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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐλθόντι
when he was come
G2064
ἐλθόντι
when he was come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
1 of 23
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίαν
the house
G3614
οἰκίαν
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
προσῆλθον
came
G4334
προσῆλθον
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
6 of 23
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτῷ
to him
G846
αὐτῷ
to him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τυφλοί
the blind men
G5185
τυφλοί
the blind men
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
9 of 23
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγουσιν
They said
G3004
λέγουσιν
They said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
to him
G846
αὐτῷ
to him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
14 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Πιστεύετε
Believe ye
G4100
Πιστεύετε
Believe ye
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
15 of 23
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ποιῆσαι
to do
G4160
ποιῆσαι
to do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
19 of 23
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
λέγουσιν
They said
G3004
λέγουσιν
They said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
Matthew 8:2And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.Matthew 9:22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.Matthew 13:58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.John 11:26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?John 11:40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?Matthew 8:14And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.Matthew 13:36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
Historical Context
Jesus frequently asked questions before healing to elicit faith expressions (contrast the centurion's unsolicited faith). The private healing may have been to avoid fueling Messianic expectations that focused on earthly benefits rather than spiritual salvation. Testing faith strengthens it.
Questions for Reflection
- How would you answer Jesus' question: Do you believe I am able?
- What does Jesus' question-asking teach about His desire for personal faith, not just crowd following?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' question 'Believe ye that I am able to do this?' tests and draws out their faith before healing. Faith must be expressed and owned personally, not merely assumed. Their answer 'Yea, Lord' affirms both belief in His ability and His lordship. By having them come 'into the house' before healing, Jesus creates an intentional, private moment for faith expression separate from the crowd.