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Explanation for:
Matthew
20
:
30
And behold two blind men sitting by the way side, heard that Jesus passed by, and they cried out, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In Jericho, numerous bandits were known to attack and injure travelers heading to and from Jerusalem. In response, the Lord journeyed to Jericho accompanied by His disciples, aiming to rescue the afflicted from their anguish and to gather a considerable assembly around Him. As they prepared to depart from Jericho, a substantial multitude followed Him. Had He chosen to stay exclusively in Jerusalem and not humbled Himself to connect with the less fortunate, the crowd would have remained lost in darkness and the shadow of death even until now. \\n\\nBy the roadside were two blind men. The term “blind” refers to those who had yet to grasp the truth expressed in the scripture, \\"In Thy light we shall see light\\" (Ps. 36:10). They occupied their spot along the way, appearing knowledgeable of the law, yet they had not yet encountered the Way, who is Christ. Some interpret them as representative of the Pharisees and Sadducees, while others see them as encompassing both Old and New Testament believers, since both groups, in their adherence to the written and natural law respectively, remained in blindness absent the knowledge of Christ.\\n\\nThese blind men, unable to see for themselves, recognized the cheers of joy surrounding Christ and proclaimed Him as the Son of David. If the two blind men are not to be specifically linked to the Jewish community, the ensuing statement about the crowd silencing them should then be viewed in the context of the Gentiles, whom the Apostle warns against arrogance regarding their inclusion in salvation, as noted in Romans 11:16-21. They should not envy the salvation afforded to the initial chosen people.\\n\\n\\"Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!\\" Despite attempts from the crowd to quiet them, the blind men persist, intensifying their cries, displaying their deep yearning for the true light."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Observe the path the Saviour takes to Jerusalem, reflecting on where He was beforehand; this deserves our focused contemplation. Why did He not proceed immediately to Galilee but chose to pass through Samaria instead? Let us not dwell too long on such curiosities; those who delve deeply will find that the Evangelist John provides adequate insight and justification for this journey. Turning to our own reflections, we note the previously mentioned blind men, whose insight surpassed that of many sighted individuals. Though they had no leader and could not see the Lord approaching, their earnest desire to reach Him compelled them to cry out. Even when the bystanders attempted to silence them, their cries only grew louder. This exemplifies a resolute spirit, where obstacles serve only to propel one towards their goal. Christ did not silence them; instead, He allowed their fervor to shine, indicating their worthiness of healing. He did not question them with, “Do you believe?” as He often did with others, for their cries and eagerness to approach Him already manifested their faith. \\n\\nTake heed, dear friends, that regardless of our perceived insignificance or rejection, approaching God with genuine diligence empowers us to ask for whatever we need. Notice how these blind men, lacking even one apostolic supporter and facing prohibitions from many, transcended barriers to come directly to Jesus. The Evangelist does not testify to their lives serving as a basis for their boldness; rather, their singular diligence sufficed. Let us also strive to emulate these blind men. Even if God seems slow to bestow His gifts, and even if many dissuade us from the journey of prayer, let us remain steadfast. In doing so, we especially gain God’s favor. Moreover, observe that neither poverty nor blindness, nor the belief that they would go unheard, nor the discouragement from others could deter them. This is the nature of a passionate and persevering soul!"},{"author-name":"Epiphanius of Pavia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":6,"exegesis-text":"In the book of Genesis, we learn that the righteous Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Alongside them, he entered the ark during the flood and set forth. From these sons emerged various nations spread across the earth. Notably, Abraham, the patriarch, descended from Noah’s first son, Shem, from whom the Jewish people arose, both for good and for ill. The other two sons gave rise to additional nations. Thus, the two blind men symbolize the two sons of Noah. They heard Jesus as He walked by. It becomes evident that the Gentiles came to believe in the Savior not through sight, as the Jews did, but through hearing. To pass by signifies a transition from one group to another. He transitioned from Jew to Gentile, as the Lord Himself states, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, that they which do not see may see, and they which see may become blind’ (John 9:39)."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The blind men learned of the Lord through the spoken word, and when they realized He was nearby, they seized the moment. They held a firm belief that Jesus, who was of the lineage of David in his earthly form, had the power to restore their sight. With intense faith, they did not remain quiet; instead, they shouted more fervently when others attempted to silence them. Consequently, the Lord did not inquire if they believed in Him, but simply what their desire was, ensuring that no one would assume the blind men sought something other than what they truly needed. His question further indicated that they were not calling out for monetary aid, but rather for healing. He restored their sight through His touch, demonstrating that every part of His sacred body is imbued with life-giving and divine power. Although Luke and Mark refer to a singular blind man, they do not contradict Matthew; instead, they highlight the more well-known individual. Luke recounts that the Lord healed the blind man prior to entering Jericho, while Mark states it was after leaving the city; Matthew, preferring a succinct account, refers to both occurrences simultaneously. The blind men symbolize the Gentiles who placed their faith in Christ: they were metaphorically healed by Him along their journey. Christ’s primary mission was not solely for the Gentiles, but for the children of Israel. Just as the blind came to know Christ through what they heard, the Gentiles also believed in Him through the message they received. Those who tried to silence the blind men, failing to proclaim the name of Jesus, represent the persecutors of the faithful. They aimed to stifle the voice of the Church, yet it proclaimed the name of Christ all the more boldly. This is why the Church experienced healing: it recognized the brilliance of truth and began to follow Christ, emulating His example in its mission."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Those positioned along the way exemplify the tradition of begging for alms from those who pass by, particularly from those who revere God. The phrase \\"Son of David\\" signifies the Messiah, as referenced in Matthew 22:42 and Matthew 1:1. The plea \\"Have mercy on us\\" alone demonstrates the depth and intensity of their faith in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah capable of aiding them in their suffering through His divine strength."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As they sat by the road, two blind men cried out for alms, one of whom was named Bartimaeus according to St. Mark. When they heard that JESUS was approaching, stirred by the commotion of the crowd, they recognized Him as the renowned Miracle Worker from Nazareth. Fueled by their faith, they began to call out fervently: “PLEASE have mercy on us, have mercy on us, O LORD, SON OF DAVID!” This heartfelt plea revealed their genuine belief in Jesus as the foretold Messiah and the esteemed Descendant of David. The blind men were aware that the Pharisees and scribes had opposed the Lord, and that their open declaration might lead to persecution. Nevertheless, they chose to ignore the potential threat, even as the crowd tried to silence them."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The restoration of sight for the blind in Jericho Following the telling of a parable, Jesus continued His journey toward Jerusalem, where the healing of the blind men occurred, as described by the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Since their narratives differ slightly, it is important to present their accounts in full: In Matthew 20:29-30, it states, “As they were leaving Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold, two blind men who were sitting by the roadside, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, began to cry out, ‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David.’” In Mark 10:46, it says, “They came to Jericho. And as He was going out of Jericho with His disciples and a multitude of people, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind man, was sitting by the roadside, asking for alms.” Luke 18:35 mentions, “As He approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside, asking for alms.” Therefore, Matthew and Mark indicate that the healing occurred as they were leaving Jericho, while Luke suggests it happened at the entrance, indicating that Jesus was approaching Jericho. Bishop Michael explains that the Greek term \\"eggidzein,\\" applied by Luke, means to be near something from any side; thus, Luke's account can also be understood as occurring when He was near Jericho. This indicates no conflict with Matthew and Mark regarding the miracle's location. \\n\\nThe remaining discrepancy concerns the accounts of the number of blind men. Matthew notes that Jesus healed two blind men, while Mark and Luke refer to just one. Similar differences were observed in their accounts of the demoniacs in the land of the Gadarene, drawing comparisons to John Chrysostom’s interpretations. Here too, we find that there were indeed two blind men, as stated by Matthew, although one, notably Bartimaeus, gained recognition, which might explain why Mark referred to him specifically. It is plausible that Bartimaeus’s loud cries overshadowed his companion's pleas in the memory of those who later recounted the event to the Evangelists Mark and Luke. Their silence regarding the second blind man does not diminish the validity of Matthew's account of there being two. \\n\\nFrom the viewpoint of the Evangelists, the miracle performed by Jesus was significant, emphasizing the event itself rather than the specific number of those healed; the volume of miraculous healings was so great that counting them was unnecessary. Thus, it is clear that as Jesus departed Jericho, the two blind men, sitting by the roadside and begging for alms, heard the commotion of the surrounding crowd and inquired about what was happening. Upon learning that Jesus was approaching, the blind men, having certainly heard of His miraculous deeds and some recognizing Him as the awaited Messiah, seized the moment to seek healing and called out loudly: \\"Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!\\""},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As Christ and His followers made their way toward the city, a significant miracle occurred at its gates for the sake of humanity in distress. Two beggars were positioned there, seeking charity from those who passed by, and one of them was named Bartimaeus. They anticipated a generous response from the worshippers who journeyed past them, yet they were unaware of the remarkable blessing that awaited them. Upon hearing the unusual commotion of an excited crowd, they recognized that Jesus of Nazareth was approaching, a figure whose miraculous deeds were well-known throughout the region. This realization sparked a hopeful longing within them, and, disregarding all other appeals, they called out to Him, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”"},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As the Lord departed from Jericho, he performed a miracle of compassion, just as he had when he entered the city. By the roadside sat two blind men, one of whom was Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, begging for help. Upon hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was approaching, they shouted, \\"Son of David, Jesus, have mercy! Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!\\" The crowd tried to silence them, but they only called out more loudly, \\"Son of David, have mercy!\\""},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The narratives provided by the evangelists present two distinctions regarding this event. First, Matthew refers to two blind men being healed, whereas Mark and Luke mention only one. Second, while both Matthew and Mark indicate that the event occurred as Jesus was departing from the city, Luke asserts it took place upon entering. It is evident that there were indeed two men healed; however, in the early church tradition, one man, Bartimaeus, is notably highlighted in Mark's account. This has led to the story often being linked to Bartimaeus alone in apostolic times. The second distinction can be clarified by considering that the event may have unfolded across two separate moments: initially, the blind men called out to the Lord for healing as He entered the city, but Jesus chose not to respond right away, testing their faith. Later, as He was leaving the city, the men cried out once more, leading the Lord to call them to Him and grant healing.\\n\\nThe evangelists provide complementary details concerning the healing itself. Upon hearing a crowd approaching, the blind men inquired about the commotion. Upon learning it was Jesus of Nazareth, they began to cry out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” However, the crowd urged them to be quiet, likely wishing to hear Jesus’ teachings without distraction. Undeterred, the blind men continued to call out to the Lord, pleading for His mercy. At that moment, the Lord summoned them. Those nearby encouraged the blind men, saying, “Take courage; get up, He is calling you.” The assurance that Jesus was calling them inspired confidence that they would receive healing, prompting them to discard their outer garments to run more swiftly to their Savior. Once informed of their request, Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Instantly, the blind men received their sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As He journeyed through Jericho, accompanied by a throng of followers, the Lord and His disciples were about six hours from Jerusalem. As they neared the city, a voice was lifted up, shouting, \\"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!\\" This cry came from a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. He boldly addressed Jesus with the exalted title of Son of David, which signified the Messiah. The onlookers, interpreting the Messiah's greatness in their limited understanding, urged the blind man to cease his persistent pleas. However, the blind man would not be silenced, continuing to call out, \\"Son of David, have mercy on me.\\" Ultimately, Jesus halted, instructed that the man be brought to Him, and upon inquiring about his needs, restored his sight."}]}
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