In the Fulness of Time/Part 52

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Power over Darkness: Two Blind Men Receive Sight. Matthew 9:27-31

They Claimed His Mercy as Messiah. 9:27

Matthew 9:27 “And when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed him, crying and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.”

Except for the account of healing blind Bartimaeus and his companion in Matthew 20:30- 34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43, the Lord Jesus is addressed as “Son of David” in Mat­thew only, where the title is used seven times. The obvious reason is that Matthew’s em­phasis is decidedly on Jesus as the Messiah/King. The list includes:

1. Matthew 9:27—as quoted above, healing the two blind men.
2. Matthew 12:23—healing of a demon-possessed blind and dumb man; there, the people “were amazed and said, Is not this the Son of David?”
3. Matthew 15:22—the Syrophoenician woman said, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.”
4. Matthew 20:30—Two blind men cried out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Thou Son of David.”
5. Matthew 20:31—It is repeated word for word by the same men.
6. Matthew 21:9—At His entry into Jerusalem, the multitudes cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”
7. Matthew 21:15—Soon after His Entry, when He cleansed the Temple, the children were saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”

We should not forget that Isaiah prophesied specifically that when the kingdom of heaven comes on earth, not only will the desert “blossom like the rose” (Isaiah 35:1) but the people “shall see the glory of the LORD… he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing” (Isaiah 35:2-6). Each time Jesus performed one of these miracles He was proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that He was the Messiah, their King; indeed, He was God manifest in the flesh; and this is exactly what these two blind men were claiming from Jesus when they said He was the Lord, the Son of David!

From the seven usages of this title it can be imagined that this would disturb the Phari­sees greatly so that they would increase their opposition to Jesus.

They Believed in His Mighty Power to Heal. 9:28

Matthew 9:28 “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.”

They are now away from the multitudes, inside the house, when Jesus asks the ques‑tion, “Do ye believe I am able to do this?” Their answer is brief but firm, “Yea, Lord.” If therewas any possible doubt of their faith before this, it disappeared by this direct affirmation of His deity; He is not only Messiah, He is the Omnipotent LORD! They Received His Miraculous Help. 9:29-30a

Matthew 9:29-30a “Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it unto you. And their eyes were opened.”

Jesus used at least five different methods in giving sight to the blind; more will be said of this at Matthew 20:39-34. Here, He used a simple touch and said, “According to your faith, be it unto you.” On page 233 of his commentary, Carson explains that this phrase, “does not mean ‘in proportion to your faith’ (so much faith, so much sight) but rather ‘since you believe, your request is granted.’” There are two aorist forms, “be it unto you” (genetheto humin) and then in verse 30, that their eyes “were opened” (acochthesan) both of which indicate immediate and complete restoration of their sight!

They Proclaimed His Matchless Fame. 9:30b-31

Matthew 9:30b-31 “And Jesus strictly charged them saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread his fame in all that country.”

Jesus used a very strong word (enebrimesato) “warned them sternly” so that no one would know. Just what did He mean by this? Certainly people would learn that two blind men of their acquaintance could now see! Jesus probably had reference to the specific claim that He was the Son of David. But then, if He was seeking to prove His Messiahship, why not tell everyone? Perhaps this can be associated with such statements as John 2:4 “Mine hour is not yet come,” or John 6:15 “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain alone.” True, Jesus was presenting Himself as Messiah/King, but He had not yet completed His proofs, nor would He ever have consented to be drawn into a forced kingship by a crowd whose efforts were not sanctioned by unrepentant leaders of Israel!

In spite of His warning, the two men spread abroad the news of His matchless compas­sion and His power in giving them sight. Some fine day, in the fulness of time, the leaders of Israel will receive Him as King, when “All Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob” (Romans 11:26).

Read Part 53