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The incident of Blind Bart and an unnamed friend meeting Jesus is recorded in Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, and Luke 18:35-43.

Having multiple witnesses of a crime help law enforcement officials fill in what happened at a scene. One witness will include something another didn’t see or appreciate, especially when a big crowd is present and the scene was chaotic.

Having multiple gospel witnesses allow us to do the same kind of “detective” work in our Bible study, allowing Scripture to supplement Scripture, filling in details that give us full understanding.

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Following Luke’s gospel record, here’s what Matthew and Mark add:

Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.

            Mark identifies him: Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus

And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.

Matthew and Mark indicate it was a great multitude; Matthew lets us know another blind man was with Bart – obviously Bart was more vocal than his friend

So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.

Mark lets us know the crowd called to the blind man, saying, “Be of good cheer; Rise; He is calling you.”

And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

Matthew says that Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.

Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”

Mark let’s us know Jesus also said to him, “Go your way” as he said this, giving Bartimaeus a choice

And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God.

            Mark let’s us know he actually followed Jesus down the road

And all the people, when they saw it, gave glory to God.     

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There is no incident recorded in the Old Testament of someone being able to heal the blind and make them able to see. But Isaiah 42 promised that the Messiah of Israel would open blind eyes –

“Behold, My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles…I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes…”                        -Isaiah 42:1, 6-7          See also Isaiah 61:1-4

Jesus quoted from those two passages in Luke 4 at the Synagogue, and then said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

“One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see…Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.”         -John 9:25,32