29And as they were going out from Jericho, a large crowd followed him. [20:30] And look, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out saying, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" [20:31] And the crowd sternly warned them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, saying, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" [20:32] And Jesus stopped and called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?" [20:33] They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." [20:34] And moved with deep, gut-level compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed him.
MAT 20:29-34
The Blind Men by the Road
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Judea, blindness was not merely a physical condition but a social and economic liability. Blind individuals, like the two men in this passage, were often relegated to begging by the roadside, dependent on the charity of passersby. The term (blind) carried connotations of helplessness and exclusion from full participation in communal life. The crowd’s rebuke reflects a common societal attitude toward marginalized figures, silencing them to maintain order or avoid disruption. By addressing Jesus as 'Lord, Son of David,' the blind men invoke a messianic title rooted in Jewish expectation, signaling their recognition of Jesus’ authority and potential to enact divine restoration. Jesus’ response, marked by (deep compassion), contrasts sharply with the crowd’s dismissiveness, highlighting his willingness to engage with those deemed unworthy by societal standards. The healing itself, achieved through touch, aligns with Jewish and Greco-Roman understandings of physical contact as a conduit for power or blessing, restoring the men not only to sight but to social dignity.
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How other translations render this
MAT 20:29
- KJV
- And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
- BSB
- As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.
- Koinōnos
- And as they were going out from Jericho, a large crowd followed him.
MAT 20:30
- KJV
- And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
- BSB
- And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
- Koinōnos
- And look, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out saying, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!
MAT 20:31
- KJV
- And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
- BSB
- The crowd admonished them to be silent, but they cried out all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
- Koinōnos
- And the crowd sternly warned them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, saying, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!
MAT 20:32
- KJV
- And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
- BSB
- Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus stopped and called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?
MAT 20:33
- KJV
- They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
- BSB
- “Lord,” they answered, “let our eyes be opened.”
- Koinōnos
- They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened.
MAT 20:34
- KJV
- So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
- BSB
- Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him.
- Koinōnos
- And moved with deep, gut-level compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed him.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 20:30
- blind [men]:The word translated 'blind' here refers to someone completely without sight, often implying a state of helplessness and dependence on others for basic needs.
- do have mercy on:The term used here, translated as 'Lord,' was a respectful address acknowledging authority and power, often used for God or a master, indicating a plea to someone in a position to help.
MAT 20:31
- rebuked:The word translated 'rebuked' implies a strong warning or admonition, often with the intent to silence or prevent further action, rather than just a mild scolding.
MAT 20:34
- Having been moved with compassion:The phrase 'Having been moved with compassion' uses a word that literally refers to a deep, visceral feeling in one's gut or intestines, indicating a profound and heartfelt empathy.