What is the meaning of Matthew 15:31? The crowd was amazed Jesus has just moved east of Galilee, and great numbers bring their sick to Him (Matthew 15:29-30). Their response is sheer wonder. • Mark 7:37 shows the same reaction: “They were utterly astonished, saying, ‘He has done all things well’”. • Luke 5:26 records a similar moment after a healing: “They were all astounded and glorified God.” Such amazement is the proper response when the Creator steps into His creation and reverses the curse of sin and death (Romans 5:12-17). when they saw the mute speaking The crowd watches tongues loosen instantly. • Earlier, Jesus cast out a demon and “the mute man spoke” (Matthew 9:32-33). • Isaiah 35:5-6 foretold Messiah’s work: “Then the tongue of the mute will shout for joy”. • This literal miracle signals that Jesus fulfills those messianic promises, confirming His authority to forgive and teach (Matthew 9:6). the crippled restored “Restored” means made whole, not merely improved. • Mark 3:1-5 shows a withered hand fully straightened. • Luke 13:11-13 tells of a woman bent double for eighteen years, immediately “made straight.” The same power that spoke the universe into being (Colossians 1:16-17) now re-creates damaged limbs, previewing the complete renewal believers will enjoy in resurrection bodies (Philippians 3:21). the lame walking Those who could only be carried now walk unassisted. • Jesus points to this sign when John the Baptist seeks reassurance: “The lame walk” (Matthew 11:5). • Acts 3:6-8 shows the risen Christ still granting this gift through His apostles. The physical act pictures a spiritual reality: by grace, the helpless rise and follow Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-6). and the blind seeing Sight appears where there was none. • Isaiah 42:7 speaks of the Servant who will “open the eyes of the blind”. • John 9:1-7 records a man blind from birth given vision—proof that “while I am in the world, I am the light of the world”. • Matthew 9:27-30 adds another testimony of opened eyes. Darkness—physical or spiritual—cannot withstand the Light (John 1:5). And they glorified the God of Israel The ultimate purpose of every miracle is worship. • Matthew 9:8: “When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God.” • Luke 17:15: the healed leper “returned, glorifying God with a loud voice.” Here, many in the crowd are likely Gentiles from the Decapolis (compare Matthew 15:29 with Mark 7:31). Even they recognize that Israel’s God alone wields such power. The works of the Messiah draw nations to praise the covenant-keeping Lord (Psalm 117:1; Isaiah 49:6). summary Matthew 15:31 records a cascade of undeniable, literal miracles that fulfill prophecy, overturn human helplessness, and direct all attention to God. Mute tongues speak, broken bodies mend, lame legs walk, and blind eyes see—vivid signs that Jesus is the promised Messiah and divine Son. The only fitting response is the one the crowd offered: glorifying the God of Israel, who in Christ still opens eyes, straightens paths, and moves hearts to worship today. |
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