Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus didn't just heal them because they believed; he affirmed that their faith itself was the channel through which God's power flowed, directly shaping the extent of the healing they received. His words emphasize that their trust wasn't just a prerequisite, but an active component that determined the fulfillment of the miracle. This highlights how deeply God values and works through our faith.
Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just healed a woman and raised a girl from the dead, and now, as he's leaving, two blind men follow him, crying out for mercy. He asks them if they believe he can heal them, and after they affirm their faith, he touches their eyes, linking the miracle directly to their belief. This encounter immediately precedes another miracle where Jesus heals a demon-possessed mute man, showcasing more of his power and prompting wonder from the crowds, though the Pharisees offer a blasphemous explanation.
Ever wonder if your faith is 'enough'? Jesus' words here reveal that He doesn't just acknowledge faith, He responds to it.
When Jesus touched the eyes of the two blind men, He declared, 'According to your faith let it be done to you.' This wasn't a limitation on His power, but an affirmation of theirs.
Faith as a Conduit
Jesus' power to heal was absolute. He could have restored their sight with a single word, as He did in other instances. But by touching them and speaking these words, He connected their healing directly to their belief. Their faith acted as a conduit, allowing His divine power to flow into their lives and bring about the restoration they believed was possible.
Not a Transaction, But a Relationship
This isn't to say that our faith causes God's action in a transactional sense, as if we earn miracles. Rather, Jesus is highlighting the profound connection He desires between Himself and us. He wants us to believe in His power and His willingness to act. Their acknowledgment of Him as the 'Son of David'—a messianic title—showed they understood He was the promised deliverer with the power to bring healing and restoration.
It's easy to believe God can do amazing things. But do we believe He wants to do them for us? Jesus probed deeper than just power.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus didn't just ask the blind men if they believed He could heal them; the context implies He was seeking confirmation of their belief in His willingness and compassion.
Beyond Bare Ability
True faith isn't merely an intellectual assent to God's omnipotence. It encompasses a trust in His character – His love, His mercy, and His desire to bless His people. The blind men had already proclaimed Jesus as the 'Son of David,' a title laden with expectation of messianic mercy. Jesus' question was likely designed to ensure their belief extended to His compassionate heart, not just His raw power.
Embracing God's Heart
When we approach God, our faith should embrace not only His ability to meet our needs but also His fatherly desire to do so. Believing God is able is crucial, but believing God is good and wants to help us is the heart of childlike trust.
Did Jesus' words mean His power was restricted by their faith? Absolutely not! He used their faith to reveal His grace.
It's vital to understand that Jesus' statement, 'According to your faith,' was not a ceiling on His divine ability, but an echo of the belief He encountered.
Affirmation, Not Limitation
The scholars point out that Jesus' words were an affirmation, not a limitation. He wasn't saying, 'I can only do as much as you believe.' Instead, He was saying, 'Because you believe I can do this, I am doing it for you.' His touch and words were a gracious response to their expressed trust. The miracle's extent was defined by their belief in His power, not by the limits of His power itself.
Divine Response to Human Trust
This highlights a beautiful dynamic in our relationship with God: He meets us where we are. He honors our trust, even when it's imperfect, and uses it as the means through which He displays His magnificent power and love. Their faith didn't empower Jesus; it opened them to receive the full measure of His already abundant power.
Understand the original words
pistis · Greek Noun
The conviction of the truth of something or a firm reliance upon God. It is the active principle of responding to God's revelation, serving as the channel through which His power is received.
This passage shows a similar principle where Jesus blesses the centurion's faith, stating 'Go; be it done for you as you have believed.' It reinforces the idea that faith is a key element in receiving God's work.
Mark 9:23-24When a father asks Jesus to heal his son, Jesus responds with, 'All things are possible for one who believes.' The father's immediate cry, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' highlights the struggle and nature of faith that Jesus acknowledges.
Hebrews 11:6This foundational verse in the Hall of Faith states, 'for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.' It underscores that faith is essential for any genuine connection with God and receiving His blessings.
Ephesians 2:8-9This passage speaks about salvation being a gift of God received through faith, not by works. It connects the concept of faith as the means by which God's grace is accessed, similar to how the blind men received their sight.
clarkeMatthew 9:29: "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."
According to your faith - See on Matthew 8:13 (note).
barnesMatthew 9:29: "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."
Then touched he their eyes - Simply to indicate that the power proceeded from him. Compare Matthew 8:3 . According to your faith ... - That is, you have "believed" that you could be healed, be healed accordingly. Your faith covered the whole extent of the work respecting my power and the absolute restoration to sight, and that power is exerted accordingly, and your sight is restored. So with the sinner.…
Jesus didn't just heal them because they believed; he affirmed that their faith itself was the channel through which God's power flowed, directly shaping the extent of the healing they received. His words emphasize that their trust wasn't just a prerequisite, but an active component that determined the fulfillment of the miracle. This highlights how deeply God values and works through our faith.
Jesus has just healed a woman and raised a girl from the dead, and now, as he's leaving, two blind men follow him, crying out for mercy. He asks them if they believe he can heal them, and after they affirm their faith, he touches their eyes, linking the miracle directly to their belief. This encounter immediately precedes another miracle where Jesus heals a demon-possessed mute man, showcasing more of his power and prompting wonder from the crowds, though the Pharisees offer a blasphemous explanation.
Jesus has just healed a woman and raised a girl from the dead, and now, as he's leaving, two blind men follow him, crying out for mercy. He asks them if they believe he can heal them, and after they affirm their faith, he touches their eyes, linking the miracle directly to their belief. This encounter immediately precedes another miracle where Jesus heals a demon-possessed mute man, showcasing more of his power and prompting wonder from the crowds, though the Pharisees offer a blasphemous explanation.
"Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.”" — Jesus didn't just heal them because they believed; he affirmed that their faith itself was the channel through which God's power flowed, directly shaping the extent of the healing they received. Hi…
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Last reviewed October 2026