Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 20:34

34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Mark repeateth the same Story, Ch. 10. from v. 46. to the end with several more Circumstances, 1. He mentioneth only one Blind man, and nameth him Bartimeus the Son of Timeus. He saith, the Blind man was Begging, Mark saith, when Christ called the Blind man, they said unto him. Be of good Comfort, rise, he calleth thee. And he casting away his Garment, rose and came to Iesus. He further adds, that Christ said to him. Go thy way, thy Faith hath made thee whole, Luke relateth the same, Ch. 18. v. 35. to the end. He saith, As he was come nigh to Iericho, he mentioneth but one Blind man: In repeating Christ's words, he saith, Iesus saith unto him, receive thy sight, thy Faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, Glorifying God; and all the People when they saw it, gave Praise unto God. Our Lord presently gives his Disciples a Demonstration of what he had said. That he came to Minister, to serve even the poorest, and most Despicable Creatures. Iericho was a City not far from Iordan, Ios. 3.16. it was taken, Ios. 6. and upon the Division of the Land, fell within the Lot of Benjamen, Ios. 18.21. Our Saviour took it in his way from Galilee to Ierusalem. Probably these Blind men, or Bartimeus at least, who alone is mentioned by Mark and Luke, hearing Christ was coming, sate first on the side of Iericho next Galilee, and then got him on the other side, as our Saviour was leaving the Town. Which makes Luke say, as he came nigh, and the two other Evangelists say▪ as he went out of Iericho, he sate begging. Bartimeus (being as it should seem) the most known, and the most Famous, is alone mentioned by Mark and Luke, Matthew (naming none) saith there were two. Which Mark and Luke deny not, but knowing only the Name of the one of them: They mention only one: They speak to our Saviour, under the Notion of the Son of David, by which they owned him as the true Messias; for that was a Title by which the Messias was known amongst the Iews, according to the Prophecies of him. They ask him for Mercy, they continue in their Cry, tho the multitudes rebuked them, as possibly thinking, they only came to ask some Alms, and were too importunate, seeing our Lord seemed not to regard them. God sometimes tryeth our Faith (by delays) how it will hold out, but he never frustrateth it. This mindeth us of our Duty, to Pray without ceasing. Christs stops, calleth them, askes them what they would have? They seem most sensible of their Bodily wants, and Answer. Lord that our Eyes may be opened. Jesus hath Compassion on them, toucheth their Eyes, Christ sometimes, but not always in healing, touched the affected part, and (as Luke saith) he said, Receive thy sight. The Miracle is wrought, they presently are able to see. Luke addeth, that Christ said, Thy Faith hath made thee whole; we have met with the same Phrase before. I have made thee whole, but thy Faith in me, hath prevailed with me to do it. Their Faith in his Power was seen in their owning him, as the true Messiah. So able to do it. 2. In their imploring his Mercy, and going on in their Cryes, of that Nature, tho they met with a Rebuke. Faith, and fervent Prayer do great things with God, because of his Compassion. The Prayer of Faith shall save the sick, Iam. 5.15. & v. 16. The Effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous Man availeth much. Nor is any Man so mean, and Contemptible in the World (these two Blind men were Beggers) but if they can believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, if they will lye in Christ's way, if they will Cry unto him, and not give over their Crys; they shall obtain at our Saviours hands greater things than these. This Miracle gaineth God Glory from the multitude, and from the Blind man, not only Praise, but a Resolution to follow Christ. This should be the Effect of all Salvations wrought for us, Mercy is then duely improved, when it bringeth forth in our Hearts, Glory and Praise to God; and ingageth us, to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Saviour had wrought his former Miracles in Galilee, where the Witnesses of them were remote, he hath now two Witnesses in the Province of Iudea, who go along with him towards Ierusalem: Where shall we find him in the next Chapter.