9:27-28 This is the first time in Matthew's Gospel that someone called Jesus the "Son of David"(cf. 1:1; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30, 31; 21:9, 15). This was a messianic title, and the blind men's use of it undoubtedly expressed their belief that Jesus was the Messiah.420
"The use of the Davidic title in address to Jesus is less extraordinary than some think: in Palestine, in the time of Jesus, there was an intense messianic expectation."421
Ironically these physically blind men saw who Jesus was more clearly than most of their seeing contemporaries. Isaiah had prophesied that Messiah would open the eyes of the blind (Isa. 29:18; 35:5-6). Frequently in the Synoptics the desperately needy cried out to Jesus calling Him the Son of David.422There seems to be a relationship between the depth of a person's felt need and his or her willingness to believe in Jesus.
Probably Jesus did not heal them outdoors for at least two reasons. He had already done two miracles outdoors before many witnesses that day and may have wanted to keep the crowd under control (cf. v. 30). By bringing the blind men indoors He heightened their faith since it involved waiting longer for a cure. Jesus' question furthered this aim (v. 28). It also clarified that their cries for help came from confidence in Him rather than just out of desperation, and it focused their faith on Jesus and not just God.
9:29-31 Perhaps Jesus touched the eyes of the blind men to help them associate Him with their healing as well as because He was compassionate. However it was Jesus' word, not His touch, that resulted in their healing (cf. Gen. 1). "According to your faith"does not mean "in proportion to your faith"but "since you believed"(cf. v. 22).
Jesus "sternly warned"them against telling anyone about the miracle. The verb embrimaomaioccurs only five times in the New Testament (Mark 1:43; 14:5; John 11:33, 38). Jesus wanted to avoid the masses of people that would have dogged His steps and hindered Him from fulfilling His mission (cf. 8:4). He wanted people to hear about Him and face the issue of His messiahship, but too much publicity would be counterproductive. Unfortunately, but understandably, these beneficiaries of Messiah's grace disobeyed Him and broadcast what He had done for them widely. They should have simply joined the band of disciples and continued to follow Jesus faithfully.
This incident shows that some people in Galilee beside the Twelve were concluding that Jesus was the Messiah.423The emphasis in the incident is Jesus' ability to restore sight where there was blindness.
