Matthew 9:27-28

This is the first time in Matthew’s Gospel that someone called Jesus the "Son of David" (cf. Matthew 1:1; Matthew 12:23; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 20:30-31; Matthew 21:9; Matthew 21:15). This was a messianic title, and the blind men’s use of it undoubtedly expressed their belief that Jesus was the Messiah. The Gospel writers recorded that Jesus healed at least six blind men, and each case was different (cf. John 9; Mark 8:22-26; Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, and Luke 18:35-43). Blindness was a common ailment in Jesus’ day, but the Gospel evangelists also used it to illustrate lack of spiritual perception.

"The use of the Davidic title in address to Jesus is less extraordinary than some think: in Palestine, in the time of Jesus, there was an intense messianic expectation." [Note: Hill, p. 180.]

Ironically these physically blind men saw who Jesus was more clearly than most of their seeing contemporaries. Isaiah had prophesied that Messiah would open the eyes of the blind (Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5-6). Frequently in the Synoptics the desperately needy cried out to Jesus calling Him the Son of David. [Note: Dennis C. Duling, "The Therapeutic Son of David: An Element in Matthew’s Christological Apologetic," New Testament Studies 24 (1978):392-410.] There seems to be a relationship between the depth of a person’s felt need and his or her willingness to believe in Jesus.

Probably Jesus did not heal these men outdoors for at least two reasons. He had already done two miracles outdoors before many witnesses that day and may have wanted to keep the crowd under control (cf. Matthew 9:30). Second, by bringing the blind men indoors He heightened their faith since it involved waiting longer for a cure. Jesus’ question furthered this aim (Matthew 9:28). It also clarified that their cries for help came from confidence in Him rather than just out of desperation, and it focused their faith on Jesus and not just God.