4. THE COMPLETENESS OF HIS HEALING POWER . (Cf. Matthew 8:1 , note.) (a) sight ( Matthew 9:27-31 ); (b) speech, though, in this case, the dumbness was the work of an evil spirit ( Matthew 9:32-34 ). Observe also in this section the reference to the effect of his work upon outsiders. read more
Two blind men restored to sight. Matthew only. (For the connexion, vide verse 18, note.) Weiss compares the incident at Jericho, Matthew 20:29-34 . The points of similarity are: The points of difference : From a consideration of these details, the conclusion seems inevitable that we have, in fact, narratives of two distinct occurrences, but it is quite consistent with tiffs conclusion to suppose that during the oral transmission of the narratives a certain amount of assimilation... read more
The blindness of sense vanquished by the sight of faith. In introduction, dwell a moment on the frequency of the allusions to the blind, and to Christ's giving of sight to them. Show how it accords with the typical statement of Christ's work, which also had travelled down from the prophetic "Go and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see," etc. ( Luke 7:22 ), compared with" The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to... read more
Companionship. Here we meet two men in company, between whom there are notable points of agreement. I. THEY ARE COMPANIONS IN BLINDNESS . 1 . In community there is sympathy. 2 . In sympathy there is power. II. THEY ARE TOGETHER IN SEEKING SIGHT . 1 . They seek it from the same Source. (a) It was the received opinion of that time in Judaea that Messiah should be a Son of David (cf. Matthew 22:42 ; John 7:42 ). (b) Jesus was... read more
Other miracles, I. THE TWO BLIND MEN . 1 . Their cry. The day's work was not over. It had been a wonderful day, crowded with mighty deeds. The Lord was returning from the house of Jairus, his thoughts full, we may well believe, of sympathy with the sorrowing, of holy joy at their deliverance. But this world is a world of sorrow; sorrow in various forms meets us everywhere. Two blind men followed in the crowd. They could not see the gracious face of the Lord, but they had... read more
And when he was come into the house . Where he would be undisturbed (cf. Matthew 13:36 ). On the later occasion ( Matthew 20:32 ) Jesus stood still in the road. The blind men came to him. Close ( προσῆλθαν αὐτῷ ) . And Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They had professed faith in him, yet their after-conduct ( Matthew 9:31 ) shows that it was none too perfect. They said unto him, Yea, Lord . Said ; say (Revised Version); λέγουσιν . The... read more
Then touched he their eyes. So also Matthew 20:34 , showing his sympathy and helping their faith ( Matthew 8:3 ); cf. also John 9:6 , and supra , John 9:18 , note. Saying, According to your faith ( Matthew 8:13 , note) be it ( done , Revised Version; γενηθήτω ) unto you. read more
According to faith. This expression was connected with a miracle of healing. Not all Christ's gracious deeds are recorded in our Gospels. Some are fully detailed. Some are briefly sketched. Some are merely summarized. The reason for the difference of treatment may be found in the degree in which any miracle afforded illustration of truth. This is not one of the fully developed cases, but it yields one point. Blindness is a common affliction in the East. Christ had just wrought a miracle. Its... read more
And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them ( ἐνεβριμήθη αὐτοῖς ) . The notion is of "coercion springing out of displeasure. The feeling is called out by something seen in another which moves to anger rather than to sorrow" (Bishop Westcott, on John 11:33 ). Saying, See that no man know it. Partly to avoid publicity for himself, partly for their own sake, for even the recital of the Lord's mercies towards us often becomes an occasion of spiritual harm, since... read more
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John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:30
Verse 30 30.And Jesus threatened them Either he wished to have other persons as witnesses of the miracle, or to delay the publication of it till another time. Their conduct in immediately proclaiming it every where is worthy of blame: for the notion entertained by some, that Christ forbade them for the purpose of exciting them the more, has been already refuted. There was, no doubt, some reason for forbidding it, which is unknown to us; and those men, through inconsiderate zeal, spread the... read more