How many blind men did Jesus encounter when leaving Jericho?

How many blind men did Jesus encounter when leaving Jericho?
Matthew 20:29-30; Mark 10:46-47; Luke 18:35

 

1. Two blind men (Matthew 20:29-30) - "And as they were going out from Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. ³⁰And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!"

2. One blind man (Mark 10:46-47) - "And they *came to Jericho. And as He was going out from Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. ⁴⁷And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

3. One blind man (Luke 18:35,38) - "And it came about that as He was approaching Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road, begging...³⁸And he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

     There is no contradiction.  Matthew 20:29-30 makes it clear that as Jesus was leaving Jericho that there were two blind men sitting by the road.  If there are two blind men, then there is certainly at least one there as well.  The one focused on was Bartimeaus.  Both called out for healing (Matthew 20:29-30).  But, Mark and Luke focus on Bartimeaus' account maybe because he was the loudest and most determined, a point worth focusing on for spiritual reasons because God wants us to be persistent in laying our needs before Him.