Matthew 20:30 And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

◄ Matthew 20:30 ►

New International Version
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

New Living Translation
Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

English Standard Version
And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Berean Standard Bible
And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Berean Literal Bible
And behold, two blind men sitting beside the road, having heard that Jesus is passing by, cried out saying, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!"

King James Bible
And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

New King James Version
And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

New American Standard Bible
And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

NASB 1995
And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

NASB 1977
And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Legacy Standard Bible
And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Amplified Bible
And two blind men were sitting by the road, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David (Messiah)!”

Christian Standard Bible
There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

American Standard Version
And behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David.

Contemporary English Version
Two blind men were sitting beside the road. And when they heard that Jesus was coming their way, they shouted, "Lord and Son of David, have pity on us!"

English Revised Version
And behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Good News Translation
Two blind men who were sitting by the road heard that Jesus was passing by, so they began to shout, "Son of David! Have mercy on us, sir!"

International Standard Version
When two blind men who were sitting by the roadside heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!"

Majority Standard Bible
And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, ?Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!?

NET Bible
Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!"

New Heart English Bible
And look, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, shouted, "Have mercy on us, Lord, son of David."

Webster's Bible Translation
And behold, two blind men sitting by the way-side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

Weymouth New Testament
two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried aloud, "Sir, Son of David, pity us."

World English Bible
Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and behold, two blind men sitting by the way, having heard that Jesus passes by, cried, saying, “Deal kindly with us, Lord—Son of David.”

Berean Literal Bible
And behold, two blind men sitting beside the road, having heard that Jesus is passing by, cried out saying, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!"

Young's Literal Translation
and lo, two blind men sitting by the way, having heard that Jesus doth pass by, cried, saying, 'Deal kindly with us, sir -- Son of David.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And, behold, two blind sitting by the way, having heard that Jesus passes by, cried out, saying, Pity us, O Lord, son of David.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And behold two blind men sitting by the way side, heard that Jesus passed by, and they cried out, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And behold, two blind men, sitting by the way, heard that Jesus was passing by; and they cried out, saying, “Lord, Son of David, take pity on us.”

New American Bible
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “[Lord,] Son of David, have pity on us!”

New Revised Standard Version
There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And behold, two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried aloud, saying, Have mercy upon us, O Lord, son of David.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And, behold, two blind men were sitting on the side of the road and when they heard that Yeshua was passing by, they gave a cry, and they were saying, “Have mercy on us my Lord, son of David.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And behold, two blind men, sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying: Have mercy on us, Lord, son of David.

Godbey New Testament
And behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, hearing that Jesus is passing by, cried out, saying; Have mercy on us, O son of David.

Haweis New Testament
And, behold, two blind men sat by the road side, who hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, son of David!

Mace New Testament
and there were two blind men sitting by the way-side, who hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David."

Weymouth New Testament
two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried aloud, "Sir, Son of David, pity us."

Worrell New Testament
And, behold, two blind men, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried, saying, "Lord, have mercy on us, Thou Son of David!"

Worsley New Testament
and behold, two blind men siting by the way-side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Blind Men by the Road
29As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. 30And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31The crowd admonished them to be silent, but they cried out all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Mark 10:46-52
Next, they came to Jericho. And as Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho with a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road. / When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” / Many people admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ...

Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging. / When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. / “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. ...

Matthew 9:27-31
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” / 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. / Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.” ...

Isaiah 35:5-6
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Isaiah 42:6-7
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, / to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

Matthew 21:14
The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.

John 9:1-7
Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, / and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” / Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him. ...

Psalm 146:8
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

Matthew 15:30-31
Large crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet, and He healed them. / The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,

Acts 3:2-8
And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts. / When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. / Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter. ...

2 Samuel 5:6-8
Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.” / Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). / On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.”

Matthew 12:22
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see.

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

Treasury of Scripture

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, you son of David.

two.

Matthew 9:27-31
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us…

Matthew 12:22
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

Matthew 21:14
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

Have.

Matthew 12:23
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

Matthew 15:22
And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Matthew 21:9
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Jump to Previous

Aloud Blind Cried Cry David Deal Heard Hearing Jesus Kindly Loud Mercy News Passed Passing Pity Road Roadside Seated Shouted Side Sir Sitting Way Wayside Way-Side

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Aloud Blind Cried Cry David Deal Heard Hearing Jesus Kindly Loud Mercy News Passed Passing Pity Road Roadside Seated Shouted Side Sir Sitting Way Wayside Way-Side

Matthew 20

1. Jesus, by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;
17. foretells his passion;
20. by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;
29. and gives two blind men their sight.

Berean Study Bible

And there were two blind men
The presence of "two blind men" is significant in the Gospel of Matthew, as it emphasizes the theme of spiritual blindness and the need for divine intervention. In the Greek, the word for "blind" is "τυφλός" (typhlos), which not only refers to physical blindness but also symbolizes a lack of spiritual insight. The number two can also be seen as a witness, as per Deuteronomy 19:15, where two witnesses establish a matter. This highlights the importance of their testimony to Jesus' messianic identity.

sitting by the road
The phrase "sitting by the road" indicates a position of marginalization and helplessness. In the ancient world, roads were places of transit and commerce, but for the blind, they were places of begging and dependency. The Greek word "ὁδός" (hodos) for "road" can also mean "way," symbolizing the journey of life. These men, unable to navigate their own path, are emblematic of humanity's need for Christ to guide us on the true way.

When they heard that Jesus was passing by
The act of "hearing" is crucial here. In the Greek, "ἀκούω" (akouo) means to hear or listen, and it often implies understanding or faith. Romans 10:17 states, "faith comes by hearing." These men, though physically blind, have spiritual ears attuned to the presence of Jesus. "Passing by" suggests a moment of divine opportunity, a kairos moment, where the presence of Jesus offers a chance for transformation.

they cried out
The Greek word "κράζω" (krazo) for "cried out" conveys a loud, urgent plea. This is not a mere request but a desperate cry for help, reflecting the depth of their need and faith. Their cry is an act of worship and recognition of Jesus' authority and power to heal.

Lord, Son of David
This title, "Lord, Son of David," is rich with messianic significance. "Lord" (Κύριος, Kyrios) acknowledges Jesus' divine authority. "Son of David" is a messianic title, affirming Jesus as the promised descendant of David who would establish God's kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This recognition by the blind men contrasts with the spiritual blindness of many who physically saw Jesus but did not recognize His true identity.

have mercy on us!
The plea for mercy, "ἐλέησον" (eleeson), is a profound acknowledgment of their dependence on Jesus' compassion and grace. Mercy is a central theme in the Gospel, reflecting God's loving-kindness and willingness to forgive and heal. This cry for mercy is a model for prayer, recognizing our own spiritual blindness and need for God's intervention in our lives.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(30) Behold, two blind men sitting.--Two difficulties present themselves on comparing this narrative with the accounts of the same or a similar event in St. Mark and St. Luke. (1.) The former agrees with St. Matthew as to time and place, but speaks of one blind man only, and gives his name as "Bartimseus, the son of Timaeus." (2.) The latter speaks of one only, and fixes the time of the miracle at our Lord's entry into Jericho. The probable explanation of (1) is, that of the two men, the one whom St. Mark names was the more conspicuous and better known, and of (2), that St. Luke, visiting the scene and having the spot pointed out to him outside the gates of the city, was left to conjecture, or was misinformed, as to the work having been done when our Lord drew nigh unto it. The fact that St. Luke alone records the incident connected with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) indicates either that he had been on the spot as an inquirer, or had sought for local sources of information. The assumption that he recorded a different miracle from St. Matthew and St. Mark is possible, but hardly probable, and certainly needless, except on a very rigid and a priori theory of inspiration. It is possible, again, that St. Luke's local inquiries may have made his narrative more accurate than the recollection on which St. Matthew's and St. Mark's rested.

O Lord, thou son of David.--The blind men probably echoed the whispered murmurs of the crowd that was sweeping by, or, in any case, used (as did the woman of Canaan, Matthew 15:22) the most popular and widely diffused of the names of the Messiah. They were beggars, and they appealed to the pity of the King.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 30. - Two blind men. St. Matthew is doubtless accurate in this statement. Tradition might easily drop one of the sufferers in the course of time, but it is not likely to have multiplied one into two. These sufferers had heard of the miracles of healing performed by Jesus in his various circuits, and especially of the late cure at Jerusalem of one born blind, and they were ready to believe in his power and to profit by his mercy. Heard. The beggars (Mark 10:46), debarred from sight, had their attention aroused by the tread of numerous feet, and the voices of the excited crowd, and naturally asked the bystanders to tell them what it all meant. When they heard that Jesus was there, the hope of relief immediately rushed into their mind. Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David! "O Lord" is only the usual respectful address of an inferior to one in higher station; but to call on Jesus as "Son of David" was virtually to acknowledge him to be the Messiah, who, as old prophets foretold, was to open the eyes of the blind (Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5). The same cry had been raised by the blind men who were cured earlier in the ministry (Matthew 9:27), and by the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matthew 15:22, where see note), How these men had learned the truth we know not; they could not see or read for themselves; their faith must have come by hearing, and the inward illumination of the Holy Spirit.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

there were
ἰδοὺ (idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

two
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

blind [men]
τυφλοὶ (typhloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5185: Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.

sitting
καθήμενοι (kathēmenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.

by
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

roadside.
ὁδόν (hodon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.

When they heard
ἀκούσαντες (akousantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

was passing by,
παράγει (paragei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3855: To pass by, depart, pass away. From para and ago; to lead near, i.e. to go along or away.

they shouted,
ἔκραξαν (ekraxan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2896: To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to 'croak' or scream, i.e. to call aloud.

“Lord,
Κύριε (Kyrie)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Son
υἱὸς (huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of David,
Δαυίδ (Dauid)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1138: David, King of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Dabid, the Israelite king.

have mercy on
ἐλέησον (eleēson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1653: To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.

us!”
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 20:30 Behold two blind men sitting by (Matt. Mat Mt)