Persistent Prayer

2 Questions we need to ask:
1. Why 2 Blind men? any significance?
2. Why did Jesus ask what they need although he already knew what they should need?
rephrase: why pray persistently when God already knows everything?
-> to know him more? to know him deeper? to know that our needs can be met.... so that when our needs are met, we know it is from God...

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
Matthew 20:29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, [5] have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Matthew 6:8 for your Father knows what you need before you ask him

Despite the notorious dangers of roads like the one from Jericho to Jerusalem (v. 29; compare Lk 10:30), many beggars would have sought alms from Passover pilgrims there in this season (Lane 1974:387). Although Matthew, abbreviating Mark's account, omits the label "faith" here (Mk 10:52), he illustrates the same principle (Mt 9:29). While this text does not promote selfish prayers like the one illustrated in 20:20-21, it does provide principles for one with a desperate need (vv. 32-33). Like many other passages, this one provides a model for how to approach our risen Lord today.

These Suppliants Recognize Jesus' Identity (20:29-30)

They could entreat Jesus in faith because they recognized his authority. They recognized that he was Son of David-rightful ruler in God's coming kingdom (1:1; 15:22; 21:9). They also acknowledged their need of mercy (5:7; compare 6:2-4-"alms" originally literally meant "acts of mercy"), humbly depending on his favor rather than their own merit or formulas.

They Refuse to Let Others' Priorities Deter Them (20:31)

The crowd already "following" Jesus (vv. 29, 31; compare 8:1; 19:2) did not want a figure of Jesus' caliber to be interrupted by a beggar. Many probably wanted him to get on with the business of setting up the kingdom they hoped he would establish (21:9). It is easy for us to want to get on with "ministry," with what we suppose are the agendas of the kingdom, and forget that God's agendas demand that we serve people in need (20:28; compare 19:13). We must exercise sufficient faith in our Lord's authority and concern so that no one else's impatient dismissal of our need will hinder our dependence on God (compare 8:7; 15:24-26).

Compassion Is Jesus' Ultimate Motivation (20:32-34)

Although the men's need for sight was obvious, Jesus allowed them to voice their need (vv. 32-33); then he acted from his compassion (v. 34). God knows the pain in his people's lives. Whether he gives us the strength to endure pain or (quite often) heals us in response to persistent prayer, it is not because we have mastered formulas of prayer. It is because he cares for us intimately (6:8; compare 9:36; 14:14; 15:32).

Recipients of Jesus' Gifts Should Follow Him (20:34)

Responding to Jesus' compassionate healing, the formerly blind men now choose to follow him, becoming models of discipleship. We who have seen both Jesus' power and his compassion best show our love by following him as disciples (Matthew's primary sense of "follow"-8:19, 22; 19:21). We should remember, however, that following Jesus means following to the cross (20:17-28).

From ESV Study Bible
Matt. 20:30–31 two blind men. Mark 10:46 and Luke 18:35 mention only one blind man, and Mark gives his name (“Bartimaeus”). This does not mean that Matthew's report of two blind men is inaccurate, only that Mark and Luke focused on the one. The blind men recognize Jesus as the Son of David (cf. note on Matt. 9:27).

Matt. 20:34 Jesus in pity touched their eyes. In the face of rejection by his own people, and impending betrayal as he enters Jerusalem, Jesus continues to show compassion for those in great need.

From New Bible Commentary

20:29-34 Two blind men (see Mk. 10:46-52; Lk. 18:35-43). Jericho was the last town before Jerusalem on the route from Galilee. As Jesus approached his goal with a crowd of enthusiastic followers, he found an opportunity to stop and ‘serve’ (28) two needy men whom the crowd thought beneath his notice. He thus exemplified again the unconventional values of the kingdom of heaven. In Mark and Luke this is the story of one man, whom Mark calls Bartimaeus. Perhaps, as in 8:28, Matthew mentioned two men in order to give weight to the testimony that Jesus really is Son of David. Cf. 9:27-31 for another story of two blind men similar to this one. The use of an unusual poetic word for eyes in v 34 and the statement that they followed him may be intended to suggest that the story symbolizes the curing of spiritual blindness which leads to discipleship.