Luke 18:42Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Do you notice how our actions affirm what we discussed yesterday? We pointed out that divine favors are unattainable through purchase, but rather, they are granted solely through faith. The Lord Jesus does not exchange graces for financial gain, but offers them freely to those who believe. Without faith, one cannot receive these graces; while grace is effective, it is always preceded by faith. Let's consider an analogy: there's a single fountain, yet some individuals draw from it using small containers while others use larger ones. Naturally, those with smaller vessels will collect less water, while those with larger ones will receive more. This disparity does not arise from the fountain itself determining the amount, but from the individual’s own containers.

He remarks, “Your faith has saved you,” acknowledging your belief in me as the Christ, the Son of David, whom you have heard proclaimed. Your passionate conviction led you to speak out boldly despite discouragement. From this, we discern that when we petition with genuine faith, it is not the case that we inquire of one thing and receive something entirely different from the Lord; instead, we obtain exactly what we request. However, if our petitions lead to a different outcome, that serves as evidence that we are not asking for what is truly good, nor are we doing so in faith. It is written, “You ask, and receive not, because you ask not for good” (James 4:3). Additionally, consider the authority expressed in the word “see.” Which of the prophets possessed such power to heal in this manner? Thus, the voice emanating from the true Light (John 1:9) became illumination for the afflicted individual.

When he articulated the essence of his plea, by stating, "Lord, that I may see," it was then that Christ's declaration served as a rebuke to the unbelief of the Jewish people. He asserted with unmatched authority, "See." What a remarkable proclamation! It is divine in nature and surpasses human understanding. Which of the esteemed prophets ever spoke with such command or employed words of such profound authority? Observe that He did not seek the intervention of another in restoring sight to the blind, nor did He call upon God to perform a divine wonder. Instead, He attributed the act to His own divine power and, by His omnipotent will, brought about what He desired. "Receive, He said, thy sight," and this declaration was light for the blind man, for it came from Him who is the true light.

What was the Lord's response to him? “See! Your faith has saved you.” He did not say, “Your faith has granted you sight,” indicating that faith was the initial source of his salvation, followed by the restoration of his vision. Although his inner sight was illuminated, his physical eyes were still blind. The Lord then made his external sight as clear as his internal perception, allowing him to see and recognize when he desired to draw near to Him.

As Jesus was nearing Jericho, a blind man sat by the roadside. This moment, as well as the story of Zacchaeus, signals the beginning of an important lesson (cf. Lk. 18:35-43; cf. Mt. 20:29-34; Mk. 10:46-52; cf. Lk. 19:1-10). Matthew mentions two blind individuals, while here we encounter only one; in that narrative, the Lord was leaving Jericho, whereas in this account, He was arriving. Nevertheless, the message remains unchanged: this solitary blind man symbolizes the Gentile nations who received the restoration of their spiritual sight through the Lord’s grace. The method by which healing occurs—whether through one person or two—holds no significance. The symbolism of these two blind men reflects the ancestry of the Gentile people, tracing back to Ham and Japheth (see: Gen. 10:1-20).

He held the belief that Christ was not divine but possessed the power to heal him. Out of gratitude, he chose to follow Him, seeking to express his appreciation for the blessing received.

Thus, when a blind person receives sight, the immediate response is appropriate: Your faith has saved you. However, the materialistic mindset raises an objection: How can I seek spiritual illumination that I cannot perceive? How can I be certain of a light that does not brighten the physical eyes? This line of thinking can be addressed simply, for what is felt by the individual is experienced not through the body but through the spirit. No one can see their soul, yet no one doubts its existence. The soul, though unseen, silently directs the visible body. If this invisible essence were to be removed, the visible form that once stood would immediately fall. Therefore, if in this tangible existence a being is enlivened by the invisible, is there any basis for questioning the existence of a life that is unseen?

The healing of the blind man stands as a remarkable testament, among many others, to the divinity of Jesus Christ. Who else possesses the ability to restore sight to the blind with a mere word but God, who is omnipotent? “See!” He proclaimed. Witness the voice of the Almighty, the voice of the Divine! He who commanded, “Let there be light,” and light came into existence, is indeed the true God and Creator. This same being declared, “See,” and once more, “See.” Observe how the God-Man, in His usual manner, did not credit the miracle to His own divine power, but rather to the faith of the blind man—“Your faith has saved you”—and guided him away from emptiness.

As the Lord and His followers journeyed through Jericho, approximately six hours from Jerusalem, they were accompanied by a large crowd. As they neared the city, a voice broke through the noise, crying out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" This plea came from a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, who directly addressed Jesus by His esteemed title, Son of David, the Anointed One. The onlookers, perceiving the Messiah's greatness in their own limited understanding, urged the blind man to cease his bothersome cries. Nevertheless, the blind man persisted, repeating, "Son of David, have mercy on me." Ultimately, Jesus stopped and commanded that the man be brought to Him. Inquiring about his needs, He restored the man's sight.

The accounts provided by the Gospel writers regarding this event present two notable distinctions. First, while Matthew mentions two blind men who were restored to sight, Mark and Luke refer to only one. Second, Matthew and Mark indicate that this miracle occurred as Jesus was departing the city, whereas Luke records it as happening upon His arrival. It is clear that two men were healed in this instance; however, the apostolic tradition has particularly preserved the name of one, Bartimaeus, as noted by Mark. This suggests that the narrative surrounding the event in early Church tradition sometimes emphasized the figure of Bartimaeus alone.

Jesus instructed him to go, affirming that his faith had restored him. Instantly, he regained his vision and began to follow Jesus along the path. When questioned about his request, Bartimaeus replied that he desired to see. Jesus declared that his faith had brought him healing. At that moment, it is likely that another blind man approached with a similar plea. Moved by compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and they were immediately granted sight, subsequently joining Him in praise. Observing this miraculous event, the crowd glorified God.

The crowd then shifted their attitude and spoke to Bartimaeus, who had fervently cried out for mercy in his time of trouble: "Do not be afraid, get up, he is calling for you." Filled with joy, he quickly removed his cloak, leaped to his feet, and made his way toward Jesus. "What do you wish for me to do?" inquired the Savior. "Rabboni," the man responded, addressing Jesus with the highest respect he could offer, "that I may receive my sight." "Go," said Christ, "your faith has healed you." He touched the eyes of the blind men, and instantly their sight was restored, and they began to follow him, glorifying God.

The narrative of the healing of the blind man in Jericho, as recounted by Luke, shares similarities with Mark's account. Mark focuses on a singular blind individual, while Matthew mentions two; this is evidenced by comparing Mark 10:46-52 with Matthew 20:29-34. However, a key distinction arises in the timing of the healing: Mark suggests it occurred as Jesus was departing Jericho, while Luke's wording indicates it might have transpired when the Lord was approaching the city. The Greek term employed by Luke, ἐγγγι'ζειν, signifies being near something from any direction. Consequently, it could imply that the healing occurred when Jesus was near Jericho, though the specific entry or exit point is not explicitly clarified by this term.