Why did Jesus stop and call the blind men in Matthew 20:32? Text of the Passage “Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ ” (Matthew 20:32) Immediate Context (Matthew 20:29-34) Jesus is leaving Jericho on His final ascent to Jerusalem. Two blind men sitting by the road cry out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” (v. 30). Though the crowd rebukes them, they cry out all the more. Jesus stops, calls them, asks what they want, touches their eyes, and “immediately they received their sight and followed Him” (v. 34). Historical-Cultural Background Blindness was common in first-century Judea because of ophthalmic infections, desert glare, and poverty. Blind beggars normally positioned themselves by city gates where travelers congregated. Jericho’s two-tiered city (Tell es-Sultan and Herodian Jericho) lay on the main pilgrim route to Passover. Archaeological digs (e.g., Garstang, Kenyon) confirm a well-traveled spring-fed oasis where large crowds like the one described would gather. Recognition of Messianic Title The blind men invoke “Son of David,” a messianic designation rooted in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and Isaiah 11:1-5. By acknowledging that title, they publicly affirm Jesus as the rightful King. Jesus stops because their confession is true; He never silences accurate messianic acclamation after Caesarea Philippi (cf. Matthew 16:20 with 21:15-16). Compassion as Covenantal Character Old Testament revelation depicts Yahweh as the One who “opens the eyes of the blind” (Psalm 146:8). When Jesus stops, He manifests covenantal mercy (chesed) promised in Isaiah 42:6-7 and 61:1. Matthew, writing to demonstrate Jesus as Israel’s Messiah, records this miracle to show fulfillment: “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened” (Isaiah 35:5). Faith Precedes the Miracle Matthew consistently highlights faith as the conduit of healing (8:10, 9:22, 15:28). The blind men’s persistent cries over the crowd’s rebuke embody Hebrews 11:6: “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Jesus stops because genuine faith arrests divine attention (cf. Luke 18:7-8). Discipleship Lesson for the Twelve Immediately before this event, Jesus has just taught that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (20:28). By stopping, He enacts that teaching. The Twelve, who had been jockeying for status (20:20-24), witness power used in service, not self-advancement, a living parable of kingdom greatness. Public Verification Before Passion Week The miracle occurs days before the Triumphal Entry. Restoring sight in a broad daylight setting with many witnesses furnishes incontrovertible evidence of messianic authority that will echo into Jerusalem (21:10-11). Contemporary hostile witnesses could not refute a well-known Jericho healing (cf. Acts 4:16). Fulfillment of Isaiah’s New-Exodus Motif Jericho evokes Israel’s first entrance into the Promised Land (Joshua 6). Jesus reversing blindness at Jericho signals a greater Joshua leading a new exodus, liberating people from spiritual darkness (Luke 1:78-79). He stops because the locale heightens prophetic symbolism. Spiritual Optics: Sight for the Blind, Blindness for the Seeing Matthew positions this narrative after three Passion predictions the disciples do not grasp (20:17-19). The physically sightless perceive Christ correctly; the physically seeing disciples remain dull. Jesus halts to dramatize the reversal theme typical of Matthew (11:25; 13:13-15). Miracle as Evidential Sign Thousands of documented contemporary healings (e.g., Craig S. Keener, Miracles, chs. 10-11) mirror the Jericho event, indicating God’s consistent willingness to intervene. Intelligent design arguments underscore a Creator who can, and does, act within His creation; the restoration of optical function presupposes intricate ocular design that cannot arise from unguided processes, but can be instantly re-ordered by the Designer Himself. Ethical-Pastoral Application 1. Hear the marginalized; silence the crowd’s rebuke. 2. Persist in prayer; faith’s cry arrests heaven’s King. 3. Serve on the way to sacrifice; no agenda is too urgent to preclude mercy. 4. Follow the One who gives sight; gratitude expresses itself in obedience (20:34). Eschatological Foretaste Isaiah foretells an age when “no resident will say, ‘I am sick’ ” (33:24). The Jericho healing previews the consummation when Messiah eradicates all infirmity (Revelation 21:4). Jesus stops because each miracle is a down payment on future restoration. Why, Summarized Jesus stops and calls the blind men to honor their messianic confession, exhibit covenant compassion, reward persistent faith, instruct His disciples, fulfill prophecy, furnish public evidence before Passion Week, dramatize spiritual sight versus blindness, and foreshadow final redemption. In doing so, He reveals the heart of God who hears the desperate and delights to give light. |
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