Matthew 20:30
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τυφλοὶ
blind men
G5185
τυφλοὶ
blind men
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
4 of 19
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
καθήμενοι
sitting
G2521
καθήμενοι
sitting
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
5 of 19
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
παρὰ
side
G3844
παρὰ
side
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁδόν,
by the way
G3598
ὁδόν,
by the way
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
8 of 19
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
11 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
παράγει
passed by
G3855
παράγει
passed by
Strong's:
G3855
Word #:
12 of 19
to lead near, i.e., (reflexively or intransitively) to go along or away
ἔκραξαν
cried out
G2896
ἔκραξαν
cried out
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
λέγοντες,
saying
G3004
λέγοντες,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἐλέησον
Have mercy
G1653
Ἐλέησον
Have mercy
Strong's:
G1653
Word #:
15 of 19
to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
κύριε,
O Lord
G2962
κύριε,
O Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
17 of 19
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
Mark 10:46And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.Matthew 21:14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.Matthew 22:42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.Matthew 21:9And 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.
Historical Context
Blindness was common in the ancient Near East due to untreated infections, trachoma, and glaucoma. Blind beggars positioned themselves at city gates and along pilgrimage routes for maximum alms. The Messianic title 'Son of David' reflected Jewish expectation based on 2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 9:6-7, and Jeremiah 23:5-6. Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46) was one of these two men, suggesting his later prominence in the early church.
Questions for Reflection
- Why can blind beggars see Jesus's true identity while the sighted disciples remain blind to it?
- What does their persistent crying out despite opposition teach about the nature of saving faith?
- How does the title 'Son of David' reflect both correct theology and potentially misguided political expectations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Two blind men sitting by the way side (δύο τυφλοὶ καθήμενοι παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν)—The typhloì (blind men) represent humanity's spiritual condition; kathēmenoi (sitting) suggests helpless resignation to their state. Their roadside position was strategic for begging from pilgrims. When they heard that Jesus passed by (ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Ἰησοῦς παράγει)—Hearing, akousantes, precedes seeing; faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17).
Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David (Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, κύριε υἱὸς Δαυίδ)—Their cry employs the Messianic title huios Dauid (Son of David), acknowledging Jesus as the promised heir to David's throne. 'Lord' (kyrie) can mean 'sir' or 'master,' but combined with 'Son of David' indicates Messianic recognition. Ironically, blind men see what sighted disciples miss: Jesus's true identity. Their persistent faith contrasts sharply with the disciples' ambitious blindness in verses 20-24.