The Gospel of Matthew
Passing through Jericho: 20,29-33
The one blind beggar in Mark has become two beggars in Matthew. This may be to increase their value as witnesses.
Mark's account of the healing of the blind beggar Baritmaeus is among his most powerful stories. It ends with Batimaeus who now has the sight of faith, following Jesus "on the way".
Matthew has simplified the story by omitting the way the beggar came to Jesus in Mark, Mk 10,49-50. The role of the crowd is lessened. Instead and typically of Matthew, Jesus calls the two beggars directly. Three times they call Jesus "Lord", that is, give Jesus his Christian title.
The beggars call Jesus "Son of David", a title which we have seen is associated with Jesus and healing, 12,23 for example. This also anticpates the crowd's cry as Jesus enters Jerusalem, 21,9.
In verse 33, Matthew has altered Mark to say "Lord may our eyes be opened". This makes the allusion to the two references to Isaiah, Is 29 18 and especially Is 35,5.
Matthew has also added in verse 34 the comment that Jesus was moved with compassion and touched their eyes.
He has eft out Mark's conclusion that the beggar followed Jesus "on the way", Mk 10,52. As edited by Matthew, this has become less of a story about conversion as with Bartimaeus and more a story about faith in the Jesus who opens our eyes.
We can now return to the main page.