ACC ~ Matthew 9 v27 - 34

OVERVIEW:

The blind men saw because they believed; they did not believe because they saw (HILARY). Bereft of the light of faith and covered by the veil of the law, they were being held in the gloom of blindness, but their sight was restored as soon as they expressed their faith in the Son of God (CHROMATIUS). What death and disability demonstrated in the previous cases, blindness demonstrated in this case (JEROME). Their eyes having been ruined, these men received faith by hearing alone. Ironically, however, now having sight to witness to what was happening, they were commanded to say nothing. Yet they spread the word everywhere (CHRYSOSTOM).

The demoniac had no tongue to speak for himself, no way to ask on his own behalf, so he was brought to Jesus. As his tongue was chained, so was his soul (CHRYSOSTOM). Just as the blind men received light, so too was this man’s tongue healed (JEROME). The series of miracles occur in a proper order; the devil having been first cast out, the other bodily benefits follow suit. With the folly of all superstitions put to flight by the knowledge of God, sight and hearing and words of healing are offered (HILARY). The Pharisees continued to disparage Jesus’ works, contradicting themselves unashamedly (CHRYSOSTOM).

THEY SAW BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED

HILARY: At that point, two blind men follow the Lord as he was passing by. But if they could not see, how could the blind men know of the Lord’s departure as well as his name? Moreover, they called him “Son of David” and asked to be made well. In the two blind men, the entire earlier prefiguration [1] is complete. The ruler’s daughter seems to be from these people, namely, the Pharisees and John’s disciples, who already made common cause in testing the Lord. To these unknowing persons the law gave evidence as to the one from whom they sought a cure. It indicated to them that their Savior in the flesh was of the line of David. It also introduced light to the minds of those who were blind from past sins. They could not see Christ but were told about him. The Lord showed them that faith should not be expected as a result of health but health should be expected because of faith. The blind men saw because they believed; they did not believe because they saw. From this we understand that what is requested must be predicated on faith and that faith must not be exercised because of what has been obtained. If they should believe, he offers them sight. And he charges the believers to be silent, for it was exclusively the task of the apostles to preach. ON MATTHEW 9.9. [2]

[1] Of the previous narratives.

[2] SC 254:212-14.

BEREFT OF THE LIGHT OF FAITH

CHROMATIUS: According to one allegorical interpretation, these two blind men symbolize the two kingdoms into which the Jews were divided (after Solomon’s death, between Rehoboam and Jeroboam). According to another interpretation, we might consider the people of the Jews and the people of the Gentiles as being prefigured in these two blind men. But this would not be appropriate. For would it be possible for the people of the Gentiles, before being enlightened, to declare Christ to be the Son of David, for they had not heard of the law or the prophets? For that reason, more properly it is understood concerning these two blind men that they did know from the law and the prophets that Christ is the Son of David. Both were blind, therefore, through their own unfaithfulness, for they were not yet able to see the true light, the only Son of God who was foretold in the law and the prophets. Bereft of the light of faith and covered by the veil of the law, they were being held in the gloom of blindness, according to the blessed apostle who says, “To this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord the veil is removed.” [1] And again: “For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.” [2] Therefore sight was restored to these blind men as soon as they expressed their faith in the Son of God. This shows that whoever from these two peoples should believe that the Son of God came to save humankind would receive knowledge of the true light as soon as the blindness of error is removed. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 48.2. [3]

[1] 2 Cor 3:15-16.

[2] 2 Cor 3:14.

[3] CCL 9a:437.

9:28 | Do You Believe?

WHEN THEY ENTERED HIS HOUSE

JEROME: As the Lord Jesus was passing on from the ruler’s house and proceeding to his own (as we read above): “And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city,” [1] suddenly “two blind men cried out and said, ‘Have pity on us, Son of David!’” They are not healed along the route, as they might expect, but only after he reached his house. They approach him and go inside. First, their faith is discussed that they may receive the light of true faith. Another sign is added to the first sign we mentioned about the ruler’s daughter and the woman with a hemorrhage, so that what death and disability demonstrated in the one case, blindness demonstrated in the other. Both men were blind at the time the Lord was passing through this world on the way to his house. Unless they had exclaimed “Have pity on us, Son of David!” and in answer to Jesus’ question “Do you believe that I can do this to you?” affirmed “Yes, Lord,” they would not have received the pristine light. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.9.27. [2]

[1] Mt 9:1.

[2] CCL 77:60-61.

9:29 | Healed According to Their Faith

JESUS QUESTIONS THEM

CHRYSOSTOM: For what purpose did it happen that, while they are crying out, he delays and questions them further? Here again Jesus is teaching us utterly to resist the glory that comes from the crowd. There was a house nearby. He led them into the house to heal them there in private. Then he charged them to tell no one. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.1. [1]

[1] PG 57:377; NPNF 1 10:210**.

9:30 | Silence Commanded

TELL NO ONE

CHRYSOSTOM: This command to silence is itself no light charge against the religious leadership. The eyes of these two men had been ruined. They then received faith by hearing alone. They themselves could now see this miracle. Ironically, however, having now sight to witness to what was happening, they were commanded to say nothing. You can hear their earnestness in their loud cries, in their pleading simply for mercy and in their supplications. So they called him Son of David, because that name was above all thought to be honorable, the name that the prophets called those whom they wished most to commend and declare great. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.1. [1]

[1] PG 57:377; NPNF 1 10:210-11**.

9:31 | They Spread His Fame

THEY REVEALED WHAT JESUS HAD DONE

CHRYSOSTOM: The blind men did not follow his instruction but immediately became preachers and evangelists. Though asked to hide what had been done, they revealed it. Remember that elsewhere he had said to a different hearer, “Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you.” [1] This does not run contrary to what he says here but complementary to it. For it teaches us that we should say nothing about ourselves. In fact, it even teaches that we should prevent those who want to praise us from doing so. But it also teaches that if the glory would be offered up to God, not only should we not prevent this but we should even command that it be done. [2] THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.1. [3]

[1] Lk 8:39; cf. Mk 5:19.

[2] The command to let no one know about the healing of the blind men provides an example of humility but does not forbid us from giving glory to God when God acts on our behalf.

[3] PG 57:378; NPNF 1 10:211**.

9:32 | A Demoniac Brought to Jesus

A DEMONIAC

CHRYSOSTOM: For the condition was not a natural one but was the scheme of a demon. [1] It is also for this reason that the man needs others to lead him to Jesus. For he could not make a request by himself, because he was unable to speak; and he also could not petition others, because the demon had bound his tongue and along with his tongue had shackled his soul. Because of this Jesus did not even demand faith from him but immediately corrected the man’s disorder. For it says, “After the demon had been cast out, the mute person spoke.”

“And the crowds were amazed, saying, ‘It has never been seen this way in Israel.’” This statement especially bothered the Pharisees, because the crowds placed Jesus before everyone else—not merely before people who lived at that time but even before all who had ever lived. And they put him first, not because he was healing people but because he healed easily; he healed quickly; he healed countless cases of disease; he healed diseases that were incurable. Hence the people reacted in this way. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.1. [2]

[1] Jesus treated diseases caused by a demon in a way different from normal diseases. Various features of his healings also set him apart from others who healed. His exorcisms, healings and other activities demonstrated his true origin.

[2] PG 57:378; NPNF 1 10:211.

HIS TONGUE LOOSENED

JEROME: What is called in Greek kophos is more commonly known as deaf rather than dumb, but the Scriptures indiscriminately use kophos to mean dumb or deaf. Spiritually, just as the blind men receive light, so too the dumb man’s tongue is loosened that he may speak and give glory to him whom he once rejected. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.9.33. [1]

[1] CCL 77:61-62.

9:33 | Nothing Like This Seen in Israel

THE PROPER ORDER OF THE SEQUENCE OF MIRACLES

HILARY: In the deaf and dumb and demoniac appear the need of the Gentiles for a complete healing. Beleaguered on all sides by misfortune, they were associated with all types of the body’s infirmities. And in this regard a proper order of things is observed. For the devil is first cast out; then the other bodily benefits follow suit. With the folly of all superstitions put to flight by the knowledge of God, sight and hearing and words of healing are introduced. The declaration of the onlookers followed their admiration over what took place: “Never has the like been seen in Israel.” Indeed, he whom the law could not help was made well by the power of the Word, and the deaf and dumb man spoke the praises of God. Deliverance has been given to the Gentiles. All the towns and all the villages are enlightened by the power and presence of Christ, and the people are freed from every impairment of the timeless malady. ON MATTHEW 9.10. [1]

[1] SC 254:214.

THE CROWDS MARVELED

CHRYSOSTOM: The affliction of the dumb demoniac was not natural. It was the work of the evil spirit. So it was that the demoniac was “brought to him.” For he had no tongue to speak for himself, no way to ask on his own behalf, being speechless. He could not petition another, since the evil spirit had bound his tongue. And as his tongue was fettered, so was his soul.

This is why Jesus did not require a confession of faith from him. He straightway healed the disease. “And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel.’” THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.1. [1]

[1] PG 57:378; NPNF 1 10:211**.

9:34 | Cast Out by the Prince of Demons?

THE PHARISAIC COMPLAINT

CHRYSOSTOM: Now this healing especially vexed the Pharisees. They were disturbed that Jesus was being exalted above all others, not only those who are but all who had ever been. For he did what he did so easily and quickly. He cured diseases innumerable and otherwise incurable. The crowd exalted him. But the Pharisees continued to disparage his works, contradicting themselves unashamedly. Such a thing is wickedness—which finds itself desperately saying, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

What could be more absurd than this! For in the first place, as he also says later on, it is impossible for demons to cast out demons. [1] For it is a demon’s custom to clap in applause at the activities of his own kind, not oppose them. Second, not only did he himself cast out demons, but he also purified lepers, raised dead people, reined in the sea, canceled sins, proclaimed the kingdom and approached the Father. Demons would never choose to do these things and would not ever be able to accomplish them. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.2. [2]

[1] Mt 12:25-26.

[2] PG 57:378; NPNF 1 10:211-12**.