And when he came into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said unto them,
You believe that I am able to do this?
They said unto him, Yes, Lord.
Read Chapter 9
Jerome
AD 420
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,” 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. .
And having brought them into the house, He puts to them a further question. For in many cases He made a point of healing on entreaty, lest any should suppose Him to be rushing upon these miracles through vainglory: and not on this account alone, but to indicate also that they deserve healing, and that no one should say, If it was of mere mercy that He saved, all men ought to be saved. For even His love to man has a kind of proportion; depending on the faith of them that are healed. But not for these causes only does He require faith of them, but forasmuch as they called Him Son of David, He to lead them up to what is higher, and to teach them to entertain the imaginations they ought of Himself, says, Believe ye that I am able to do this? He did not say, Believe ye that I am able to entreat my Father, that I am able to pray but, that I am able to do this?
What then is their word? Yea, Lord. They call Him no more Son of David, but soar higher, and acknowledge His dominion.
He led the blind men along even as far as the house, to show their steadfast faith and thus to condemn the Jews. He asks them if they believe, showing that faith can accomplish all things.
He led the blind men along even as far as the house, to show their steadfast faith, and thus to condemn the Jews. He asks them if they believe, showing that faith can accomplish all things.
