And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus declares, "Your faith has saved you," not just "made you well." This emphasizes that the man's healing was more than just physical restoration; it was an act of salvation that brought him into a right relationship with God. His faith, in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and boldly calling out to Him, opened him to a deeper, spiritual healing as well.
And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus approaches Jericho, a blind man hears the commotion of a crowd and learns it's Jesus passing by. Despite others trying to silence him, he desperately cries out for mercy, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of David. Jesus stops, calls for him, and asks what he desires, leading to this moment of healing and affirmation of the man's faith.
Jesus tells the man, 'Your faith has made you well.' But what does 'well' mean here, and how does faith play a role?
This miracle isn't just about restoring physical vision; it's about a deeper kind of healing.
A Complete Restoration
The word translated 'made you well' can also mean 'saved you' or 'made you whole.' While the immediate, obvious healing was the return of sight, Jesus often connected physical healing with spiritual restoration. The blind man's faith led him to Jesus, and through Jesus, he received not just physical sight but also a wholeness that encompasses his entire being.
The Heart of Faith
Jesus highlights the man's faith, not just his desperate cry. This faith wasn't just a passive hope; it was active and persistent, driving him to seek Jesus despite opposition. It's this active trust in Jesus' power and compassion that truly 'saves' or makes him 'well.'
The blind man didn't give up when people tried to silence him. What does his determination teach us about approaching God?
This encounter vividly shows the power of unwavering faith in the face of obstacles.
Crying Out Louder
When Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man heard the commotion and asked what was happening. Upon learning it was Jesus, he began to cry out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' (Luke 18:38). Even when the crowd rebuked him, telling him to be quiet, he cried out even louder (Luke 18:39). His need was desperate, and his faith wouldn't be silenced.
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Not Letting Obstacles Win
This persistence is a hallmark of true faith. The world, and sometimes even well-meaning people around us, can try to discourage us from seeking Jesus or from praying persistently for our needs. But this man's example shows us that our faith should be so strong that it overcomes opposition and continues to cry out to Jesus for mercy and help.
Understand the original words
pistis · Greek Noun
The mental and spiritual act of trusting, relying on, and committing oneself to God and His promises in Jesus Christ. It is the instrument through which God's grace is received.
sesoken · Greek Verb
Derived from 'sozo,' it means to save, rescue, heal, or make whole. In this context, it refers to both physical healing and spiritual salvation or restoration.
The event occurs as Jesus is approaching Jericho, a detail noted by Luke, while Matthew and Mark place it during His departure. This slight variation highlights that the core message is Jesus' power and the blind man's faith, not the precise timing or the number of blind men healed.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus' public ministry, including His journeys through Galilee and Judea, attracts large crowds and growing opposition from religious leaders.
Early 1st century AD
Journey Towards Jerusalem
Jesus is making His way towards Jerusalem for His final Passover. This is a significant and well-known journey, drawing attention wherever He goes.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Approaches Jericho
As Jesus and His large entourage draw near to the city of Jericho, a blind man is begging by the roadside. The crowds are so significant that they make hearing difficult.
Early 1st century AD
The Blind Man Cries Out
Hearing Jesus is passing by, the blind man cries out to Him as 'Son of David,' a Messianic title, demonstrating his faith and desire for healing.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Responds and Heals
Jesus stops, calls for the man, and asks what he desires. Upon hearing the man's request to regain his sight, Jesus heals him, affirming, 'Your faith has made you well.'
Early 1st century AD
The Man Follows Jesus
Immediately regaining his sight, the formerly blind man follows Jesus, glorifying God, showing the transformative power of faith and the miracle.
This passage recounts the same healing, emphasizing the man's persistent faith and Jesus' affirmation that 'your faith has made you well,' directly mirroring Luke's account.
Matthew 9:22Here, Jesus tells a woman who touched his cloak, 'Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well,' drawing a parallel between different instances where faith is the direct cause of healing.
Luke 7:50In this instance, Jesus tells the forgiven woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace,' highlighting that 'saving' through faith extends beyond physical healing to spiritual well-being.
Hebrews 11:1This foundational passage defines faith as 'the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,' providing the theological framework for understanding how the blind man's conviction led to his healing.
calvinLuke 18:35-43: "And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:"
- And while they were departing from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30. And, lo, two blind men sitting near the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried aloud, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31. And the multitude rebuked them, that they might be silent; but they cried out the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son…
pulpitLuke 18:42: "And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee."
Verse 42. - And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight. "Magnifique aumone du Christ" (Pressense'). Thy faith hath saved thee. The American Longfellow has united the cry for mercy of the blind, the kindly sympathizing words of the disciples (reported by St. Mark), and the gift of Jesus Christ, in his exquisite poem of 'Blind Bartimaeus.' Those mighty voices three -'Ἰησοῦ ἐλέησόν με!Θαρ´ρσει ἕγειρε φωνεῖ σὲΝΛ´Ἡ…
Jesus declares, "Your faith has saved you," not just "made you well." This emphasizes that the man's healing was more than just physical restoration; it was an act of salvation that brought him into a right relationship with God. His faith, in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and boldly calling out to Him, opened him to a deeper, spiritual healing as well.
As Jesus approaches Jericho, a blind man hears the commotion of a crowd and learns it's Jesus passing by. Despite others trying to silence him, he desperately cries out for mercy, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of David. Jesus stops, calls for him, and asks what he desires, leading to this moment of healing and affirmation of the man's faith.
As Jesus approaches Jericho, a blind man hears the commotion of a crowd and learns it's Jesus passing by. Despite others trying to silence him, he desperately cries out for mercy, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of David. Jesus stops, calls for him, and asks what he desires, leading to this moment of healing and affirmation of the man's faith.
"And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”" — Jesus declares, "Your faith has saved you," not just "made you well." This emphasizes that the man's healing was more than just physical restoration; it was an act of salvation that brought him int…
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Last reviewed October 2026