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Pre-Lent

Quinquagesima Sunday

Quinquagesima · February 15, 2026

Christ Healing the Blind, El Greco
Christ Healing the Blind, El Greco, c. 1570Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
An early Venetian-period work, set in a deep classical perspective with the healing happening at the front and an argument already breaking out behind.The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.El GrecoA Cretan icon painter who trained in Venice and settled in Toledo, where he stretched his figures into something no other century has imitated successfully.Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe largest art museum in the Americas, founded in 1870 by a group of New Yorkers who wanted one and had no collection to start from.Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 18:31-43Lk 18:31-43
Epistle1 Cor. 13:1-131 Cor 13:1-13
Old Testament1 Sam. 16:1-131 Sm 16:1-13Alt. OTIsa. 35:3-7Is 35:3-7
PsalterPs. 89:18-29Ps 89:18-29Alt. PsalmPs. 146Ps 146

Overview & Insights

“Lord, let me recover my sight.” (Luke 18:41)

As the journey to Jerusalem nears its end, encounters with others on the way illustrate the principle expressed in 18:14b, and in so doing they reveal how far those around Jesus still are from grasping the true nature of God’s kingdom and the necessary pattern of Jesus’s own mission. Their incomprehension focuses especially on the issue of wealth, and thus it provides an opportunity for some far-reaching teaching on this theme, which has been so prominent on the journey (see especially 12:13–34; 14:1–24, 33–34; 16:1–15, 19–31). A final, and more detailed, prediction of the specific fate awaiting Jesus in Jerusalem (18:31–33; cf. 9:22, 44; 12:50; 13:32–33; 17:25) prepares the reader for Jesus’s arrival in the city in chapter 19 and the narrative of confrontation, suffering, death, and resurrection that is to follow.

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Take it further: Luke 18:31-43

Commentary

Luke 18 Commentary (Enduring Word)Lk 18 Commentary (Enduring Word) Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse study of the third passion prediction and the healing near Jericho.

Luke 18 Commentary | Precept AustinLk 18 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin

Detailed study notes joining the disciples' blindness to the blind man's sight.

Luke 18:31 CommentariesLk 18:31 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on the passion foretold and the cry of the blind beggar.

Background & Word Study

Book of Luke Overview, Chapters 1-9Book of Lk Overview, Chapters 1-9 BibleProject

Animated overview of Luke's journey narrative toward Jerusalem.

Luke 18:31 InterlinearLk 18:31 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word study of the passion prediction and the plea for mercy.

The Church Fathers

Luke 18 (Catena Bible)Lk 18 (Catena Bible) Catena

Patristic comments on faith that opens the eyes of the blind.

Sermons & Reflections

I Want to See! Journey with Jesus

Essay on the blind man's persistent plea as a model of faith.

Luke 18:35-43 - Sacred SpaceLk 18:35-43 - Sacred Space Sacred Space · Irish Jesuits

Ignatian prayer guide on asking Jesus to let us see.

Podcast

Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): Quinquagesima - Dr. John Bombaro, 2/10/26 (0411)Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): Quinquagesima - Dr. Jn Bombaro, 2/10/26 (0411) Issues, Etc.

Issues, Etc. talks a pastor through the historic one-year propers for this Sunday, including Luke 18:31-43.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition (Vanderbilt Divinity Library) Vanderbilt

Curated lectionary artwork for the healing of the blind man.

Questions preachers ask

What frames the healing at Jericho?

As Jesus foretells his death and rising for a third time, a blind beggar cries out to the Son of David and receives his sight, following Jesus on the way.

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