Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 9:28
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
And when he was come into the house – That is, either into the house which he usually occupied in Capernaum, or the house of some friend. They had followed him, but thus far he had not seemed to heed their cries, and he entered the house as if he did not intend to regard them – probably for the trial of their faith.
The blind men came to him – That is, they followed him into the house. They showed a determination to persevere until they obtained what they asked.
Believe ye that I am able to do this? – To work such a miracle. Though they had followed him and cried after him, yet he required of them an open profession of their faith in regard to his power.
They said unto him, Yea, Lord – We have no doubt of this. We came with that assurance: we have followed thee with that belief. It was on this simple profession of their faith that the miracle was performed, as it is on the simple profession of our faith that our souls will be saved.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 28. When he was come unto the house] That is, the house of Peter at Capernaum, where he ordinarily lodged.
Believe ye that I am able to do this?] Without faith Jesus does nothing to men’s souls now, no more than he did to their bodies in the days of his flesh.
They said unto him, Yea, Lord.] Under a sense of our spiritual blindness we should have,
1st. A lively faith in the almighty grace of Christ.
2dly. A fervent, incessant cry for the communication of this grace.
3dly. A proper view of his incarnation, because it is through his union with our nature, and by his sufferings and death, we are to expect salvation.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
28. And when he was come into thehouseTo try their faith and patience, He seems to have madethem no answer. But
the blind men came toHimwhich, no doubt, was what He desired.
and Jesus saith unto them,Believe ye that I am able to do this? they said unto him, Yea,LordDoubtless our Lord’s design was not only to put theirfaith to the test by this question, but to deepen it, to raise theirexpectation of a cure, and so prepare them to receive it; and thecordial acknowledgment, so touchingly simple, which they immediatelymade to Him of His power to heal them, shows how entirely that objectwas gained.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when he was come into the house,…. In which he dwelt, whilst at Capernaum: for he took no notice of them by the way; but though they followed him close, and cried vehemently, he did not stop to speak to them, or give them a cure: according to their request, but went on his way; which he did, partly to avoid the populace, and that he might not be seen by men, in what he did, and partly to try their faith, and the constancy of it.
The blind men came to him; being directed by others, into what house he went, and where he was, and very probably with the leave of Christ:
and Jesus saith unto them, believe ye that I am able to do this? That is, to have mercy on them, as they requested, by curing them of their blindness; which, though not expressed, is implied, and is the thing designed: this question is put, not as being ignorant of, or as doubting their faith in him, which they had expressed, in calling him the son of David; and had shown the firmness and constancy of it, by following him, though he took no notice of them; but partly, for the further trial of their faith, and to bring them to a more open profession of it, as to this particular, his power to cure them of their blindness; and partly, for the sake of those, that were in the house:
they said unto him, yea, Lord. They firmly believed he had power to do it, they had not the least doubt and hesitation in their minds about it; for though their bodily eyes were at present dark, the eyes of their understandings were enlightened, to see and know Jesus to be the true Messiah, David’s Son, and Lord.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
1) “And when he was come into the house,” (elthonti de eis ten oikian) “Then when he came into the house or residence,” the place where He stayed, resided there in Capernaum, Mat 4:13; Luk 4:31-32.
2) “The blind men came to him,” (proselthon auto hoi tufloi) “The blind men approached him,” or came directly to Him; Note their perseverance in following Jesus. They would not give up or be turned away, Mat 9:27; they believed Him to be the Messiah, the Son of David, as also Mat 15:22; Luk 18:39.
3) “And Jesus saith unto them,” (kai legei autois ho lesous) “And Jesus inquired of them,” to test or to try their sincerity, for the benefit of those who heard and watched.
4) “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” (pisteuete hoti dunamai tauto poiesai) “Do you two believe that I am able to do this thing you ask me to do?” Do you sincerely believe that I am able to show helpful mercy or pity to you?
5) “They said unto him, Yea, Lord.” (elgousin auto vai kurie) “They said to him, certainly or surely we do, Lord,” They had also indicated this trusting, earnest faith by calling Him “Son of David,” the object of Messianic, redemptive hope, Mat 9:27.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
28. Do you believe that I can do this? But from other passages of Scripture, it is evident that our knowledge of his power will be cold and unprofitable, if we are not convinced of his willingness. And yet Christ is satisfied with their reply, and applauds their faith, as if it had been all that could be wished. I answer, they had some perception of his grace; for they had already acknowledged him to be the Son of David; bestowing upon him this title as Redeemer of their nation and author of all blessings. He interrogates them, therefore, as to his power, and proceeds farther to inquire if they believe in good earnest. Faith embraces the mercy and fatherly love of God along with his power, and the generous design of Christ along with his ability to save. But as men commonly ascribe less than they ought to do to the power of God and the ability of Christ, there was good reason for proposing this question to the blind men, if they believe that Christ can do what they have professed with their mouth. Indeed, Christ wished simply to know if they were candid in yielding to him the honor of Messiah; and therefore he applauds their faith, because under that low and despicable appearance they acknowledged him to be the Son of David
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(28) Into the house.The article indicates the house in which He sojourned at Capernaum, probably that of St. Peter.
Believe ye that I am able to do this?The cry, Have mercy on us, had implied the request that He would restore their sight. In this case, as in others, faith was the antecedent condition of the miracle.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
28. Into the house Where he dwelt at Capernaum. The blind men found him on the way, and followed him in, with supplication. Believe ye I am able They had shown faith both by calling him Son of David and following him into the house. But the Lord proceeds still farther to draw out their faith. Confession confirms faith. They must confess, and they will doubly profit by the miracle.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus says to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
The persistence of the blind men is brought out here. They had not only cried out but had followed Him home. And for two blind men that would not have been a simple thing to do. But their faith and desire was such that they persisted. They would not be denied. So Jesus asks them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He wants them to appreciate Who it is Who will actually do this. Note that He does not say, ‘Do you believe that God is able to do this? As in the case of the leper the point is being made that it is dependent on His will whether it is done or not. This was another of the continual indications that we have that Jesus was like none other.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
‘They say to him, “Yes, Lord.”
Their reply is a simple confirmation of their faith. They have no doubt. They are confident in His power, as had been the leper and the centurion. This contrasts greatly with the ‘little faith’ of the disciples (Mat 8:26). That is not, however, fully fair to the disciples, for these people had concentrated their faith on one great thing, which the disciples would by now know that He could do, but the disciples were being called on to learn slowly that they had to trust Him in every aspect of their lives.
We note again the use of ‘Lord’. This is in a very full sense, even if only because they see Him as the Son of David. But it was heightened by the fact that they saw Him as a unique healer and prophet. It was reverence of the highest magnitude.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The healing and its effect:
v. 28. And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him; and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They say unto Him, Yea, Lord.
v. 29, T hen touched He their eyes, saying. According unto your faith, be it unto you.
v. 30. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straightly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
v. 31. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad His fame in all that country. Jesus had taken no notice of the cries of the men on the street, either for fear of awakening false expectations, or in order to test their faith. But they were persistent with that importunity which usually conquered Jesus. When He reached His house, His lodgings, they went directly to Him. The Lord has only one question to address to them, whether they have faith in His power to help, to which they assented with a glad Yes, Lord, thus both confessing faith in His ability and giving Him the honor due Him as the Lord of heaven. Then, without further hesitation, overcome by the force of their pleading in faith, He touched their eyes and thus opened and gave sight to them. As was their faith, so was their reward. Faith is the hand which takes what God offers, the spiritual organ of appropriation, the connecting link between our emptiness and God’s fullness. It is faith which opens the heart of Jesus and storms the very gates of heaven. But this trusting faith is always an outgrowth of redeeming faith, of the firm reliance in the blood and merits of Jesus the Redeemer. The Lord, in dismissing the men that had thus received His bounty, sternly enjoined them, very emphatically charged them, on pain of His displeasure, not to spread the news abroad, to let no one know of the healing. The danger of a carnal movement, by which the people of Galilee would be roused into rebellion against the Romans, made it necessary for Him to impose silence upon them. But they, believing, probably, that it was only humility that prompted the Lord to make such a demand, and full of joy over the help which they had experienced, were most active in relating their glad news in that entire country, far beyond the boundaries of Capernaum.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Mat 9:28. Believe ye that I am able, &c. See the note on Mar 9:23 where the reasons of proposing this question before the cure, and of conferring the cure in this form or expression, are assigned.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 1339
TWO BLIND MEN HEALED
Mat 9:28-30. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened.
WE are so much accustomed to read and hear the miracles of our Lord, that the recital of them produces little or no effect: but had we seen the multitudes of diseased people continually coming to him, crying after him, and breaking in upon his retreats when he was in the houses of his friends, we should have been greatly astonished. In the passage before us we have a specimen of their importunity: two blind men, having in vain supplicated our Lords assistance in the street, followed him into a house, and there obtained that relief, which, from prudential considerations perhaps, he had not chosen to impart in the presence of the people.
Waving many observations which will arise, when another miracle, exactly similar to this [Note: Mat 20:30-34.], shall be considered, we shall fix our attention upon two things, which are very strongly marked in the words before us:
I.
The object of faith
The whole sacred volume is to be received by us; but God has revealed in it the proper object of our faith: his perfections are the foundation on which we build; and though every perfection is equally an object of our love, yet there seems a propriety in regarding his power as the more immediate object of our faith; because it will be to no purpose to believe him well-disposed towards us, if we do not also believe him able to effect his gracious intentions
[In confirmation of this we may observe, that in the most eminent instances of faith, the power of God has been chiefly regarded [Note: Abraham, whose faith is so highly commended, had respect to the power of God to give him a son in his old age, Rom 4:19-21 and to raise him up from the dead, Heb 11:19. In dependence on this, Jonathan attacked a Philistine garrison, 1Sa 14:6. Jehoshaphat went forth against three confederate armies, 2Ch 20:6; 2Ch 20:12 and the Hebrew Youths withstood the command of the Babylonish monarch, Dan 3:17-18.]
And in the most remarkable instances of unbelief, his power has been principally doubted [Note: Sarah questioned the power of God to give her a child, Gen 18:12-14. As did also the Israelites to give them bread and flesh. Psa 78:20. Moses himself on one occasion staggered at Gods promise, from an apprehension that it could not be performed, Num 11:21-22. And Martha deemed the putrid state of her brothers corpse an insurmountable bar to his restoration to life, Joh 11:39-40.] Moreover God in a peculiar manner points out this attribute to our notice [Note: Psa 62:11.], expostulates with us for not attending to it sufficiently [Note: Isa 40:28-29.], and exhorts us to take it for our strength [Note: Isa 26:4.] ]
The address of our Lord to the two suppliants leads us further to remark,
II.
The importance of faith
[Our Lord makes more inquiry after this than after any other grace [Note: He inquired to this effect of Martha, Joh 11:26; of the blind man, Joh 9:35. See also the text.] He overlooked many faults, where this was exercised [Note: He might have justly reproved the noblemans impatience, Joh 4:49.]; and disregarded every thing that was apparentlygood, if this were wanting [Note: The zeal and love of Peter were no longer approved when his faith failed him, Mat 14:3. Nor did Jesus regard the ready obedience of his disciples in ferrying him over the lake, when they discovered such timidity and want of faith, Mar 4:40.] He invariably bestowed the highest encomiums upon it [Note: Mat 8:10; Mat 21:21-22. See particularly 2Ch 16:8. where it was not only commended, but rewarded.]; and made it, not only a condition, but the very measure of his favours [Note: Mar 9:23. Mat 8:13; Mat 15:28. See also the text.] ]
Application
1.
To unbelievers
[If men may manifest a very considerable earnestness about salvation, and yet leave room to doubt whether they really believe in the all-sufficiency of Christ, how evidently must they be unbelievers, who have no solicitude about their eternal welfare! To judge of your faith, see whether you resemble these blind men in your consciousness of your need of a Saviour, and your conviction of the sufficiency of Christ to save you? Your need of mercy at his hands is as real and as urgent as ever theirs was: and, if you really believe in him, you are going to him with the same importunity as was expressed by them: nor will you account any time or place unfit for the silent offering of your requests. Think then, what will you answer to the Lord when he shall inquire respecting your faith! And what will you do, if he should say, Be it unto you according to your faith? Alas! too many of you need no greater curse than this. If you have no more pardon, peace, or glory, than in proportion to your present exercise of faith, the great mass of you, it is to be feared, will be miserable indeed. O remember the fate of the unbelieving Israelites; and flee to Christ, every one of you, lest ye perish after their example of unbelief [Note: Heb 3:18-19; Heb 4:11.].]
2.
To those who are weak in faith
[Can you see the multitude of our Saviours miracles, and entertain any doubt of his sufficiency? or the examples of so many that were strong in faith, and not be ashamed that, with your superior advantages, you should ever indulge unbelief? O fix it in your minds, that Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, and to keep that which you have committed to him [Note: 2Ti 1:12.]. Believe in the Lord, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper [Note: 2Ch 20:20.]. But if ye will not believe, neither shall ye be establishe [Note: Isa 7:9.].]
3.
To believers in general
[You will find that peace of mind, purity of heart, victory over the world, and indeed all that you hold dear, vary according to the weakness or stability of your faith. Beware then of ever limiting the Holy One of Israel. Beg that what is yet lacking in your faith may be perfected [Note: 1Th 3:10.]. And seek to become strong in faith, giving glory to God.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
Ver. 28. And when he was come into the house ] For till then he seemed to slight them, that they might the more earnestly importune him. He knows how to commend his benefits to us. Cito data cito vilescunt. Things lightly come by are lightly set by.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
28. ] , , . Euthym [109] Or, the house which our Lord inhabited at Capernaum (De Wette and others); but I conceive that need not mean any particular house, merely, as we sometimes use the expression, the house , as opposed to the open air: see note on Mat 9:1 .
[109] Euthymius Zigabenus, 1116
] i.e. the healing, implied in .
] See Psa 110:1 , and ch. Mat 22:45 ; also ch. Mat 12:23 ; Mat 20:30-31 .
Touching , or anointing the eyes, was the ordinary method which our Lord took of impressing on the blind the action of the divine power which healed them. Ch. Mat 20:34 : Mar 8:25 ; Joh 9:6 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 9:28 . . . : they follow, and Jesus at last takes notice of them, asking if they have faith in His power. His previous conduct might throw doubt on His willingness, but that is dispelled by speaking to them. : a prompt glad “yes” is their answer.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
the house, or his house. See note on e. 10.
said = say.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
28. ] , , . Euthym[109] Or, the house which our Lord inhabited at Capernaum (De Wette and others); but I conceive that need not mean any particular house, merely, as we sometimes use the expression, the house, as opposed to the open air: see note on Mat 9:1.
[109] Euthymius Zigabenus, 1116
] i.e. the healing, implied in .
] See Psa 110:1, and ch. Mat 22:45; also ch. Mat 12:23; Mat 20:30-31.
Touching, or anointing the eyes, was the ordinary method which our Lord took of impressing on the blind the action of the divine power which healed them. Ch. Mat 20:34 : Mar 8:25; Joh 9:6.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 9:28. , when he was come) They persevered in praying.-, I am able) The object of faith.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
come: Mat 8:14, Mat 13:36
Believe: Mat 9:22, Mat 8:2, Mat 13:58, Mar 9:23, Mar 9:24, Joh 4:48-50, Joh 11:26, Joh 11:40
Reciprocal: 1Ki 17:16 – the barrel Mar 5:36 – only Mar 7:24 – and would Mar 9:22 – if Mar 10:52 – thy faith Luk 5:12 – if Luk 7:22 – how Luk 18:43 – he Act 9:34 – Jesus Christ Act 14:9 – he had 2Co 6:13 – be Heb 11:19 – God
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9:28
The blind men did not lose heart but followed Jesus until he had entered another house, and there they came to him for relief. Jesus knew all hearts and was aware of the faith in the minds of these men, but a public profession of faith is one of the acts that puts a man in favorable light before the Lord.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 9:28. Into the house. Our Lord allowed them to cry on until He reached the house (wherever it was), in order to draw out the expression of their faith. Possibly He would avoid a public response to the title Son of David. The blessing is granted in such a way as to gain their faith and their confession.