Mark 10_46_52 notes

The OT demanded special consideration for the blind (Lv 19:14) and imposed punishment for misleading a blind person (Dt 27:18). A blind man, considered defective, was not permitted to serve as a priest (Lv 21:18).

Jesus’ healing ministry brought sight to the blind in fulfillment of prophecy (Lk 4:18). His ability to restore vision was one of the proofs given to John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah (Mt 11:5). Jesus healed two blind men in Galilee (9:27–30), one blind man in Bethsaida (Mk 8:22–26), a man blind from birth in Jerusalem (Jn 9), and a blind beggar named Bartimaeus and his friend at Jericho (Mk 10:46–52; cf. Mt 20:30–34; Lk 18:35–43). At times Jesus commanded immediate restoration (Mk 10:52). On other occasions he used “means” such as clay and water (Jn 9:6–11) or his own saliva (Mk 8:23)

Blind—Blind beggars are frequently mentioned (Matt. 9:27; 12:22; 20:30; John 5:3). The blind are to be treated with compassion (Lev. 19:14; Deut. 27:18). Blindness was sometimes a punishment for disobedience (1 Sam. 11:2; Jer. 39:7), sometimes the effect of old age (Gen. 27:1; 1 Kings 14:4; 1 Sam. 4:15). Conquerors sometimes blinded their captives (2 Kings 25:7; 1 Sam. 11:2).

The opening of the eyes of the blind is peculiar to the Messiah (Isa. 29:18).

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At the outset of his public ministry, Jesus lay claim to the messianic office by revealing that he would fulfill Isaiah’s prophetic promise to proclaim “recovery of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18).

CRUELTY TO THE BLIND WAS FORBIDDEN. The blind didn’t have much going for them.

BLINDNESS Physical blindness in the biblical period was very common. The suffering of the blind person was made worse by the common belief that the affliction was due to sin (John 9:1–3). Because of their severe handicap, blind persons had little opportunity to earn a living. A blind man was even ineligible to become a priest (Lev. 21:18). Frequently, the blind became beggars (Mark 10:46). The possibility of a blind person being mistreated was recognized and forbidden by God. The law prohibited the giving of misleading directions (Deut. 27:18) or doing anything to cause the blind to stumble (Lev. 19:14).

Scripture often treats blindness as a symbol of the human inability or refusal to realise the importance of God and the gospel. The restoration of sight can thus be treated as a symbol of coming to faith

Heal, Healing. To make sound or whole. The OT provides the proper background for a Christian understanding of the concept of healing. In the OT the basic point is made that God is the healer of his people. In Exodus 15:22–26, after God has delivered his people from Egypt, led them through the sea, and sweetened the water at Marah, he speaks of himself as their “healer.” This refers primarily to physical sustenance, but it points to the more encompassing concept of God sustaining his people in an eternal relationship with himself.

The NT significantly emphasizes Jesus as the healer. Mark portrays him as a teacher and healer in his opening account of Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum with the healing of the demoniac, Jairus daughter, the bleeding woman, Peter’s mother-in-law, the sick brought to him in the evening, and the leper (1:21–45)

With characteristic realism the Bible accepts the prevalence in God’s world of ill-health and affliction, although originally it had no place in God’s plan, and declares that God who made us is our only healer

SON OF DAVID

A messianic concept of the Jewish people that their Messiah would be a descendant of King David.

New Testament. David is frequently mentioned by the Gospel writers, who established Jesus’ identity as the “son of David.” The covenant God made with David was that an eternal king would come from David’s family (Mt 1:1; 9:27; 12:23; Mk 10:48; 12:35; Lk 18:38, 39; 20:41). According to Mark 11:10 and John 7:42, Jews of Jesus’ day expected the Messiah (Christ) to be a descendant of David. While stating that Jesus came from the lineage of David, the Gospels also clearly teach that Jesus was the Son of God (Mt 22:41–45; Mk 12:35–37; Lk 20:41–44).

New Testament The NT tells the story of Jesus as the story of the Son of God but also as the story of the Son of David from His birth (Matt. 1:1) until His final coming (Rev. 22:16). At least 12 times the Gospels refer to Him as “Son of David.”

Jericho

It was the most important city in the Jordan valley (Num. 22:1; 34:15), and the strongest fortress in all the land of Canaan. It was the key to Western Palestine.

In New Testament times Jericho stood some distance to the south-east of the ancient one, and near the opening of the valley of Achor. It was a rich and flourishing town, having a considerable trade, and celebrated for the palm trees which adorned the plain around It was visited by our Lord on his last journey to Jerusalem. Here he gave sight to two blind men (Matt. 20:29–34; Mark 10:46–52), and brought salvation to the house of Zacchaeus the publican (Luke 19:2–10).

CLOAK

Outer Garments – worn close to the skin – it could had reached his knees or ankles.

Parallels

Luke 18:35-42

Matthew 20:29-34

Luke says approaching Jericho but Mark says leaving Jericho (There was two Jerichos OT Jericho destroyed by Joshua and then 1.5 south was NT Jericho built by Herod the great.

Luke Adds that afterward he followed Jesus glorifying God and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God. Lk 18:43.

Matthew - Leaving Jericho but adds that there were 2 blind men sitting by the road and Jesus touched there eyes giving them sight.

Commentaries

This is the concluding story/event in the section on "the good news about Jesus' teaching on discipleship 8:22-15:52 Began with healing the blind-man at Bethsaida (8:22-26) concluded with the healing of the blind-beggar Bartimaeus. Perhaps the major purpose of this division is to show how Jesus not only gave physical sight but Spiritual sight to His disciples. By Jesus' teaching in this division the disciples began to realize who Jesus was and what was involved in following Him as His disciples.

Jericho is 15 miles straight line but 21 miles by road away from Jerusalem.

Only place in Mark where Jesus is called Son of David although the phrase is used 12 times in the Gosples (this name was not as signifcant to the Gentile audiences of Mark and Luke (2x also))

Rabboni - My Lord, my Master, my Teacher.

The healing of the blind is associated with the Messianic age (Is. 29:18, 32:3, 35:5)

He was healed physically and saved spiritually by his faith. This is seen by him following Jesus, and in Luke's account praising God. by mention of his name could suggest he became a disciple of Jesus.

The disciples want to get on with the business of setting up the kingdom (10:37; 11:9–10), not understanding that stopping for a blind beggar is the sort of thing Jesus’ kingdom is all about.

10:46. The blind, the lame and others who could not engage in the traditional occupations of the day could support themselves only by begging, normally on a busy roadside. Judaism considered it righteous to help them. Jericho was a prosperous town with a good climate, and Timaeus’s son no doubt received adequate support there.

Jesus’ followers view this blind man’s loud pleas as an intrusion, the way they had viewed the children (10:13). The disciples may have viewed Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem as a royal procession, and it was foolhardy and impudent to interrupt a royal procession.

The “cloak” (10:50) is an outer garment, used as a coat in cold weather and as bedding at night, and might have been spread before him for use in his daytime begging if he had no pouch. On the narrative level, the act of casting it aside may signify his forsaking dependence on anything else and trusting only in Jesus.

When he heard it was Jesus, he immediately cried out for mercy. He had heard about the miraculous cures Jesus had wrought, and he wanted the Master’s help. Nothing could keep him from getting to Jesus!

“What do you want Me to do for you?” seems like a strange question to ask a blind man. (It was the same question He had asked James, John, and Salome, Mark 10:36.)

The beggar had twice called him “Son of David,” a national messianic title, but “Rabboni” was an expression of personal faith.

We see Jesus Christ, God’s Suffering Servant, on His way to the cross, and yet He stops to serve two blind beggars! What love, what mercy, and what grace! (I would be like "oh woes me Im about to suffer great personal loss. But not Jesus.)

Rebuked him (ἐπετιμων αὐτῳ [epetimōn autōi]). Imperfect tense. Kept rebuking repeatedly.

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