Matthew 9:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.”

NIV: and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, 'See that no one knows about this.'

NASB: And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, 'See that no one knows about this!'

CSB: And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus warned them sternly, "Be sure that no one finds out."

NLT: Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, 'Don’t tell anyone about this.'

KJV: And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

NKJV: And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”

After asking two blind men about their faith in Him, Jesus has touched their eyes and healed them "according to your faith." It's not that these two had exceptionally pious lives, or that they were especially worthy of healing. It's that their faith was placed in the right person: Jesus the Messiah. That faith was effective because Jesus is powerful and trustworthy (Matthew 9:27–29).

Now Jesus tells the two men—sternly, no less—to see that no one knows about what He has done for them. This is the second time Matthew mentions Jesus giving this kind of instruction to someone newly healed (Matthew 8:4). According to Mark, Jesus had given the same command to Jairus's family (Mark 5:43), with similar results (Matthew 9:25–26). He seems to be attempting to keep His fame and reputation as the Messiah from spreading too quickly. It has not yet worked. One would imagine it would be difficult for two formerly blind men to hide the fact that they could now see. The following verse reveals that they do not seem to attempt it.

Matthew 9:27–34 describes the healing of two blind men and one mute man. The blind men follow Jesus in the crowd, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." They believe Jesus is the Messiah and that He can make them see. Jesus does so, but they disobey His command not to tell anyone. Next, a demon-oppressed man is brought to Jesus. The demon has made the man unable to speak. Jesus casts out the demon, and the man starts talking. The crowds marvel at this, but the Pharisees decide Jesus' power over demons comes from Satan.

Matthew 9 continues to show how Jesus authenticated His claims to be the Messiah by powerful miracles of healing and casting out demons. He heals a paralyzed man after telling the man his sins are forgiven. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors. He answers questions from Pharisees and others. A woman who touches His cloak is healed from a 12–year illness, and Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. He restores sight to blind men and speech to one who is demon oppressed. He is filled with compassion for the crowds.

Matthew 9 follows the same pattern of Matthew 8, showing through miraculous works of healing that Jesus is truly the Messiah. Christ forgives the sins of a paralyzed man and heals him. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats with tax collectors and sinners. A woman is healed by touching His garment and a dead girl is given life by the touch of His hand. Two blind men see, and Jesus casts out a demon, restoring speech to its victim. Finally, Jesus declares that the harvest is plentiful and tells His followers to pray for workers. Chapter 10 builds on this compassion as Jesus commissions the Twelve to go and deliver His gospel to the people.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/18/2024 8:06:37 PM