Did Jesus Meet One or Two Blind Men Leaving Jericho?

Some argue that the Bible is contradictory concerning how many blind men Jesus met when he was leaving Jericho. The argument is that Matthew 20:29-30 says that he met two blind men, but Mark 10:46-47 and Luke 18:35, 38 say that he only met one blind man. However, there is a reasonable explanation that solves this alleged contradiction in the Bible.

Scriptures – Did Jesus Meet One or Two Blind Men Leaving Jericho?

Jesus Met Two Blind Men

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, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Matthew 20:29-30

Jesus Met One Blind Man

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mark 10:46-47

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging… 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Luke 18:35, 38

The Answer – Did Jesus Meet One or Two Blind Men Leaving Jericho?

Jesus Met Two Blind Men

It is reasonable to believe that Jesus met two blind men after leaving Jericho. Mark and Luke may record only one blind man for simplicity’s sake or because one blind man, perhaps Bartimaeus, was more prominent than the other one.

In any case, the different passages are not necessarily contradictory with one another, because the passages in Mark and Luke do not say that Jesus ”’only”’ met one blind man.

Foundational Principles Regarding Bible Difficulties

There are some foundational principles that apply to all alleged and apparent contradictions in the Bible. To read more, see Bible Difficulties: Foundational Principles.

Related to “Did Jesus Meet One or Two Blind Men Leaving Jericho?”

To read more answers to alleged and apparent contradictions in the Bible, see “Contradictions” in the Bible Answered.

These books are also excellent resources:

• Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions Volume 1 – Ken Ham
• Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions Volume 2 – Tim Chaffrey