MPV Commentary

Two Blind Men and a Dumb Demoniac Healed.

These two miracles are recorded by Matthew alone.

Two Blind Men Healed (Mt 9:27-31).

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us." It's remarkable that in the only other recorded case where the blind applied to Jesus for their sight and obtained it, they addressed Him repeatedly by this one Messianic title. Their faith likely fastened onto great Messianic promises like Isaiah 35:5, which says, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened." This appeal to Him as the Consolation of Israel would have fallen with great weight on Jesus' ears.

When He came into the house, the blind men followed Him and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe I am able to do this?" They replied, "Yes, Lord." Doubtless, our Lord's design was not only to test their faith but also to deepen it, raise their expectation of a cure, and prepare them to receive it. Their cordial acknowledgment of His power to heal them shows how entirely that object was gained.

Then He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith be it unto you." This means they would carry about with them in their restored vision a gracious seal of the faith which drew it from their compassionate Lord. And their eyes were opened. Jesus then strictly charged them, but they, when they departed, spread abroad His fame in all that country.

A Dumb Demoniac Healed (Mt 9:32-34).

As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a dumb man possessed with a demon. The dumbness was not natural but the effect of the possession. When the demon was cast out, the dumb man spoke. The particulars in this case are not given; the object being simply to record the instantaneous restoration of the natural faculties on the removal of the malignant oppression of them.

The multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen in Israel." They likely referred not only to this case but also to all those miraculous displays of healing power which seemed to promise a new era in the history of Israel. This language indicates their inclination to regard Him as the promised Messiah.

But the Pharisees said, "He casts out devils through the prince of the devils." This seems to be the first muttering of a theory of such miracles which soon became a fixed mode of calumniating them—a theory which would be ridiculous if it weren't melancholy as an outburst of the darkest malignity.

Mt 9:35-10:5. Third Galilean Circuit—Mission of the Twelve Apostles.

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and disease among the people. The language here is identical with that used in describing the first circuit (Mt 4:23), so we may presume the work done on both occasions was much the same.

Jesus Compassionating the Multitudes, Asks Prayer for Help (Mt 9:36-38).

When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them because they were harassed and lying about as sheep having no shepherd. Their pitiable condition as wearied under bodily fatigue was a faint picture of their wretchedness as victims of pharisaic guidance; their souls uncared for yet drawn after Him.

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are few." Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. The word properly means "thrust forth," but this emphatic sense disappears in some places.