27And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." [9:28] When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." [9:29] Then he touched their eyes, saying, "Let it be done to you according to your faith." [9:30] And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, saying, "See that no one knows about it." [9:31] But they went out and spread the news about him through all that district. [9:32] As they were going away, behold, a mute man under the power of a demon was brought to him. [9:33] And when the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." [9:34] But the Pharisees said, "By the ruler of demons he casts out demons."
MAT 9:27-34
Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish culture, blindness and muteness were often seen as signs of divine disfavor or punishment, rooted in interpretations of texts like Exodus 4:11 and Leviticus 21:18. The blind men’s cry, 'Son of David,' invokes messianic expectations tied to Davidic lineage, suggesting they saw Jesus as a potential deliverer. Healing miracles were understood as signs of God’s favor and authority, often validating a prophet’s or messiah’s role. The term (eleēson) carried a plea for mercy deeply tied to covenantal loyalty, echoing psalms like Psalm 51:1. Jesus’ use of (embrimaomai) conveys a stern, emotional charge, possibly reflecting the cultural weight of secrecy around messianic identity to avoid premature confrontation with Roman or religious authorities. The mute man’s condition, described as (kōphos), could imply deafness or muteness, both linked to spiritual oppression. The demonized man’s healing aligns with Jewish and broader Greco-Roman beliefs in demonic influence as a cause of physical and mental affliction, reinforcing Jesus’ authority over spiritual forces.
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How other translations render this
MAT 9:27
- KJV
- And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
- BSB
- As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
- Koinōnos
- And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David.
MAT 9:28
- KJV
- And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
- BSB
- After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered.
- Koinōnos
- When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord.
MAT 9:29
- KJV
- Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
- BSB
- Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.”
- Koinōnos
- Then he touched their eyes, saying, "Let it be done to you according to your faith.
MAT 9:30
- KJV
- And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
- BSB
- And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one finds out about this!”
- Koinōnos
- And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, saying, "See that no one knows about it.
MAT 9:31
- KJV
- But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
- BSB
- But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout the land.
- Koinōnos
- But they went out and spread the news about him through all that district.
MAT 9:32
- KJV
- As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
- BSB
- As they were leaving, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- As they were going away, behold, a mute man under the power of a demon was brought to him.
MAT 9:33
- KJV
- And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
- BSB
- And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
- Koinōnos
- And when the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.
MAT 9:34
- KJV
- But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
- BSB
- But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons.”
- Koinōnos
- But the Pharisees said, "By the ruler of demons he casts out demons.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 9:27
- do have mercy on:The word translated 'do have mercy on' implies a deep, heartfelt compassion that moves one to action, often in response to another's distress or need.
MAT 9:30
- he strictly instructed:The phrase translated 'he strictly instructed' suggests a strong, almost stern warning, conveying a sense of deep emotion or even agitation in the one giving the instruction.
MAT 9:32
- mute [and]:The word translated 'mute' could refer to someone who is either deaf or unable to speak, or both, as the two conditions were often linked in ancient understanding.
- demonised.:The term translated 'demonised' describes someone under the influence or control of a demonic spirit, often resulting in physical or mental affliction.