And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
Jesus, a Jewish healer and teacher in first-century Israel, has been moving through towns healing people and drawing crowds. Two blind men have been following him through the streets, calling out for mercy. When he arrives at a house and they come to him inside, Jesus does not immediately heal them — he pauses and asks a question: 'Do you believe I am able to do this?' It is a remarkably direct inquiry. Their answer — 'Yes, Lord' — is one of the shortest and most complete responses in the Gospels. The word 'Lord' is significant; it is not just a polite title but an acknowledgment of Jesus' authority over their situation, their lives, and perhaps much more.
Lord, I want to say yes with my whole heart and not just my words. Where my faith has gone thin and quiet, breathe something back into it. I don't need to have everything figured out — I just need to believe you are able. Amen.
Of all the things Jesus could have said to two blind men standing in front of him, he asks a question. Not about their medical history. Not about how long they had been following him. Not about what they planned to do if they were healed. Just: do you believe I am able? And he waits. He went indoors first, let them come to him, gave the question space to breathe. This is not a drive-through miracle. Jesus seems far more interested in what is happening inside them than in the spectacle of what is about to happen outside. His question has a way of finding you too — not in a first-century house in Judea but in whatever room you are sitting in right now with whatever you are carrying. He is not asking if you have impressive faith, or the right theology, or a clean record. Just: do you believe I am able? The two blind men did not offer a speech. They had desperation, two words, and the nerve to follow him to the door. Sometimes that is enough. What would it mean, today, to simply say yes?
Why do you think Jesus asked the blind men about their belief before healing them, rather than simply healing them — what does that sequence tell you about how Jesus operates?
What is something in your own life right now where you find it genuinely difficult to believe that God is able to act?
Does this passage imply that answered prayer depends on the strength of a person's faith? How do you hold that idea alongside experiences where deeply faithful people did not receive what they asked for?
How does your own confidence — or lack of it — about what God can do shape the way you pray for friends and family who are struggling?
Is there a specific request you have quietly stopped bringing to God because you lost hope that he would answer it? What would it look like to bring it back to him this week with the simplicity of 'Yes, Lord'?
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 11:26
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:23
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:40
Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
John 4:48
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Matthew 9:22
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mark 9:24
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Matthew 13:58
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mark 5:36
When He went into the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe [with a deep, abiding trust] that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."
AMP
When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
ESV
When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to Him, 'Yes, Lord.'
NASB
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.
NIV
And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
NKJV
They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”
NLT
When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" They said, "Why, yes, Master!"
MSG