What is the meaning of Matthew 20:31? The crowd admonished them to be silent - The onlookers treated the blind men as an interruption, echoing earlier moments where people tried to manage who could approach Jesus (Matthew 19:13-14). - This resistance highlights a recurring tension: human gatekeeping versus Christ’s open invitation. See also Mark 10:48 and Luke 18:39, the parallel accounts that confirm the historicity of this scene. - When public opinion pressures the needy into silence, Scripture calls believers to remember that “the LORD is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18) and that no one seeking Him is turned away (John 6:37). but they cried out all the louder - The verb tense points to persistent, escalating pleas. Physical blindness did not dull spiritual sight; faith intensified under opposition. - Similar holy defiance appears when the apostles, ordered to stop preaching, replied, “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18-20). - Genuine faith refuses to be muted. Hebrews 11 showcases others who pressed on despite obstacles, while Philippians 3:14 urges believers to “press on toward the goal.” - Their volume was not desperation alone; it was confidence that Jesus truly hears (Psalm 18:6). “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” - “Lord” acknowledges Jesus’ authority; “Son of David” declares Him the promised Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6). The blind men saw, by faith, what many sighted people missed. - Their plea for mercy mirrors classic biblical prayers: “Have mercy on me, O God” (Psalm 51:1) and “Show us Your mercy, O LORD” (Psalm 123:3). - Mercy, not merit, is their basis. Titus 3:5 affirms we are saved “not by works… but because of His mercy.” - Jesus immediately responds (Matthew 20:34), fulfilling Isaiah 35:5—“Then the eyes of the blind will be opened.” The miracle validates both their confession and His messianic identity. summary Matthew 20:31 records a literal event that displays the clash between crowd control and persistent faith. The blind men ignored silencing voices, amplifying their cry to the rightful King. By calling Jesus “Lord, Son of David,” they affirmed His messiahship and leaned wholly on His mercy. Their bold persistence invites believers to bypass human barriers, trust Christ’s compassionate authority, and approach Him with confident, humble pleas for mercy. |
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