Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 20:30

"And behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David." — Matthew 20:30 (ASV)

Two blind men. Mark and Luke mention only one. They do not say, however, that there was not more than one. They mention one because he was probably well known, perhaps the son of a distinguished citizen reduced to poverty. His name was Bartimeus.

Bar is a Syriac word, meaning son, and the name means, therefore, "the son of Timeus." Probably Timeus was a man of note, and as the case of his son attracted most attention, Mark and Luke recorded it particularly.

Had they said there was only one healed, there would have been a contradiction. As it is, there is no more contradiction or difficulty than there is in the fact that the evangelists, like all other historians, often omit many facts which they do not choose to record.

Heard that Jesus passed by. They learned who he was by inquiring. They heard a name, and asked who it was (Luke). They had doubtless heard much of his fame, but had never before been where he was, and probably would not be again. They were therefore more earnest in calling upon him.

Son of David. That is, Messiah, or Christ. This was the name by which the Messiah was commonly known. He was the illustrious descendant of David, in whom the promises especially centered, Psalms 132:11–12; Psalms 89:3–4.

It was the universal opinion of the Jews that the Messiah was to be the descendant of David. See Matthew 22:42. On the use of the word Son, see Barnes on Matthew 1:1.