Matthew 9:28 kjv

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.

Matthew 9:28 nkjv

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."

Matthew 9:28 niv

When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.

Matthew 9:28 esv

When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."

Matthew 9:28 nlt

They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, "Do you believe I can make you see?" "Yes, Lord," they told him, "we do."

Matthew 9 verses

Matthew 9 28 Meaning

Matthew 9:28 describes Jesus entering a house, where He is followed by two blind men. Jesus directly questions them, asking if they believe He possesses the power to restore their sight. Their simple yet profound affirmative response, "Yes, Lord," sets the stage for their subsequent healing, highlighting the critical role of faith in their interaction with Him. This exchange emphasizes that healing is not just an automatic act, but often intertwined with the recipient's conviction in Jesus' divine authority and ability.

Matthew 9 28 Context

Matthew chapter 9 showcases Jesus' multifaceted authority—over sin (healing the paralytic), over social norms (calling Matthew the tax collector and dining with sinners), over the law (fasting discussion), and over disease and death (healing the woman with the flow of blood, raising Jairus's daughter). Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has just healed a woman and raised a girl from the dead. Following these miracles, He enters a private dwelling. The two blind men from the preceding verse (Mt 9:27) have persistently followed Him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" Their persistence is notable as they enter the house where Jesus withdraws. In Jewish society, physical blindness was a significant disability, often perceived as a sign of sin or a curse, isolating individuals and relegating them to begging. The expectation of the Messiah, often called "Son of David," included the opening of blind eyes (Isa 35:5; Isa 42:7), so their cry reflects a profound Messianic recognition and belief in Jesus' power.

Matthew 9 28 Word analysis

• And when he was come into the house, (Greek: Kai elthonta eis tēn oikian auton)

  • And when: Indicates continuity with the previous event of raising Jairus's daughter and healing the woman.
  • he was come into: Shows a deliberate act of entering. This withdrawal into the house (oikian) is significant. It suggests a move away from the public spectacle, a seeking of a more private space. Jesus often withdraws into a house for intimate teaching or a focused interaction, removing distractions and crowds. This emphasizes a more personal encounter for the miracle about to happen.
  • the house: Specificity ("the" house) suggests either a known residence (perhaps Peter's or Matthew's in Capernaum, as hinted at elsewhere in Matthew) or simply a private dwelling where Jesus sought respite. The men followed Him, showing their desperate resolve and determination, overcoming potential social barriers or physical limitations to reach Him.

• the blind men came to him: (Greek: proselthon autō hoi typhloi)

  • the blind men: Refers to the two individuals mentioned in Mt 9:27. Their presence despite their blindness, specifically seeking out Jesus, highlights their profound need and persistent pursuit.
  • came to him: Denotes proactive approach and determination. This was not a chance encounter; they actively sought Jesus out, continuing their plea. This active pursuit is a hallmark of genuine faith.

• and Jesus saith unto them, (Greek: kai legei autois ho Iēsous)

  • and Jesus saith unto them: Marks a direct engagement, a specific question addressed to them, rather than an automatic healing. Jesus frequently engaged with people's faith.

• Believe ye that I am able to do this? (Greek: Pisteuete hoti dynatai touto poiēsai?)

  • Believe ye: (Pisteuete) This is a direct challenge to their faith, central to the healing. It's a plural imperative, emphasizing individual and collective belief. This isn't just a mental assent but a conviction and trust. Jesus often linked His power to the recipient's faith.
  • that I am able: (hoti dynatai) The crucial part of the question. Dynatai refers to inherent power, capability, or might. Jesus asks if they believe He possesses the ability to perform this miracle, connecting their faith directly to His divine authority and strength. It's not a question of willingness, but ability.
  • to do this? (touto poiēsai?) "This" specifically refers to opening their eyes and restoring their sight. It pinpoints the exact nature of the requested miracle.

• They said unto him, Yea, Lord. (Greek: Legousin autō, Nai, Kyrie)

  • They said unto him: A united, immediate response, indicating agreement and shared conviction.
  • Yea: (Nai) A strong affirmation, a definite "Yes." It's an unambiguous declaration of their belief.
  • Lord: (Kyrie) This title is significant. While it could simply mean "sir" or "master" in a respectful sense, in this context, after proclaiming Jesus as "Son of David" (Mt 9:27) and acknowledging His divine "ability" (dynatai), "Lord" implies more than mere respect; it conveys a recognition of His divine power, authority, and possibly His Messiahship. This declaration expresses their submission to His power and trust in His person.

Matthew 9 28 Bonus section

The scene of Jesus entering a house after performing public miracles appears multiple times in the Gospels. It often signals a shift from broad public interaction to more personal or private encounters, whether for teaching, specific healing, or strategic withdrawal. This shows that the two blind men were not merely part of a pressing crowd but sought out Jesus specifically, continuing their plea beyond the initial public space. Their entering the house highlights their deep determination and disregard for social etiquette often associated with physical disability, as their desperation pushed them beyond conventional boundaries to reach their Healer. The consistent recognition of Jesus as "Son of David" by the afflicted throughout Matthew's Gospel (e.g., Mt 15:22, Mt 20:30-31) confirms the growing understanding and popular expectation of Him as the promised Messiah who would fulfill prophecies, including opening the eyes of the blind. Jesus' question itself served not only to elicit their faith but also to publicly acknowledge it, setting an example for those present, implicitly teaching the connection between faith and receiving God's power.

Matthew 9 28 Commentary

Matthew 9:28 captures a pivotal moment where Jesus tests and draws out the faith of the two blind men. Their persistent pursuit into a private dwelling after Jesus speaks volumes of their desperation and conviction that He alone could help them. Jesus' question, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?", is not asked out of doubt on His part, but to affirm their faith, making it a conscious act of trust rather than just a passive reception of a miracle. This is a recurring theme in Matthew's Gospel; faith is frequently highlighted as the catalyst for receiving divine healing or intervention (Mt 9:22, Mt 9:29). Their simple yet powerful "Yea, Lord" demonstrates an unshakeable belief in His inherent power and His identity, likely embracing His Messianic claims signaled by "Son of David" in the previous verse. This dialogue underscores that while Jesus' power is absolute, He often honors and acts in response to genuine, active faith. It reveals a relational aspect to Jesus' miracles, where human belief aligns with divine will, opening the way for God's power to manifest.Examples: This principle reminds us that even for clear answers to prayer, a genuine conviction in God's power and willingness is often prerequisite (e.g., healing, deliverance from addiction, provision of needs).