Matthew 20:34
And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus' compassion, stirred by their cries, immediately opened their eyes, not just to the world around them, but to Him, leading them to follow in His path. This immediate response and subsequent discipleship highlight that true healing isn't just physical restoration, but a profound reorientation toward Christ Himself.
As Jesus and his disciples are leaving Jericho, two blind men, hearing that Jesus is passing by, cry out for mercy. Despite attempts by the crowd to silence them, they persist in calling out to Jesus as "Son of David," showing their faith that he is the Messiah. Jesus stops, calls them, and asks what they want, to which they respond by asking for their sight to be restored.
When Jesus saw the blind men, it wasn't just a performance of power, but a deep, personal response. What moved Him?
The text highlights Jesus' compassion (Greek: splagchnistheis). This isn't a mild sympathy; it's a deep, gut-level stirring of pity and empathy.
These men didn't just receive their sight; they immediately did something else significant. What does this tell us about true healing?
The immediate aftermath of their healing is profound: '...and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.' This isn't just about physical restoration; it's about a transformation that leads to devotion.
Understand the original words
splagchnizomai · Greek Verb
Deep compassion or gut-level sympathy, often resulting in concrete action to alleviate someone’s suffering. It describes the divine heart of Jesus moved by human misery.
akoloutheō · Greek Verb
A verb implying active commitment and discipleship. It means to go after someone, walk in their way, and adhere to their teachings and lifestyle.
This event occurs as Jesus is nearing Jerusalem for His final Passover. The healing of these blind men near Jericho, a city with a history of both destruction and rebuilding, highlights Jesus' compassion and power as He moves toward His ultimate sacrifice and the establishment of His spiritual kingdom.
Late 8th century BC
Jericho and the Galilean-Syrian Road
Jericho, a significant city in the Jordan Valley, was a vital point on the trade route connecting Galilee to Judea and beyond. Its proximity to the Jordan River made it a strategic location.
c. 30 BC
Herod the Great Rebuilds Jericho
After its destruction, Jericho was rebuilt by Herod the Great, who established new structures and gardens, making it a flourishing city again. This brought renewed importance to the area.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Journey Towards Jerusalem
Jesus was traveling from Galilee towards Jerusalem, likely for one of the major Jewish festivals. His route would have taken him through or near Jericho.
c. AD 27-30
The Healing of the Blind Men
As Jesus passed by Jericho, two blind men cried out to Him for mercy, seeking healing. Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and they immediately received their sight.
This Old Testament prophecy foretells the very signs of the Messiah's coming, including the opening of the eyes of the blind, directly mirroring Jesus' act of compassion.
John 9:39Jesus explicitly states the purpose of His coming was to bring sight to the blind, which perfectly aligns with the miracle He performed here in Matthew 20.
Luke 18:42This parallel account emphasizes Jesus' compassion and directly quotes Him saying, 'Receive your sight; your faith has made you well,' highlighting the role of faith in receiving healing.
Acts 26:18Paul recounts his own spiritual transformation as being sent to open the eyes of Gentiles and turn them from darkness to light, a powerful echo of spiritual blindness being healed.
Romans 10:14This passage questions how people can believe in someone they haven't heard of, and how they can hear without a preacher, underscoring the importance of encountering Jesus for spiritual sight.
henryMatthew 20:29-34: "And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him."
20:29-34 It is good for those under the same trial, or infirmity of body or mind, to join in prayer to God for relief, that they may quicken and encourage one another. There is mercy enough in Christ for all that ask. They were earnest in prayer. They cried out as men in earnest. Cold desires beg denials. They were humble in prayer, casting themselves upon, and referring themselves cheerfully to, the Mediator…
bengelMatthew 20:34: "So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him."
Matthew 20:34 . Σπλαγχνισθεὶς , being moved with compassion ) The compassion of Jesus was aroused by every human misery.— ἠκολούθησαν Αὐτῷ , they followed Him ) with the multitudes mentioned in ch. Matthew 21:8 , and without any one to lead them.[898] [898] Sc. as formerly, when they were blind.—ED.
Jesus' compassion, stirred by their cries, immediately opened their eyes, not just to the world around them, but to Him, leading them to follow in His path. This immediate response and subsequent discipleship highlight that true healing isn't just physical restoration, but a profound reorientation toward Christ Himself.
As Jesus and his disciples are leaving Jericho, two blind men, hearing that Jesus is passing by, cry out for mercy. Despite attempts by the crowd to silence them, they persist in calling out to Jesus as "Son of David," showing their faith that he is the Messiah. Jesus stops, calls them, and asks what they want, to which they respond by asking for their sight to be restored.
As Jesus and his disciples are leaving Jericho, two blind men, hearing that Jesus is passing by, cry out for mercy. Despite attempts by the crowd to silence them, they persist in calling out to Jesus as "Son of David," showing their faith that he is the Messiah. Jesus stops, calls them, and asks what they want, to which they respond by asking for their sight to be restored.
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c. AD 30
The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Following the healing, the two men, now able to see, followed Jesus. They may have joined the crowd that accompanied Jesus into Jerusalem, celebrating His arrival.
"And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him." — Jesus' compassion, stirred by their cries, immediately opened their eyes, not just to the world around them, but to Him, leading them to follow in His path. This immediate response and subsequent d…
