Passed on from there translates the same verb and adverb used in Matthew 9.9. Jesus’ movements cannot be defined with exact precision. Translators should probably render Jesus passed on from there in a way similar to the phrase in verse 9, perhaps as “Jesus left there,” “Jesus continued on from there,” or “Jesus went on from there.”
Followed (so also New Jerusalem Bible) may have the force of “started following” (Good News Translation). In this context followed will certainly mean “went behind him.” It does not mean that they became disciples. Good News Bible found it more natural to say “started following,” and this will be true in many other languages as well.
The expression crying aloud means “shouting” or “calling loudly.” It does not mean weeping. They were calling out repeatedly as they walked along. “They were shouting” will indicate this.
Have mercy on us is the cry of the blind men for help and healing from Jesus. They do not merely want his pity or sympathy; they want him to heal them. Have mercy on us should be translated by some phrase that is natural in the context. Examples may be “Take pity on us,” “Be kind to us,” or “Please be kind and help us.”
Son of David is a Jewish Messianic title. It was first used in 1.1 (Good News Translation “a descendant of David”) and appears also in 15.22; 20.30; 21.9, 15. Jesus is the Promised Savior, and so the time had arrived for the promised healing of the blind. See, for example, the prophecy in Isaiah 35.5.
The title Son of David could make some readers think that Jesus was David’s son. Therefore “Descendant of David,” “Descendant of King David,” or “You who are of King David’s family” have been used. However, the fact that Son of David was a Messianic title does get lost with such translations. This fact can be explained in a footnote, or the title itself can be in the text and the footnote can explain the meaning.
Many languages have formulas for titles, and they can be used here. A common way in West Africa, for example, is to say “You who are called Son of David.”
In some languages the vocative cannot be at the end of a sentence but must be at the beginning, as in “Son of David, have mercy on us.”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .