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,1 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.
Section Overview
Matthew 20:29–34 begins Jesus’ transition from training his disciples (chs. 14–20) to his ministry in Jerusalem (chs. 21–28), as Jesus joins pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem via Jericho. This passage also connects Jesus’ planned compassion, his giving of his life for many, and his spontaneous compassion, as he hears the cry of two blind men.
Matthew mentions two blind men; Mark and Luke, one. Matthew is often more precise numerically (cf. 8:28; Mark 5:2; Luke 8:27). Perhaps one man is louder or more prominent than the other. Mark 10:46 mentions the leader’s name, Bartimaeus. Minor variations in the details of accounts are normal when witnesses write separately.
Section Outline
VI. Training the Disciples among Crowds and Leaders (14:1–20:34) . . .
W. Transition: Healing Two Blind Men on the Way to Jerusalem (20:29–34)
Jesus travels from Jericho to Jerusalem (20:29). He passes two blind men, who, upon learning he is there, cry for mercy (vv. 30–31). He hears, touches, and heals them, and they follow him (vv. 32–34).
Response
These blind men illustrate the life of a disciple in three ways. They call on Jesus, confident that he has power and authority to heal. They let no one deter them from seeking Jesus. And once he heals them, they immediately follow him. The passage reveals Jesus’ character too. He is motivated by mercy, yet he acts on his own authority, in his own power.
Unlike the crowds, who think Jesus should focus on his mission rather than two nobodies by the roadside, Jesus attends both to his grand mission and to the needs of the weak and powerless. This passage is a strong warrant for the mercy ministries of God’s people, individually and as a church.