Son of David (Matt. 20:24-34)

Last week, we examined the misguided request of the mother of James and John, who sought positions of honor for her sons in Jesus’ kingdom. While she desired prominence, Christ called for humility; while she sought status and praise, the Lord emphasized service and self-sacrifice. We explored that dialogue in detail, and now, in verses 24 to 28, we encounter the reaction of the other disciples, followed by a clarifying gospel proclamation.

Exposition

In verse 24, we read:

“And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.”

The disciples had journeyed with Jesus, sharing in His ministry, His rejection, and His teaching. The request of James and John must have felt like a betrayal—a competition rather than co-laboring in the kingdom of God. Their indignation stirred a commotion, leading to Jesus’ response in verses 25 to 28:

“But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'”

Jesus contrasts worldly authority with kingdom greatness. In the Roman world, rulers, from Caesar down to local governors, exercised oppressive power, elevating themselves above their subjects. Jesus’ disciples were not to follow this model. Instead, true greatness in God’s kingdom is found in servanthood. If anyone sought to be great, they must become a servant; if anyone sought to be first, they must be a slave to all. Christ Himself modeled this, for He did not come to be served, but to serve, giving His life as a ransom for many.

The term “ransom” suggests a price paid for release. Unlike worldly ransoms demanded by criminals, our ransom was paid not to captors but to satisfy divine justice. We were the criminals, having broken God’s law, and the penalty was death. Only a sinless substitute could pay the price, and only the Son of God, the unblemished Lamb, could fulfill this role. His coming crucifixion is brought into fuller view.

The passage then shifts to verses 29-34, serving as a transition to the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem.

“And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!'”

These blind men, though physically impaired, possessed spiritual insight. Their cry, “Son of David,” acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, the rightful King of the Jews. Their persistence in calling out, despite rebuke from the crowd, reveals their desperation and faith. Jesus, moved with compassion, responds:

“And stopping, Jesus called them and said, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.”

Their healing is a sign—a foreshadowing of the spiritual awakening that would soon come. While many Jews remained spiritually blind, these men, representing those whom God had chosen before the foundation of the world, had their eyes opened. This pattern would continue as the gospel spread, bringing sight to the blind and light to those in darkness.

Application

As we reflect on this passage, several applications emerge.

First, Jesus teaches us that worldly ambition has no place among His followers. We are not to compete for prominence or power but to serve one another with humility. If we receive blessings, they are for the exaltation of Christ, not ourselves. Ask yourselves: Who among us needs assistance? Who requires encouragement? Who needs a helping hand? If Christ, the King of kings, came to serve and give His life as a ransom, how much more should we be willing to serve one another sacrificially? May it never be said of us that we are prideful, domineering, or self-seeking. Instead, may it be said that we are a humble and lowly people, seeking one another’s good and reflecting the love of Christ.

Second, for those who have confessed Christ as Lord, we have experienced the opening of our spiritual eyes. We once lived in blindness, unaware of our wretched state, but God, in His mercy, revealed the truth to us. The moment we saw Christ for who He truly is, we recognized our need for salvation. Just as Jesus healed the blind men who cried out to Him, so too does He heal the spiritually blind who call upon His name.

However, there are still many whose eyes remain closed—perhaps even some here today. If you have not yet taken that step of faith, I pray that the Lord may open your eyes to see the truth. Let us also pray for our loved ones, our neighbors, and our city, that they too may see Christ and be saved. We must not view unbelief as a cause for despair but as an opportunity for God’s triumph to be displayed. What greater sign of victory is there than redeemed lives transformed by the power of the gospel? Such is the faith we ought to have today.

As we move toward next week’s passage, which recounts the triumphal entry, let us prepare our hearts to receive Christ—not only as King of the Jews but as King of kings, the One who came to serve, to give His life as a ransom, and to open the eyes of the blind. Amen.