So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Ver. 34. And Jesus had compassion on them] He made their case his own. Misericordia Mercy sounds as much as misery laid to heart. Christ's heart sounded upon the sight and suit of these blind beggars, Isaiah 63:15, and this was beyond all alms, should he have done no more for them. For when one gives an alms, he gives somewhat without himself, but by compassion we relieve another by somewhat within and from ourselves, while we draw out our soul (not our sheaf only) to the hungry, Isaiah 58:10 .
And immediately their eyes received sight] This is not every blind man's happiness, that yet prays for sight. But there is a better eyesight than that of the body, which if God vouchsafe to any in bodily blindness (as he did to that blind boy of Gloucester that had suffered imprisonment there for confessing the truth) it may be said to such surely, as Bishop Hooper the martyr did to him, Ah, poor boy, God hath taken from thee thy outward sight, but hath given thee another much more precious, &c. (Acts and Mon.) The like favour God showed to Didimus Alexandrinus, who though blind from his childhood, yet was not only an excellent artist, but an able divine; and wrote certain commentaries on the Psalms, and likewise on the Gospels; being now (saith Jerome, who relates it) above 83 years of age. Trithemius and Bozius report the like things concerning one Nicasius de Voarda, a Dutchman, who being struck blind at three years old, became nevertheless an excellent scholar, and skilful in the laws, which he publicly professed at Collen. Afterwards he proceeded Master of Arts at Lovain, Licentiate in Divinity at the same University, and lastly Doctor of the Laws at Cullen; where, after he had printed his public lectures, he died, and was buried in the Cathedral Church, A.D. 1491, 17 Calend. September. (August 16.)