Matthew 21:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Christ demonstrates His sovereignty not merely through authority but also by curing a multitude of infirmities. 'And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.' In this act, He reveals His strength and dominion.

The lame and the blind approached Him in the temple, and He restored their health. In healing the afflicted, He demonstrates His divine nature and His righteousness in expelling the unworthy from the temple. This also highlights that, subsequent to the removal of the Jews, who were bound by the law and the practices of animal sacrifice, the lame and blind from among the Gentiles were accepted and healed by Him.

Had He not cast out the money changers and the sellers of doves, the blind would remain sightless and the lame would not merit the chance to walk again.

Anyone who does not pursue virtue directly is disabled, and anyone who fails to comprehend what is good is blind.

As it is written by St Matthew, they approached Him in the Temple—the blind and the lame—who gathered around Him as the common Savior of all who suffer, and He restored them to health. Innocent, the Archbishop of Kherson, comments that such an outpouring of miracles should have heightened the universal joy even further, especially as the solemn cries of "hosanna" began to resonate within the temple. It was particularly moving to witness small children, mirroring their elders, exclaiming, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Jesus held a special affection for children, who embody a simplicity and honesty that warms the hearts of all. However, the chief priests and scribes, consumed by their resentment, willfully shut their eyes, refusing to acknowledge the miracles performed by Christ. In their frustration and scorn, they whispered to one another, "Do you see that nothing aids us? The entire world is following Him!"

Simultaneously, as a humble and redeeming Sovereign, He ensured that no afflicted individual was deprived of solace and support; to all who approached Him in the temple seeking assistance, He bestowed healing through His divine authority.

Once the temple was purified, all those who were blind and lame present there approached Jesus, and He healed them. The evangelist focuses solely on the restoration of the blind and lame in the temple; however, it is reasonable to conclude that all the afflicted and ailing within Jerusalem at that time eagerly sought His healing touch. It is unlikely they would miss the opportunity to encounter Jesus, the Son of David, who had come in the name of the Lord. He remained in Jerusalem throughout the day, and since the only events that transpired were the driving out of the merchants, the healing of the blind and lame in the temple, and a brief dialogue with the chief priests and scribes, we can infer that the remainder of His time was spent ministering to the suffering.

The presence of the Lord of the Temple was immediately acknowledged, drawing to Him the compassionate Healer of ailments all those who sought not merely a trivial gift but the unique restoration only He could provide—healing. The blind and the lame surrounded Him, receiving the healing they had anticipated.