Luke 18:39Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although those present tried to silence him, he remained undeterred in his quest for Jesus: true faith is capable of overcoming all obstacles. Though people may push back, the believer persists, unwavering in their dedication to the Lord, understanding that even a bold approach is commendable when driven by devotion. If many abandon modesty for the sake of wealth, then surely, is it not far more justifiable to exhibit a measure of boldness for the sake of one's spiritual salvation? This narrative reflects on the blind man healed by Christ, Zacchaeus, as well as the themes of judgment and charity, drawing from the teachings attributed to St. John Chrysostom, which are categorized as Spuria in Minya's edition.

Be astonished, if you will, at the unwavering nature of his declaration, observing how, despite numerous attempts to silence him, he grew even more vocal, lifting his voice in fervent cries; for an inner fervor compelled him.

Let them also be amazed at the steadfastness with which he acknowledged Him. For some attempted to scold him for his declaration of faith; however, he did not relent or stop his tears, but instead urged the ignorance of those who criticized him to quiet down.

They obstructed and discouraged the blind man from approaching Jesus, which caused him to cry out even more fervently. When he inquired, "Who is this?" they responded, "Jesus of Nazareth" (cf. Luke 18:36-37). He understood that their intention was not one of love; rather, he abandoned what was associated with his adversaries and embraced what belonged to his allies. "Son of David, have mercy on me!" he exclaimed, driven by their efforts to impede him, for they feared that if he saw the grace of God, it would diminish their animosity towards Him.

They prevented him from speaking in order to avoid disturbing the Teacher. Son of David - See v. 38

Let us reflect on the aftermath of the blind man's cries. Those who walked before Christ attempted to silence him. What do these individuals represent if not the clamor of worldly desires and the insurrection of vices? These distractions scatter our thoughts with their temptations and mute the cries of our hearts in prayer until Jesus draws near to our souls. Frequently, when we seek to turn back to the Lord after our transgressions, striving to beseech Him for His pardon, the memories of our wrongdoings flood our minds, dulling our focus, besmirching our spirits, and leaving no space for the cries of our prayers.

Observe the attributes of faith, fervor, and courage. He had faith that Jesus Christ could bring illumination to his life. When he learned that this man was nearby, he fervently called out with a passionate spirit and great determination: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” It seems he was informed by the prophecies of the holy Prophets, which foretold that the Savior of the world would arise from the lineage of David. Believing that Jesus Christ was indeed the one anticipated by these prophecies, he exclaimed with profound hope: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Despite the objections of those around him who urged him to be quiet, he remained resolute in his faith, trust, and spirited zeal, and “cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’”

As He journeyed through Jericho with His followers, a crowd surrounded the Lord, marking their passage six hours from Jerusalem. Approaching the city, a voice pierced the air, calling out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" This was the voice of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar. In his plea, he acknowledged Jesus with the revered title of Son of David, recognizing Him as the Messiah. Those around him, understanding the Messiah's greatness through their own perspective rather than His teachings to the disciples, tried to silence the blind man, insisting he refrain from interrupting. Nevertheless, Bartimaeus persisted, crying out, "Son of David, have mercy on me." Eventually, Jesus halted His progress, instructed that the man be brought to Him, and upon asking him what he desired, restored his sight.

The accounts of this incident provided by the evangelists illustrate two main distinctions. Firstly, while Matthew refers to two blind men who were restored to sight, both Mark and Luke mention only one. Additionally, Matthew and Mark indicate that this miracle occurred as Jesus was leaving the city, whereas Luke places the event at the time of His entry. It is clear that there were indeed two men healed; however, in the early church tradition, the name of one, Bartimaeus, as noted by Mark, has been particularly highlighted. Consequently, the narrative of the event in apostolic times might have been frequently linked specifically to Bartimaeus.

They cried out fervently and persistently, so much so that those in front of them tried to hush them, yet they remained unwavering, calling out for the mercy of Jesus.

This quickly stirred within them a profound hope, causing them to overlook all other assistance and to call out to Him, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” The crowd attempted to hush them, deeming their loud appeals inappropriate for someone who was about to enter Jerusalem as the Messiah of His people. However, Christ heard their pleas and was touched by His compassionate heart. He paused and instructed them to come to Him.

The narrative detailing the healing of the blind man in Jericho found in Luke's Gospel closely resembles Mark's version. Mark focuses on a single blind individual, while Matthew references two (see Mk 10:46-52 and Mt 20:29-34). However, a key difference lies in the timing of the miracle; Mark suggests it occurred upon the Lord's departure from Jericho, contrary to Luke's indication that it might have happened when He was approaching the city. The Greek term used in Luke, ἐγγγι'ζειν, can be understood as being near something, though it does not unequivocally specify whether this was at the entrance or exit of Jericho. The accounts of Mark and Matthew affirm the healing occurred when the Lord was leaving the city, and Luke's wording does not contradict this view.