“Believe ye that I am able to do this?”
The full verse · Matthew 9:28 · KJV
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Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, who had just raised the ruler's daughter (Matthew 9:25)
Asked to
Two Blind Men: two blind men who followed Jesus crying, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on us" (Matthew 9:27)
The Scene
As Jesus leaves the place where He raised the ruler's daughter, two blind men follow Him crying for mercy, and when He enters the house they come to Him (Matthew 9:25-28).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus asked to draw out their faith in Him openly. The blind men had followed Him in the street, but Barnes notes that "thus far he had not seemed to heed their cries," "probably for the trial of their faith." Jesus went into the house, Barnes thinks probably to avoid the tumult and publicity of the street, and they kept coming. Now Jesus asked them to say plainly what they believed about His power. Gill says the question was not asked as if Jesus were ignorant of their faith, but so they could profess it. Their cry "Son of David" (Matthew 9:27) was already, as Barnes explains, a profession that He was the Messiah.
The Response
What Scripture recordsThey answered, "Yea, Lord" (Matthew 9:28). "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened" (Matthew 9:29-30). Jesus "straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it" (Matthew 9:30). But they went out and "spread abroad his fame in all that country" (Matthew 9:31).
Historical Context
The world behind the words"Son of David" was a title for the Messiah, the promised King from David's line. Barnes says that by the Son of David "the Jews meant the Messiah," so the blind men's cry was a profession of faith that Jesus was the Christ.
In Greek, Jesus' question is pisteuete hoti dynamai touto poiesai, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" The verb dynamai, "I am able," puts the focus on His power.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question shows that Jesus wants more than our need; He wants our trust. The blind men already knew they needed sight. Jesus asked whether they believed He could give it. Matthew Henry writes, "The great question is, Do ye believe? Nature may make us earnest, but it is only grace that can work faith."
The healing fits a pattern through Matthew 9. Jesus saw the faith of those who brought the paralytic (Matthew 9:2), told the woman "thy faith hath made thee whole" (Matthew 9:22), and here said, "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29). Gill is careful to say faith was not "the cause or condition of this cure." Rather, as they had believed He was able to heal them, so the cure was done.
Look Closer
What did the blind men's cry "Son of David" show?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, You asked the blind men whether they believed You were able; where do I need You to help me answer "Yea, Lord" today?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The blind men kept following even when Jesus seemed not to answer. What keeps you coming to Him when an answer is slow?
- Tell about a time when saying out loud what you believed about Jesus made a difference for you or someone else.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Jesus' question is still worth hearing when you come to Him: do you believe He is able? You do not need perfect words. The blind men's whole answer was "Yea, Lord."
If an answer seems slow, keep coming. These men followed Jesus down the road and into the house before He spoke to them.
This does not mean the size of your faith forces God's hand, or that unanswered prayers prove weak faith. Gill reminds us that faith was not the cause of the cure. Your faith rests on His ability, not on your own strength of feeling.
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