What does Matthew 20:34 mean?

Matthew makes a point to tell us that Jesus was moved by pity for the two blind men who believed Him to be the Messiah (Matthew 20:29–33). He displays once more that He has compassion on those who are suffering and is willing to help those who trust in Him. Jesus touches the eyes of these two blind beggars. With their sight restored, they join the company of those who are following Jesus to Jerusalem.

Modern preachers often make note of the fact that this is the last time Jesus will pass this way; had the blind men wasted this opportunity, they would never have gotten another. This makes for a useful analogy with respect to salvation, and the fact that no one knows if they will get more time to reconcile with God (James 4:14; Luke 12:19–20).

Jesus accomplished something else with this healing, as well. He provided all who saw it—and everyone they told—one more piece of evidence that He was truly the Son of God. He performed this miracle publicly, within a day's walk of Jerusalem, and with no concern about who saw it happen or who made the connection that He was the Messiah.

This is different from the last time Matthew reported that Jesus healed a pair of blind men. Then He healed them inside of a house instead of out in the open and He "sternly warned them" not to tell anyone about it (Matthew 9:27–31). He was not yet ready for the confrontation that would follow from so many people hearing of His miraculous powers. Now, though, He had come to Jerusalem for exactly that, and there was no longer any reason to keep His power and His claim to be the Messiah a secret.

In fact, Jesus next recorded action will involve something very public: an event referred to as the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1–11).