And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed [him], crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
32 As they were going out, a demoniac who could not speak was brought to him, 33 and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
35 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. 36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
As Jesus continues His public ministry, Matthew presents three final episodes in this chapter that showcase both the healing power and the compassionate mission of the Messiah. These verses—though brief—reveal the faith of the afflicted, the growing resistance from the religious elite, and the urgent need for laborers in the mission field.
Two blind men follow Jesus, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” (Mt 9:27). This title, “Son of David,” is deeply messianic. It recalls the covenant God made with David in 2 Samuel 7:12–16, promising that his descendant would establish an everlasting kingdom. Over time, Jewish expectation developed around a figure—David’s heir—who would deliver Israel and restore the kingdom of God. By calling Jesus “Son of David,” the blind men are not merely acknowledging His lineage; they are proclaiming Him as the long-awaited Messiah. In their physical blindness, they perceive a spiritual truth that many of the sighted fail to see.
Jesus does not respond immediately but allows their persistence to unfold until they reach the house. There, He asks them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” (v. 28). When they affirm their faith, He touches their eyes and says, “Let it be done for you according to your faith” (v. 29). This echoes an earlier theme in Matthew 9: faith is the door through which divine power often enters. As with the woman suffering hemorrhage (v. 22) and the ruler whose daughter had died (v. 18), healing is not merely about power—it is about relationship, trust, and spiritual openness.
Their eyes are opened, and Jesus warns them sternly: “See that no one knows about this” (v. 30). As noted earlier in this chapter, this warning is not about denying truth but delaying premature acclaim. Jesus often urges silence after miracles to avoid sensationalism and to prevent misunderstandings about His identity (cf. Mt 8:4; Mk 1:44). Yet, as before, the ones who are healed cannot remain silent. “They went out and spread word of Him through all that land” (v. 31). This is not mere disobedience—it reflects the overflowing joy of someone who has encountered divine mercy. As St. John Chrysostom (ca. 349–407 AD) noted, true gratitude often overpowers restraint (cf. Homily 32 on Matthew).
The next episode involves a man who is mute, not from birth, but due to demonic possession (v. 32). This affliction highlights a spiritual truth: evil seeks not only to torment but to silence. Throughout Scripture, the inability to speak can symbolize more than physical dysfunction—it points to the loss of one’s voice, identity, or capacity to proclaim truth (cf. Ps 39:3; Lk 1:20). The demon is cast out, and the man speaks. While the crowd marvels, the Pharisees respond with a chilling accusation: “He drives out demons by the prince of demons” (v. 34).
Why would they say such a thing? The Pharisees were not ignorant of Scripture or devoid of understanding. But Jesus threatened their authority. His healings were public, undeniable, and filled with power they could not control. Their accusation—later echoed more elaborately in Matthew 12:24—reflects the danger of hardened hearts. Instead of rejoicing at the liberation of a mute man, they attribute divine goodness to satanic origin. This is more than slander—it foreshadows the grave danger of hardening one’s heart against the truth. In attributing God’s merciful work to demonic power, the Pharisees are not merely misunderstanding—they are willfully resisting the visible grace at work before them. This kind of spiritual blindness, if left unrepented, can lead to what Jesus later calls the unforgivable sin: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (cf. Mt 12:31–32), which is not a single act but a persistent refusal to acknowledge God’s mercy and repent.
In the final verses, Jesus resumes His teaching, preaching, and healing ministry, but Matthew adds a deeply moving note: “At the sight of the crowds, His heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 36). The Greek word for “pity” (σπλαγχνίζομαι, splagchnizomai) conveys a visceral compassion—an aching in the very depths of one’s being. This evokes the prophetic image of Israel’s leaders failing in their duty to shepherd the people (cf. Ez 34:2–6), and it sets the stage for Jesus, the Good Shepherd (cf. Jn 10:11), to fulfill that role fully.
He then turns to His disciples and says, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for His harvest” (vv. 37–38). This moment of compassion becomes a call to mission. It is not enough to marvel at what Jesus has done—we are invited to participate in His work. The Church continues this call today, recognizing that souls are still wandering, voices are still silenced, and healing is still needed. The harvest is not in the past—it is present in every heart waiting to be reached.
Lord Jesus, Son of David and Good Shepherd, Open our eyes to Your presence, and open our hearts to Your call. Heal what is broken in us, cast out the silence of fear and shame, And send us as laborers into Your harvest. May we proclaim not ourselves, but You— The One who has had pity on us and who never tires of seeking the lost. Amen!
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Sources and References
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Orchard et al. (1953).
- The Navarre Bible: Matthew, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008).
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. Chiu et al. (2018).
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§547–550, 2616, 1504.
- St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, Hom. 32.
- Ezekiel 34:2–6; 2 Samuel 7:12–16; John 10:11; Matthew 12:24–31.
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