We are more familiar with the Markan story of the cure of the blind Bartimaeus out of which Matthew developed the story of the two blind men. This prepares for Jesus’ answer to the emissaries of John the Baptist that the works of the Messiah would involve the cure of the blind men (Mt 11:4). The two blind men call Jesus “Son of David,” that is, the Messiah.

The Messiah was expected to restore the glory of the Davidic reign. Was the Messiah also thought to bring healing? Most probably, in the original context, the faith of the blind men consists mainly in their confidence that Jesus can do what they ask him. They are placing their trust on someone they know, even if only in a very limited way.

This is implied in Jesus’ query: “Do you believe that I can do this?” But read on the second level—that of Matthew and his community— Jesus as the Davidic Messiah is the fulfiller of the ancient prophecies. A sign of the age of salvation that Jesus brings is healing from blindness: “Here is your God, he comes with vindication…

Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy” (Is 35:4-6). The healing of blindness is also a sign of God’s sovereign power: the Messiah, the servant of God, is set as a covenant of the people… to open the eyes of the blind (Is 42:6-7).

Thus says the Lord God: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; all who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim.

Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham: Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, They shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” 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. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.