“What will ye that I shall do unto you?”
The full verse · Matthew 20:32 · KJV
stood , and , , will that I shall unto ?
Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, leaving Jericho with a great multitude on the way to Jerusalem (Matthew 20:29)
Asked to
Two Blind Men: two blind men sitting by the way side outside Jericho, who cried, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David" (Matthew 20:30)
The Scene
As Jesus leaves Jericho with a great multitude, two blind men by the way side cry out to Him as "Son of David," and keep crying louder when the crowd rebukes them (Matthew 20:29-31).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus knew what blind men needed, yet He stopped and asked. Gill says He asked "not as being ignorant of their desires, but to show both his power and willingness to do anything for them they should ask; and that their faith in him might be made manifest." Gill also notes that the crowd would be prepared to see the miracle. The question let the men speak for themselves after the crowd had tried to silence them. Matthew Henry adds, "Christ encouraged them."
The Response
What Scripture recordsThey answered, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened" (Matthew 20:33). "So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him" (Matthew 20:34). Their first act with their new sight was to follow Jesus.
Historical Context
The world behind the words"Son of David" was a title for the Messiah. Barnes explains that it "was the name by which the Messiah was commonly known," since the Jews expected the Messiah to descend from David.
Matthew records two blind men; Mark and Luke tell of one, and Mark names him Bartimaeus, "the son of Timaeus" (Mark 10:46). Barnes says the accounts do not conflict: Mark and Luke mention one because he was probably well known, but "They do not say, however, that there was no more than one." Mark adds that the blind man cast away his garment and came to Jesus (Mark 10:50).
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyJesus asked nearly the same question just a few verses earlier, to the mother of Zebedee's children: "What wilt thou?" (Matthew 20:21). There the request was for places of honor. Here it is for mercy and sight. The same Lord who would not grant a throne on request had compassion and opened blind eyes (Matthew 20:34). His question invites people to say what they truly need.
On the road to Jerusalem, where He would give His life "a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28), Jesus "stood still" for two blind men the crowd wanted silenced. Matthew Henry writes, "There is mercy enough in Christ for all that ask." He also notes how the healing ends: "None follow Christ blindly. He first by his grace opens men's eyes, and so draws their hearts after him."
Look Closer
What did the multitude do when the blind men cried out?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, You stopped for those the crowd tried to silence; what do You want me to bring to You plainly today?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Jesus asked the blind men to say what they wanted. What makes it hard for you to tell Him plainly what you need?
- Tell about a time someone kept praying or asking for help even when others told them to be quiet.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Jesus still stops for people others overlook. If you feel your cry is too loud, too late, or too small, remember that He "stood still, and called them" (Matthew 20:32). You can tell Him plainly what you need.
Notice the difference between this request and the one in Matthew 20:21. The blind men asked for mercy, and they used their sight to follow Him. Ask Jesus for what you truly need, and when He answers, follow Him.
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