human helplessness; their hearing and bold cry spotlight faith’s response to revealed truth. The verse teaches that Jesus welcomes those who call on Him, fulfills messianic prophecy, and delights to answer humble, persistent pleas for mercy.
(30) Behold, two blind men sitting.--Two difficulties present themselves on comparing this narrative with the accounts of the same or a similar event in St. Mark and St. Luke. (1.) The former agrees with St. Matthew as to time and place, but speaks of one blind man only, and gives his name as "Bartimseus, the son of Timaeus." (2.) The latter speaks of one only, and fixes the time of the miracle at our Lord's entry into Jericho. The probable explanation of (1) is, that of the two men, the one whom St. Mark names was the more conspicuous and better known, and of (2), that St. Luke, visiting the scene and having the spot pointed out to him outside the gates of the city, was left to conjecture, or was misinformed, as to the work having been done when our Lord drew nigh unto it. The fact that St. Luke alone records the incident connected with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) indicates either that he had been on the spot as an inquirer, or had sought for local sources of information. The assumption that he recorded a different miracle from St. Matthew and St. Mark is possible, but hardly probable, and certainly needless, except on a very rigid and a priori theory of inspiration. It is possible, again, that St. Luke's local inquiries may have made his narrative more accurate than the recollection on which St. Matthew's and St. Mark's rested.O Lord, thou son of David.--The blind men probably echoed the whispered murmurs of the crowd that was sweeping by, or, in any case, used (as did the woman of Canaan, Matthew 15:22) the most popular and widely diffused of the names of the Messiah. They were beggars, and they appealed to the pity of the King.
Verse 30. - Two blind men. St. Matthew is doubtless accurate in this statement. Tradition might easily drop one of the sufferers in the course of time, but it is not likely to have multiplied one into two. These sufferers had heard of the miracles of healing performed by Jesus in his various circuits, and especially of the late cure at Jerusalem of one born blind, and they were ready to believe in his power and to profit by his mercy. Heard. The beggars (Mark 10:46), debarred from sight, had their attention aroused by the tread of numerous feet, and the voices of the excited crowd, and naturally asked the bystanders to tell them what it all meant. When they heard that Jesus was there, the hope of relief immediately rushed into their mind. Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David! "O Lord" is only the usual respectful address of an inferior to one in higher station; but to call on Jesus as "Son of David" was virtually to acknowledge him to be the Messiah, who, as old prophets foretold, was to open the eyes of the blind (Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5). The same cry had been raised by the blind men who were cured earlier in the ministry (Matthew 9:27), and by the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matthew 15:22, where see note), How these men had learned the truth we know not; they could not see or read for themselves; their faith must have come by hearing, and the inward illumination of the Holy Spirit.