Matthew 9:27
Saturday, 26 April 2025
When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” Matthew 9:27
“And Jesus, passing thence, they followed Him – two blind – croaking and saying, ‘You compassionate us, Son of David’” (CG).
In the previous verse, it was noted that the report of what Jesus did in restoring life to the damsel went throughout all the land. Now, the narrative continues with the account of another miracle, beginning with, “And Jesus, passing thence, they followed Him – two blind.”
A new adjective, tuphlos, translated as blind, is introduced. It signifies opaque, as if smoky. Thus, it gives the sense of an inability to see. It is derived from the verb tuphoó, to be enveloped in smoke. It can be taken literally or figuratively. In the latter sense, it would refer to someone who is lifted up with pride or who is conceited. That word is, in turn, derived from tuphó, to make smoke, as if slowly consumed without flame, as in a smoldering wick.
This word, signifying blindness because of being opaque, probably covers the whole range of blindness, from cataracts to being born blind (as in John 9). These men were unable to see, but their ears were fine because they were able to discern that Jesus was passing by. In hearing this news, they followed Him, “croaking.”
It is the same word used in Matthew 8 when the demon-possessed men croaked out to Jesus. It is thus an elevated cry of consternation or desire. They raised their voices as if croaking, “and saying, ‘You compassionate us, Son of David.’”
Outside of Matthew 1, this is the first time David is mentioned in the New Testament. In Matthew 1, the name was mentioned 5 times in Jesus’ genealogy and then once, saying –
“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:20, 21
These two blind men are calling out in acknowledgement that they believe Jesus is the promised Messiah who would sit on David’s throne. This was a confident act of faith because the current king was Herod, who descended from his father Herod the Great. Thus, a dynasty had been in place. And yet, it was believed based on Scripture that the Messiah would be Israel’s king.
There is nothing stated as to how they concluded that Jesus was the Son of David. It wasn’t as if people carried around a copy of His genealogy. Therefore, it may be that the thought was that any Jew could somehow fulfill this kingly role, thus fulfilling the messianic prophecy.
In other words, the authority, character, or role of a famous person may be used as an identifier. So, if someone was thought to be a great prophet, they may say, “He is a son of Isaiah,” thus identifying him as a figurative son of a great prophet. This is not an unknown concept because Paul uses it concerning Gentiles in relation to Abraham –
“Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” Galatians 3:5-7
It also could be that there may have been some other commonly used identifier that allowed people to know the tribal heritage of others. If this is the case, there is no record of it being so. Whatever was on the minds of these blind men, they are clearly identifying Jesus with the authority of the throne of Israel, believing that His power extended beyond that of David as a man of war in earthly battles to a Man of war in the physical/spiritual realm of being able to heal the blind.
Life application: With the resurrection of Christ and the writing of the New Testament, we now have a full understanding of the many roles of Jesus the Messiah. He not only fulfills the role of the Son of David in kingly authority and power, but He also is the great prophet who is the Giver of all other prophetic utterances because He is God.
He is also the great High Priest who has initiated a New Covenant and who now advocates and mediates on behalf of His people. He is the Shepherd of His people, the Author and Perfector of our salvation, and so much more. When we consider what God has done in Christ Jesus, we are considering how He has fully and exactingly expressed Himself to His creatures.
Let us consider this as we contemplate who Jesus is, understanding that the glory and honor we ascribe to Him are that which is due to our Creator. Let us never disassociate the two in our thoughts. When we behold Jesus, we are beholding our God, who is united with humanity to restore us to Himself. All hail the name of Jesus!
Heavenly Father, we thank You for what You have done for us when You sent Jesus to bring us back to Yourself. It is hard to fathom what value we possess that You would do what You have done. But we accept it by faith, knowing that for all eternity we will behold Your greatness and glorify You for what You have done. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
