Section 9:27–34

Jesus healed two blind men and a mute man

In this section, Jesus performed two more miracles of healing. First, he healed two blind men because they had faith in him. Afterward he asked them not to tell other people about him healing them because he did not want people to try and make him an earthly king. But they were so happy that they told people anyway.

Then Jesus healed a man who was unable to talk because a demon was controlling him. The Pharisees did not believe that Jesus’ power was from God, so they said Jesus got his power from Satan, the leader of demons.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Two blind men and a mute man are healed by Jesus
-or-
Jesus healed two blind men and forced a demon out of a mute man

Paragraph 9:27–31

9:27a

The Greek of 9:27a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “and.” It indicates that this is the beginning of a new story in the life of Jesus. The Berean Standard Bible omits this conjunction. Use a natural way in your language to indicate this. For example:

Then
-or-
Jesus left the ruler’s house and
-or-
After that happened, Jesus left the ruler’s house.

As Jesus went on from there: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went on indicates that Jesus left the house of the religious leader and his daughter. It also indicates that he was moving away from the house. He was walking. This same word occurs in 9:9a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus left that place, and as he walked along (Good News Translation)
-or-
As Jesus was walking along (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Then Jesus left there. While he was walking

Jesus’ disciples were certainly with him. In some languages, it may be natural to mention their being with him. For example:

Then Jesus ⌊and his disciples⌋ left that place. As they were walking

two blind men: The word blind means “not able to see.” Another way to translate this is:

two men who could not see

followed Him: In this context, the verb followed is used in its literal sense. It indicates that the blind men were walking some distance behind Jesus. As 9:27b indicates, they wanted to speak to Jesus. Here this verb does not imply they were his disciples.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

walked behind him
-or-
followed along after him

9:27b

crying out: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crying out means that the men were “shouting.” They were shouting to be sure that Jesus would hear them. This phrase does not mean that the men were weeping loudly.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

shouting (NET Bible)
-or-
calling out (New International Version)
-or-
yelling

The blind men were shouting while they followed Jesus.

Have mercy on us, Son of David!: This clause is the blind men’s polite request for Jesus to heal them. Translate it in a way that shows that the men were being polite. For example:

⌊Please⌋ have mercy on us, Son of David.

In some languages, it may also be necessary to make explicit that the men wanted Jesus to heal them. For example:

Son of David, ⌊please⌋ have mercy on us ⌊and heal us⌋

Have mercy on us: The word mercy means “compassion” or “pity” towards someone. The blind men wanted Jesus to pity them, and therefore heal them.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Show kindness to us
-or-
pity us ⌊and heal us⌋

This word also occurs in 9:13b.

Son of David: This phrase is a title that means that Jesus was a descendant of King David. The Jews used this title to refer to the Messiah (Christ), because God promised that the Messiah would be a descendant of David (Isaiah 9:6–7, 11:1–5, Jeremiah 23:5). In some languages, it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

the Descendant of ⌊King⌋ David

-or-

the ⌊promised⌋ Son/Descendant of ⌊King⌋ David

In some languages, it may be helpful to add a footnote. A sample footnote is:

God promised that one of King David’s descendants would be the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6–7, 11:1–5, Jeremiah 23:5). The Jews were expecting this promised person to come, and they referred to him by the title “Son of David.”

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