Luke 18:36Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The blind man inquired, "What is happening?" They replied, "Jesus of Nazareth" (Lk 18:36-37). Realizing that their words were not motivated by genuine concern for him, he still viewed them not as adversaries but as allies, calling out, "Son of David! Have mercy on me" (Luke 18:38). Yet they restrained him, fearing that if his sight were restored, they would face retribution.

This individual was entirely sightless. He could not see Jesus Christ nor the crowd of individuals moving along the path where he was positioned; he perceived only the commotion and shouts of those accompanying Christ as they went by, and upon hearing it, he inquired, “What is this?”

As the Lord and His disciples journeyed towards Jerusalem, they passed through Jericho, situated approximately six hours away. Upon nearing the city, a voice rose above the crowd, crying out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" This voice belonged to a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. He boldly addressed Jesus with His esteemed title, acknowledging Him as the Son of David and the promised Messiah. The onlookers, who had their own conceptions of the Messiah's grandeur, attempted to silence the blind beggar, urging him not to trouble Jesus with his persistent pleas. Undeterred, the beggar continued to shout, "Son of David, have mercy on me." At last, Jesus halted, commanded that the man be brought to Him, and, upon inquiring about his need, restored his sight.

The accounts of this event by the evangelists present two distinct variations. First, while Matthew recounts the healing of two blind men, both Mark and Luke focus on only one. Additionally, Matthew and Mark describe the occurrence as taking place when departing the city, whereas Luke situates it during the city's entry. It is clear that two individuals were healed; however, within the apostolic tradition, the name of one, specifically Bartimaeus as noted by Mark, has been notably preserved. Consequently, the narrative of the event in early Christian circles often became associated with the single figure of Bartimaeus.

As Jesus was departing from Jericho, two blind men were positioned by the roadside, seeking alms. Upon hearing the commotion from a throng of people, they inquired, "What is this noise?" When informed that it was Jesus approaching, these blind men, likely aware of His miraculous deeds and the belief that some identified Him as the awaited Messiah, seized this moment to seek healing. They called out fervently, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" (Matthew 20:30).

Upon hearing the remarkable sounds of the crowd in a heightened state of enthusiasm, they discovered that Jesus of Nazareth was on His way, whose miraculous deeds had become widely known throughout the land.

The narrative of the healing of the blind man in Jericho, as recounted by Luke, bears similarities to Mark's version. While Mark mentions a solitary blind man, Matthew refers to two (see Mk. 10:46-52 and Mt. 20:29-34). Notably, the accounts differ in that Mark indicates the healing occurred as the Lord was departing from Jericho, whereas Luke's wording suggests it may have happened while He was approaching the city. The Greek term employed by Luke, ἐγγγι'ζειν, signifies being near to something, thus it can be understood as when the Lord was close to Jericho. The specific moment of this proximity—whether at the entrance or exit—is not distinctly established by the term, yet it aligns with the accounts of the other two Evangelists.

After a long journey through a barren region, the travelers beheld the ancient city known for its palm trees, Jericho, lush with vibrant foliage. At the city's entrance, a destitute blind man was seated, seeking alms. The commotion and chatter from the crowd following the Lord drew his attention. Realizing that the renowned Miracle Worker, Jesus of Nazareth, was near, the blind man shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." In this heartfelt plea, he demonstrated his profound faith in Christ as the true Messiah from David's line.