Matthew 9:27 kjv

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

Matthew 9:27 nkjv

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Matthew 9:27 niv

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"

Matthew 9:27 esv

And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."

Matthew 9:27 nlt

After Jesus left the girl's home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Matthew 9 verses

Matthew 9 27 Meaning

Matthew 9:27 depicts two blind men encountering Jesus as He leaves a house. Despite their physical affliction, they possess spiritual insight, recognizing Him as the long-awaited Messiah by calling Him "Son of David." They follow Him persistently, crying out for mercy, demonstrating desperate faith and conviction in His power and authority to heal them.

Matthew 9 27 Context

This verse occurs amidst a dense series of miracles and teachings in Matthew's Gospel, particularly in chapter 9, which showcases Jesus' divine authority. Preceding this event, Jesus healed a paralytic, called Matthew to be His disciple, explained His mission to call sinners, taught about fasting, raised Jairus's daughter from the dead, and healed a woman with a blood issue. As Jesus departs from the house where He raised Jairus's daughter (implied by "thence"), He is met by the blind men. The quick succession of miracles here emphasizes Jesus' overflowing compassion and unstoppable power. Culturally, blindness was a common affliction in the ancient world, and the blind often resorted to begging. More significantly, it was a messianic sign prophesied in the Old Testament that the Messiah would open the eyes of the blind. The men's cry, "Son of David," explicitly connects Jesus to these prophecies, identifying Him as the promised King. This recognition comes from those afflicted, contrasting with the skepticism of the religious leaders later in the chapter.

Matthew 9 27 Word analysis

• And as Jesus departed thence: (Καὶ ἀπορεῦσι ἀπὸ ἐκεῖ ὁ Ἰησοῦς - Kai aporeusi apo ekei ho Iēsous)
  • Kai aporeusi: "And departing/going away." Signifies immediate, ongoing movement. Jesus is always engaged in ministry, readily accessible.
  • apo ekei: "from there." Points to a previous location, likely the house where Jairus's daughter was raised (Mt 9:23-26).
  • ho Iēsous: "Jesus." The personal name emphasizes the physical presence of the divine Son.
• two blind men: (δύο τυφλοί - dyo typhloi)
  • dyo: "two." Matthew often specifies numbers, here suggesting two separate witnesses and perhaps amplifying the faith presented.
  • typhloi: "blind (plural)." Refers to their physical condition, an epitome of human helplessness without divine intervention. It also sets up a common Gospel theme of physical blindness versus spiritual sight, contrasting their insight with the spiritual blindness of many religious leaders.
• followed him, (ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ - ēkolouthēsan autō)
  • ēkolouthēsan: "they followed." Implies persistent pursuit and deliberate action. Despite their disability, they actively sought Jesus out, demonstrating faith.
  • autō: "him." They were drawn directly to Jesus.
• crying, (κράζοντες - krazontes)
  • krazontes: "crying out/shouting." A strong verb denoting a loud, public, and urgent vocalization, born of desperation and deep conviction. It was a plea meant to get attention.
• and saying, (λέγοντες - legontes)
  • legontes: "saying/speaking." Introduces their specific declaration, a direct verbal address to Jesus.
• Thou son of David, (Υἱὲ Δαυίδ - Hyie Dauid)
  • Hyie Dauid: "Son of David." This is a crucial messianic title. It links Jesus directly to the covenant God made with King David (2 Sam 7) and identifies Him as the prophesied rightful heir to David's throne and the Messiah. It suggests a theological understanding beyond mere human recognition of a healer, possibly inspired by divine revelation. This public proclamation contrasts sharply with the common attempts by Jesus to tell others not to reveal His identity as Messiah too early (messianic secret). For the blind men, it is a profound confession of faith.
• have mercy on us. (ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς - eleēson hēmas)
  • eleēson: "have mercy." A direct imperative, a plea for compassion and help based on a recognition of their need and Jesus' ability. It acknowledges His authority and their complete dependence on Him.
  • hēmas: "on us." A collective plea, highlighting their shared suffering and unified request for divine intervention.

Matthew 9 27 Bonus section

The scene of the blind men publicly crying out to Jesus contrasts with several instances in Matthew where Jesus charges those He heals to remain silent about His miracles. This "Messianic Secret" often served to manage public expectations of a political Messiah or to avoid premature confrontation with authorities. Here, however, the direct address "Son of David" from the outset highlights a profound, theologically astute faith, allowing the recognition of Jesus' divine identity to be proclaimed without immediate restriction. Their faith is immediate and explicit, directly identifying Jesus as the promised deliverer whose advent would inaugurate the opening of the eyes, both physically and spiritually. The two blind men are an example of individuals who, despite physical affliction, possess profound spiritual insight, challenging the perception that spiritual insight resides solely within the religious elite of the time.

Matthew 9 27 Commentary

Matthew 9:27 encapsulates a powerful encounter between human desperation and divine compassion. The blind men's spiritual perception, evident in their use of "Son of David," far surpasses their physical limitations, showcasing a faith that penetrates beyond outward appearance to grasp Jesus' true identity as the Messiah. Their persistent pursuit and loud plea for mercy underscore a deep conviction that only Jesus possessed the power to alleviate their suffering. This cry, heard amidst His active ministry, reflects the prophetic expectation that the Anointed One would heal the blind, positioning Jesus as the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. The verse sets the stage for a demonstration of Jesus' authority, showing His ready willingness to respond to genuine, humble faith that acknowledges His messianic kingship and power. It's a fundamental lesson that genuine spiritual sight often perceives Christ when natural sight remains blind.