Healed Blind Men's Disobedience and the Nature of Faith

The healing of blind individuals by Jesus in the Gospels often highlights the nature of faith and the spiritual implications of blindness. While physical blindness was a common affliction in ancient times, sometimes a consequence of punishment for disobedience or old age, it also served as a metaphor for spiritual ignorance and unbelief ^{[2, 1]}. The Old Testament prophet Zephaniah describes those who have sinned against the Lord as walking "like blind men" ^[1]. Similarly, the New Testament uses blindness to denote an inability to perceive spiritual truths ^{[2, 5]}.

In several instances, Jesus healed blind men who demonstrated faith in him. For example, two blind men followed Jesus, crying out, "Thou son of David, have mercy on us" ^[11]. This address, using a Messianic title, suggests their belief in his divine authority and ability to heal ^[11]. John Gill notes that Jesus sometimes delayed healing to test the constancy of their faith ^[12]. The act of healing the blind is presented as a unique sign of the Messiah ^[2].

However, the concept of spiritual blindness extends beyond physical sight. The Bible teaches that humanity, since the Fall, is spiritually blind and unable to discern spiritual truths without divine intervention ^{[8, 3]}. This spiritual blindness is linked to an evil heart, hardness of heart, and a disinclination to truth ^[4]. It is also described as an effect of sin and unbelief ^[5]. The Apostle Paul speaks of unconverted people being "alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them" ^[7].

The healing of physical blindness by Jesus is often seen as a symbol of the spiritual transformation that occurs when individuals are enlightened by the Holy Spirit ^{[9, 10]}. This spiritual illumination enables the soul to perceive the truth and excellence of God's word, a change compared to a blind man gaining sight and appreciating the wonders of creation ^[9]. This transformation is not achieved by human effort but by the power of Christ, who raises those who are spiritually dead ^[13]. Unbelief, which stems from spiritual blindness, is considered a sin and impugns the veracity of God ^[4]. Disobedience to God, which can lead to spiritual blindness, provokes divine anger and forfeits blessings ^[6].

Sources

Zephaniah “Zephaniah 1:17 (DRC) — And I will distress men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as earth, and their bodies as dung.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Blind — Blind beggars are frequently mentioned (Matt. 9:27; 12:22; 20:30; John 5:3). The blind are to be treated with compassion (Lev. 19:14; Deut. 27:18). Blindness was sometimes a punishment for disobedience (1 Sam. 11:2; Jer. 39:7), sometimes the effect of old age (Gen. 27:1; 1 Kings 14:4; 1 Sam. 4:15). Conquerors sometimes blinded their captives (2 Kings 25:7; 1 Sam. 11:2). Blindness denotes ignorance as to spiritual things (Isa. 6:10; 42:18, 19; Matt. 15:14; Eph. 4:18). The opening of the eyes of the blind is peculiar to the Messiah (Isa. 29:18). Elymas was smit”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unbelief — Is sin -- Joh 16:9. Defilement inseparable from -- Tit 1:15. All, by nature, concluded in -- Ro 11:32. Proceeds from An evil heart. -- Heb 3:12. Slowness of heart. -- Lu 24:25. Hardness of heart. -- Mr 16:14; Ac 19:9. Disinclination to the truth. -- Joh 8:45,46. Judicial blindness. -- Joh 12:39,40. Not being Christ's sheep. -- Joh 10:26. The devil blinding the mind. -- 2Co 4:4. The devil taking away the word out of the heart. -- Lu 8:12. Seeking honour from men. -- Joh 5:44. Impugns the veracity of God -- 1Jo 5:10. Exhibited in Rejecting Christ. -- Joh 16:”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Blindness, Spiritual — Explained -- Joh 1:5; 1Co 2:14. The effect of sin -- Isa 29:10; Mt 6:23; Joh 3:19,20. Unbelief, the effect of -- Ro 11:8; 2Co 4:3,4. Uncharitableness, a proof of -- 1Jo 2:9,11. A work of the devil -- 2Co 4:4. Leads to all evil -- Eph 4:17-19. Is consistent with communion with God -- 1Jo 1:6,7. Of ministers, fatal to themselves and to the people -- Mt 15:14. The wicked are in -- Ps 82:5; Jer 5:21. The self-righteous are in -- Mt 23:19,26; Re 3:17. The wicked wilfully guilty of -- Isa 26:11; Ro 1:19-21. Judicially inflicted -- Ps 69:23; Isa 29:10”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Disobedience to God — Provokes his anger -- Ps 78:10,40; Isa 3:8. Forfeits his favour -- 1Sa 13:14. Forfeits his promised blessings -- Jos 5:6; 1Sa 2:30; Jer 18:10. Brings a curse -- De 11:28; 28:15. A characteristic of the wicked -- Eph 2:2; Tit 1:16; 3:3. The wicked persevere in -- Jer 2:21. Heinousness of, illustrated -- Jer 35:14. Men prone to excuse -- Ge 3:12,13. Shall be punished -- Isa 42:24,25; Heb 2:2. Acknowledge the punishment of, to be just -- Ne 9:32,33; Da 9:10,11,14. Warnings against -- 1Sa 12:15; Jer 12:17. Bitter results of, illustrated -- Jer 9:13,”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 52: Spirit ( i.e. , of the truths which the Spirit has revealed), that is the reason or cause of unbelief. So also in Eph. iv. 18 , he says, The heathen (unconverted men) are “alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them.” Hence his frequent prayers for the illumination of his readers; and the supplication of the Psalmist that his eyes might be opened. Hence, also, true conversion is said to be effected by a revelation. Paul was instantaneously changed from a persecutor to a worshipper of Christ, when it pleased God t”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 54: the state of men since the fall proves that until enlightened by the Holy Ghost they are spiritually blind, unable to discern the true nature of the things of the Spirit, and therefore incapable of receiving a due impression from them. Experience confirms this teaching of the Bible. It shows that no mere moral power of truth as presented objectively to the mind is of any avail to change the hearts of men. There once appeared on earth a divine person clothed in our nature; exhibiting the perfection of moral excellence in the form of a huma”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 11: nature and of such power as to produce a perfect revoluticn in the soul, compared in Scripture to that effected by opening the eyes of the blind to the reality, the wonders, and glories of creation. There is, therefore, all the difference between a faith resting on this inward testimony of the Spirit, and mere speculative faith, that there is between the conviction a blind man has of the beauties of nature, before and after the opening of his eyes. As this testimony is informing, enabling the soul to see the truth and excellence of the “t”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER IX. (part 1): 1. WE have just read the long lesson of the man born blind, whom the Lord Jesus restored to the light; but were we to attempt handling the whole of it, and considering, according to our ability, each passage in a way proportionate to its worth, the day would be insufficient. Wherefore I ask and warn your Charity not to require any words of ours on those passages whose meaning is manifest; for it would be too protracted to linger at each. I proceed, therefore, to set forth briefly the mystery of this blind man's enlightenment. Al”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 9:27: TWO BLIND MEN AND A DUMB DEMONIAC HEALED. (Mat 9:27-34) And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him--hearing, doubtless, as in a later case is expressed, "that Jesus passed by" (Mat 20:30). crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us--It is remarkable that in the only other recorded case in which the blind applied to Jesus for their sight, and obtained it, they addressed Him, over and over again, by this one Messianic title, so well known--"Son of David" (Mat 20:30). Can there be a doubt that their faith fastened on such ”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 9:26: And when he was come into the house,.... In which he dwelt, whilst at Capernaum: for he took no notice of them by the way; but though they followed him close, and cried vehemently, he did not stop to speak to them, or give them a cure: according to their request, but went on his way; which he did, partly to avoid the populace, and that he might not be seen by men, in what he did, and partly to try their faith, and the constancy of it. The blind men came to him; being directed by others, into what house he went, and where he was, and very probably with the leave of ”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 30: it by their own power. Our whole salvation is of Christ. Those who are in the grave hear his voice. They are raised by his power. And when they live it is He who lives in them. This is the doctrine which our Lord Himself so clearly and so frequently teaches, and upon which his Apostles so strenuously insist. St. Paul in the sixth and seventh chapters of his Epistle to the Romans, where he treats of this subject “ in extenso ,” has for his main object to prove that as we are not justified or our own righteousness, so we are not sanctified ”

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