Mark 10_46-52 EXGESIS

Mark 10:46-52 SIMPLE EXEGESIS

Context: There is a chiasm here, beginning at 8:22-26 (the miracle of healing the blind man gradually at Bethsaida) and ending with the healing of blind Bartimaeus in 10:46-52. The things that appear between these two sections are important as Jesus is teaching the disciples to see through spiritual eyes which they will receive after the resurrection. They have believed He is the Messiah but they were still struggling to understand what kind of Messiah He was. They believed Him to be the Conquering Messiah but He told them He was the suffering Messiah who came to serve His life a ransom (10:45) Our text is an example of Jesus’ service as the Messiah of Mercy, teaching us that we should be servants like Him. Bartimaeus also serves as an example for us to follow, he cried out to Jesus for mercy then forsook all things and followed Him as a true disciple. 10:46-52 are linked to 10:32-45 by the question Jesus asks both James and John (34) as well as Bartimaeus (51), What do you want me to do for you? James and John wanted greatness and places of honor yet Bartimaeus simply wanted to see. This is what James and John should have asked for sight. Bartimaeus’ plea is for mercy and he is granted his sight and salvation.

He Persevered in Faith (46-48)

(He is the only one who could really see, he saw through the eyes of faith)

(46) And they came to Jericho: and as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway begging.

It is likely that Jesus and the disciples had passed through the ruins of Old Jericho, it was destroyed at the onset of the conquest and was entering New Jericho which was built by Herod the Great and served as his winter palace. Jericho’s climate and wealth was ideal place for a poor blind beggar to beg. The text tells us of a great number (hikanos) of people following Jesus. This Greek Adjective means that a large and extensive amount of people were following Jesus. These were most likely pilgrims who were following Jesus to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. There must have been great excitement in the air because in Chapter 11 we see the triumphant entry. Luke 19 tells us that a crowd was gathering in the streets as Jesus entered, it forced Zaccheus up a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. The highway Bartimaeus sat beside is most likely the road to Jerusalem, it was probably a bust highway that offered him a large number of people to ask for help. Bartimaeus was blind but the statement in (51) “I want to regain my sight” eludes to loss of sight, he wasn’t born blind but became blind, most likely by eyes disease which was common in the area and perhaps spread abroad by the sandy air. There weren’t many opportunities in life for a blind person; the Law protected the blind from being mislead (Deut. 27:18) and from people causing them to stumble (Lev. 19:14) but theonly way they had to provide food and the basic necessities of life was to beg for it. Begging is the Greek verb prŏsaitĕō means to ask over and over, it is the idea of soliciting. There weren’t jobs for the blind and to make matters worse brail wasn’t invited yet so there wasn’t anyway for them to read the scriptures, perhaps they could hear them read in the synagogue if someone led them inside but we need to remember, in that days train of thought a person was blind due to sin (John 9:2) thus blind Bartimaeus was a sinner in the eyes of the religious. There is proof that sinners were necessarily welcomed among the religious.

(47) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, thou Son of David have mercy on me.

The man may have been blind but he could still hear. Luke (18:36-37) tells us that he inquired of the crowd as to what all the commotion was. He was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. After hearing it was Jesus he began to cry out (krazō or shout out loud) to Jesus calling Him by a Messianic Title, Son of David. The man had heard of all the wonderful things Jesus had done and turned his begging pleas for Jesus to show him mercy. Have mercy is the Greek verb eleeō, it is an action word that means to show leniency and compassion towards somebody. It has often been said that Mercy keeps us from what we deserve. It is an action taken by the strong towards the weak, the rich towards the poor, the insider towards the outsider, and from those who have towards those who have not. A mother once approached Napoleon Bonaparte seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor told her that he had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. The mother cried, “But I don’t ask for justice I plead for mercy.” “But your son does not deserve mercy,” Napoleon replied. “Sir,” the woman cried, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.” “Well, then,” the emperor said, “I will have mercy.” And he spared the woman’s son. If the French emperor can show mercy to a criminal how much more will Jesus the Merciful Messiah show mercy towards us!

(48) And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

The blind man who had learned to depend upon mercy for his survival shouted out to the One who can truly show mercy and those who were around rebuked him. Charged is the Greek verb epitimaō in means to rebuke it is the idea that the people forcefully warned the blind man to shut up. They disapproved of his begging Jesus. Who were these people, the crowd, the pilgrims, the disciples? The disciples were known to rebuke children from coming to Jesus and they rebuked people from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. We are not told who the people are but we can certainly see happening because the world around us is selfish and unmerciful. It has been said that mercy is for the weak but Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit because theirs is the kingdom of God. The beggars occupation trained him for times like these, he didn’t stop but cried out more loudly. The more a great deal is the Greek adjective polys it means to a great degree. He shouted over and over again at the top of his voice, Thou Son of David have mercy on me. This man was desperate and he understood that only Jesus could heal him. The man caused a disturbance and we should be encouraged to have the same persistent faith that Bartimaeus displayed. There was a story in the news paper a few years ago about a New Hampshire woman and her dog who fell into the sewer system as they were out for a walk. The woman cried for help through one of the pipes in the sewer system. The people involved told the reporters we could hear her but she couldn’t hear us. Jesus heard but the man didn’t know it, so like the woman he cried out all the more.

Transition: God is faithful to keep His promises and we can trust that He hears our cries for help!

(He Responded Immediately)

(49) And Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee.

Jesus heard the desperate cry for mercy and He stopped, and He told those around Him to call Bartimaeus to Him. (Commanded is used KJV, modern translation read said). Call is the Greek verb phōneō it means to summons, and they called out to him with words of encouragement. Good cheer is the Greek verb tharseō which means take courage, cheer up! Notice that the call is personal yet it came from those in the crowd. Today Jesus often calls us through the aid of a preacher, teacher, sharer, or friend.

(50) And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Once Bartimaeus heard Jesus’ call he did not hesitate, immediately he threw off (apoballō) his cloak his only possession and the only thing that could trip him up and jumped to his feet and off he went to Jesus!

(51) And Jesus answered and said unto him, what wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto Him, Lord that I might receive my sight.

Notice that Jesus asked him a question, it is the same question he asked James and John in verse 34, He gave Bartimaeus the opportunity to express himself and show personal faith. Bartimaeus now addresses Jesus as rhabbouni (mean master or teacher) as he claims Jesus as His personal master. Bartimaeus simply says I want to receive my sight (most modern translation use “regain”)

(52) And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Bartimaeus was healed by faith. Faith is the Greek noun pistis it means to believe to a complete trust. Bartimaeus trusted Jesus had made him well. However, Jesus brought about salvation by grace through faith. Bartimaeus’ plea was for mercy and what He received was mercy and grace. Made whole is the Greek verb sōzō which means to deliver it is often used to describe salvation. Though blind he had the eyes of faith that healed his body and soul! And He followed Jesus. Note what Jesus says, go thy way (hypagō) means to depart he is saying go your own way but for Bartimaeus there was no other way to go so He followed Jesus. Followed is the Greek verb akoloutheō which means go after/chase after Jesus. It is not certain if he picked up his cloak if he did you can rest assured that it was thrown on the road as Jesus entered into Jerusalem, either was the cloak that once was important to him, his bedding, his warmth, his money/collecting cloak was abandoned and replace with Jesus. It is also important to note that Mark calls him by name, this indicated Mark and Peter knew him. He had become a life time follower of Jesus.

Application: We must have faith that is persistent and that answers when Jesus calls then follow him all of our lives.