Disruptive Faith

Mark 10:46–52 “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 side begging. 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. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 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. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 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. 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.”

To be disruptive means to prevent something from continuing or operating in a normal way. Synonyms: disturbing, upsetting, disorderly, unsettling More Synonyms of disruptive.

changing the traditional way that an industry operates, especially in a new and effective way: disruptive technologies

And in the story of this blind man- Bartameus we see an individual in a desperate situation that leads to Disruptive Faith. The kind of faith that interrupts the norm of his day to receive a miracle from Jesus. The kind of faith that goes agains the grain of the ordinary. That revuses to accept his demise as the norm, defeat as the norm

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 side begging.

The Two Jerichos

A shout worked the first time. He said let me try it a second time

Just like the shout worked then it worked now.

Because the blind man cannot see but He can speak, and he heard that Jesus was. Passing by:

The Beggar’s Request (Desperation)

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.

He heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, but he cried out Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me

The man identifies that Jesus was not just a mere man.

Jesus of Nazareth was Jesus historically, was born in time.

But he cries out Jesus thou son of David because Jesus was not just a mere man, but that Jesus was the human God man. 100% man but at the same time he is 100% God

This man does not call out for Jesus historically because he was desperate for Jesus supernaturally.

You need to know that Jesus is not just a mere man. Buddha was a mere man, confucious was a mere man, Mohamed was a mere man. But Jesus was God in flesh walking among us, as God talking to us, God who is hope in time of Dispari

He is man enough to be born of a woman, but he is God enough to redeem the woman who gave birth to him.

He is man enough to thirst for water, but he is God enough o be our living water

He is man enough to eat bred when he is hungry, but he is God enough to bet he bread of Life to feed us .

He is man enough to go to sleep in a ship in a storm but he is God enough to awake from his sleep and to wipe sleep from his eyes and speak to the wind and the waves and the waves cease to roar and the winds cease to blow and the lightning stops flashing and the thunder stops rolling .

And when he calls on Jesus he is not just calling to a man because there are some things that a man just can’t do.

I am in desperate need of something that a mere man cannot do

There are just some things that a man cannot do. Man can’t wake you up in the morning. Man can’t start you on your way, Man can’t put food on my table, man can’t give me joy in sorry.

I need God, if you don’t mind let me call on him this morning. Father I stretch my hands to thee. Pass me not oh gentle saviour. Jesus!

The Response from Crowd’s (Discouragement)

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 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. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

There is a crowd around Jesus who rebukes the man. The crowd tells the man to be quiet.

And there are always some crowd who shows up where Jesus is to tell disparate people, it don’t take all of that.

It dont take all that noise, and you dont have to act like that.

If you don't know that extent of what I am going through you can’t judge the extent of my breakthrough. If you knew all the hell that I went thought just this week, you wouldn’t judge my shout. But you would join in with my shout and help me call him up.

But the bible says instead of him turning down, he turns up! Tell your neighbor I came to cry out to Jesus.because there are somethings in my life that nobody else can fix but Jesus.

If you came here to cross your legs and fold your arms you are getting my permission to get up and go sit somewhere else. But as for me I’m gonna shout, I’m gonna lift my hands. I know what he is able to do, he is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all.

When I think of the goodness of Jesus.

they tell him to be quiet but he cried out more

He gets the attention of Jesus (

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. 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.”

He gets Jesu attention because he is desperate but He has the right dispositon

He doesn't go to Jesus with pride and pompous, but he goes to Jesus in Humily.

When He goes to JEsus he simply asks Jesus for Mercy.

Mercy - restrains God form giving us what we deserve at the same time giving to us wha t we can’t pay for. When this man cries for mercy he is saying God I don’t deserve it but I sure do need you. I dont qualify, but I need you right now

The problem with us is that w come with this pseudo spritiutality and we act as though we fell from heaven. That every thing is ever so winderful it you ant fooling noboy up in here, because all of us need a touch of mercy. all of us have hooked up with the wrong people, all of us have fallen short of the glory of God.

Im not worthy , butcreate in my a clean hert

Jesus tells the same people that told him to be quiet, he said tell him i sand to come here.

We serve a God who knows how to flip the script.

And what they meant for evil, God knows how to work it all around for our Good. The same people that told him to be quiet now has to come and tell him to get up, Jesus is calling your name. He knows how to make your enemies your footstool.

he’ll make the enemys write you a check

He’ll prepare a table in the presence of your enemies and if you get rid of your table you just might get rid of your blessing

The same Pell=ple

The blind man gets up, throws off coat, and begins goes to Jesus

This is really an act of faith.

People these areas would wear a special garment to identify their handicap. He was wearing his weakness everywhere he went. But when Jesus beaconed to the man, he took off his coat

He hadn’t gotten his breakthrough yet, but he started walking like he God it. Before it even came.

I have not gotten what I asked for yet, But Eyes have not seen , neither hav ears healed. I’m gonna walk like I got it before it comes.

He man not come when you want him.

He takes off his coat and begins to go to Jesus.

What do you want me to do for you

Why would he ask a blind man, what do yo want me to do?

Couldn’t Jesus see that the man was blind? And yet, Jesus wanted him to admit to a need.

It is impossible to expand in victory if you keep holing on to your victimization.

There are some people that don’t want to be delivered because being broken is lucrative

This man had made a living out of his situation.

Jesus want to know do you really want your breakthrough, or do you want to stay in this condition.

Some just love to feel sorry for themselves.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR ME TO DO FOR YOU?

I need him, Do you need him

Does anybody need Jesus to fix you

Blind man said i need you to fix me

Jesus said go your way, your faith has made you whole.

Is there anybody here who came to give your problems over to Jesus

Is anybody here can testify that He’ll work it out for you?

The man came blind but he left healed, broken but left delivered

Amaizing Grace

Can’t nobody do me like Jesus

Do you know him, have you tried him

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus

Do you know him, have you tried him.

Wont he pick you p

Like the blind man you hav a choice, He said go you way

But the blind man chose to follow him

Im gonna worship, I’m gonna praise him.

If the Lord ever made a way for you, you ought to help me praise him

Thank you for how you brought me, thank you for how you kept me.

Any body here need the Lord to give you your job back

You ought to shut fix me, fix my family

If you need proof that he can fix it, come with me to a hill called calvary

He fixed it on Friday when they hung him on a cross

He fixed it when he

He fixed it when he got up

Living he loved me,

BLIND

Mark 10:46 (Word Studies in the New Testament): Blind. Diseases of the eye are very common in the East. Thomson says of Ramleh, “The ash-heaps are extremely mischievous; on the occurrence of the slightest wind the air is filled with a fine, pungent dust, which is very injurious to the eyes. I once walked the streets counting all that were either blind or had defective eyes, and it amounted to about one-half the male population. The women I could not count, for they are rigidly veiled” (“Land and Book”). Palgrave says that ophthalmia is fearfully prevalent, especially among children. “It would be no exaggeration to say that one adult out of every five has his eyes more or less damaged by the consequences of this disease” (“Central and Eastern Arabia”).

LIFE APPLICATION

Mark 10:46–52 (Mark): JESUS HEALS A BLIND BEGGAR / 10:46–52 / 179

The healing of Bartimaeus was the final event before the Passion Week. Mark described Jesus’ time in Jericho with a single sentence. Perhaps Jesus arrived late at night and departed the next morning. The distance to Jerusalem was about eighteen miles, a walk culminating in the Triumphal Entry.

Matthew’s version of this healing mentions two beggars but no names. Mark’s version does not preclude the possibility of another beggar or that Jesus performed other miracles on the way to Jerusalem that day. But it does raise the question of why Mark chose to include this particular miracle. Perhaps it was to demonstrate the need for boldness in coming to Jesus.

Chapter 9 focused on wrong perceptions of Jesus by the disciples and the crowds. Some still misunderstood Jesus, but many were rejecting him. People tried to prevent Bartimaeus from contacting Jesus. Jesus responded, not to Bartimaeus’s understanding of Jesus’ lordship, but to the boldness of his faith. Bartimaeus believed, not because of the clarity of his sight, but as a response to what he heard. Blind Bartimaeus asked for mercy and received his sight.

10:46 They came to Jericho. Jesus and the disciples arrived in the city of Jericho. The Old Testament city of Jericho had been destroyed by the Israelites (Joshua 6:20). But during Herod the Great’s rule over Palestine, he had rebuilt the city (about a mile south of the original city) as a site for his winter palace. Jericho was a popular and wealthy resort city, not far from the Jordan River, about eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem (10:32), and after crossing over from Perea, he would naturally enter Jericho.

Incarnational communication is aimed at meeting needs…. The attempt to divorce the physical from the spiritual … finds no support in the life and ministry of Jesus.

Robert Webber

As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. Jesus passed through the city, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd (probably made up of Jews also on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover). They came upon a blind beggar sitting by the roadside. Beggars often waited along the roads near cities, because that was where they were able to contact the most people. Jericho, with its fairly wealthy inhabitants, was a popular location for beggars. Usually disabled in some way, beggars were unable to earn a living. Medical help was not available for their problems, and people tended to ignore their obligation to care for the needy (Leviticus 25:35–38). Thus, beggars had little hope of escaping their degrading way of life.

Matthew records that there were two blind men, while Mark and Luke mention only one. This is probably the same event, but Mark and Luke singled out the more vocal of the two men. Bartimaeus is an Aramaic name meaning Son of Timaeus.

10:47 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!” The blind man could not see, but he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was at the head of the approaching crowd. In order to be heard above the din, he shamelessly began to cry out for Jesus’ attention. He had undoubtedly heard that Jesus had healed many (including blind people, 8:22–25 for example), and he took hope that Jesus would have mercy on him and heal his eyes. There were no healings of the blind in the Old Testament; the Jews believed that such a miracle would be a sign that the messianic age had begun (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5).

Bartimaeus called Jesus Son of David because he, along with all Jews, knew that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David (see Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5–6). The fact that Bartimaeus called Jesus the Son of David shows that he recognized Jesus as the Messiah. This blind beggar could see that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, while so many who witnessed Jesus’ miracles were blind to his identity, refusing to open their eyes to the truth. Seeing with one’s eyes doesn’t guarantee seeing with the heart.

THE EYES OF FAITH

We do not know how long Bartimaeus had been blind, but it only took a moment to decide to call on Jesus for help. Jesus met many spiritually blind people—religious leaders, family members, people in the crowd. Though their eyes were fine, they could not see the truth about Jesus. But Bartimaeus heard the report that Jesus was coming and boldly cried out.

In coming to Jesus, we need Bartimaeus’s boldness. We must overcome our reticence and doubts and take the step to call on him. Bartimaeus had not seen Jesus’ miracles, but he responded in faith to what he had heard. We have heard Jesus described in the Gospels. May we be like those of whom Peter wrote, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him” (1 Peter 1:8 niv).

10:48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd tried to get the man to be quiet. It was most natural for the people, even Jesus’ disciples, to attempt to shield Jesus from being harassed by beggars. But this only caused Bartimaeus to cry louder. His blindness meant he could not find his way through the crowd to touch Jesus’ cloak, as the sick woman had done (5:27–28). Thus, he kept on crying out in an attempt to gain Jesus’ attention. And it worked.

10:49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Although Jesus was concerned about the coming events in Jerusalem, he demonstrated what he had just told the disciples about service (10:45) by stopping to care for the blind man. Blindness was considered a curse from God for sin (John 9:2), but Jesus refuted this idea when he told the people to call the man to him. At first the crowd had sternly rebuked the blind man (10:48), but after Jesus called him, their tone changed to friendly encouragement.

10:50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. Bartimaeus had incredible faith. He knew Jesus could heal him, and he would not miss the opportunity, even at the risk of being a very loud pest. So when the people told him that Jesus had called him, he tossed off his outer cloak (a large heavy garment used as a coat as well as a sleeping mat) despite the chilly spring air. Bartimaeus’s attitude of joy came out in his jumping to his feet. The absence of any reference to help is deliberate and gives the impression that he would allow no barrier, even blindness, to keep him from his goal, Jesus.

NO BARRIERS

Bartimaeus demonstrated both perseverance and obedience. He persistently overcame the barriers to his healing and becoming a disciple of Jesus. He was blind and could not get to Jesus; he was rebuked when he called out for mercy. Yet he ignored the reaction of the crowd and came to Jesus. He obeyed immediately by jumping to his feet, leaving behind his only comfort and possession. He knew his desperate condition. Perhaps that is our final barrier. Many do not come to Jesus because they don’t feel they need him. Do you recognize your spiritual blindness? Are you willing to leave everything behind and quickly respond to Christ?

10:51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Obviously Jesus already knew what Bartimaeus wanted. Jesus’ question was not to gain information, but to allow Bartimaeus to specify his need and, in the process, to declare his faith that Jesus could meet that need. He addressed Jesus as Rabboni, meaning “my dear master,” showing his respect for Jesus. I want to see is literally “I want to recover my sight.” The blind man had at one time been able to see.

10:52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. The result of Bartimaeus’s request was that he regained his sight. His faith (evidenced in his persistence) had made him well. Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark mentioned no healing touch or word of Jesus. The stress is not so much on the miracle, but on the faith that led to it.

The restoring of sight led to discipleship, for Bartimaeus then followed Jesus. The man had been made physically well (with restored sight) and spiritually well (with the assumed acceptance of salvation because of his faith). He followed Jesus on the way; that is, he remained with the crowd that followed Jesus to Jerusalem. It could also mean that he followed Jesus as a disciple.

Mark 10:44–Mark 11 (Jon Courson’s Application Commentary): ed. But it’s true.

Mark 10:46 (a)

And they came to Jericho…

Historians tell us that at this time Jericho was the most trafficked intersection in the world due to the fact that all commerce, travel, and movement of troops between Europe to the north and Africa to the south passed through Jericho.

Mark 10:46 (b)

…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 side begging.

It has been said that there are three basic categories of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Bartimaeus, I believe, would fit into the third category. No doubt he would hear the creaking of the wagon wheels being pulled by snorting oxen. He would hear the shuffle of sandals on rocky roads, the sounds of camels, the conversations of people—everyone moving, while he sat still. Maybe you can identify. Maybe you feel like all around you things are happening, people are moving, times are changing. But you? You’re just sitting, wondering, begging.

Bartimaeus sat by the side of the road because he was blind. Perhaps he was blind due to vitamin deficiencies common in that day. But it is more likely that his blindness was the result of heredity. You see, “Bartimaeus” literally means “son of the unclean one.” Thus, it is very possible that Bartimaeus was so named because his mother or father passed on a disease that produced blindness in their son.

Mark 10:47, 48

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

Bartimaeus heard that Jesus had come to Jericho. The name “Jesus” is the Greek transliteration of the Jewish name “Joshua,” so it was actually “Joshua” who came to Jericho that day.

Thousands of years previously, another Joshua had come into the city of Jericho—not for salvation, but for destruction—for it was his job to bring the people of God into the Promised Land. And here, standing before Bartimaeus, was “Joshua,” whose job it was to bring the people of God into the Land of Promise not physically, but eternally—to bring mankind to heaven.

As the feet of the priests and Levites touched the water, the Jordan River parted, and Joshua entered into the Promised Land to begin his ministry. Jesus also began His ministry in the Jordan River when He was baptized at the age of thirty. The water didn’t part. Instead, the heavens opened, a dove descended, and the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

Joshua’s ministry was preceded by Moses, who prepared the people in the wilderness as he gave them the law. Jesus’ ministry was preceded by a prophet of the wilderness named John the Baptist who preached repentance (Mark 1:15).

After circling the city, Joshua told the people to shout. And the walls came down. When Jesus came into the city, Bartimaeus was told not to shout, but to keep quiet. But he would soon stand up.

Mark 10:49 (a)

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called.

Joshua’s greatest victory took place on the day he commanded the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:12). So, too, Bartimaeus’ life would miraculously change the day the Son stood still.

You who are sitting by the highway of life, saying, “I’m blind. I don’t get it. I’m not seeing properly. I’m not going anywhere. Does Jesus care about me, or is He just passing by quickly?” take hope. Bartimaeus cried out—and the Son stood still. Why? I suggest three reasons…

Bartimaeus cried out in humility. All too often, we say, “Poor me. Life isn’t fair. Why do bad things always happen to me?” Humility, on the other hand says, “I’m a sinner. I deserve judgment. But, Lord, I thank You for Your mercy.” And such is the voice the Lord hears most clearly.

Bartimaeus cried out tenaciously. $DI$DIKeep quiet!” the crowd said to Bartimaeus. It’s amazing to me how often perhaps well-meaning people try to get us to quiet down. “Don’t keep bothering the Lord,” they say. “Just accept your blindness. Accept your confusion. Accept the fact that you don’t know what’s happening.” Bartimaeus, however, kept crying—with humility, yes—but also with tenacity.

Mark 10:49 (b), 50

And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Bartimaeus cried out expectantly, for when Jesus called him, he left his garment behind. The garment beggars wore was specially striped in order that people would know the wearer was legitimately begging, that he had no other means of financial support. Therefore, in throwing his garment down, Bartimaeus was saying, “I know Jesus will heal me.” Truly, without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)—for it is faith that sees the invisible, believes the impossible, and receives the incredible.

Mark 10:51, 52

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. 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 “changed in the twinkling of an eye”—just as we all will be one day. It is no wonder he followed the One who had opened His eyes and given him life.

May today be the day you do what Bartimaeus did: May today be the day you receive the direction, instruction, revelation you need. May you cry out until Jesus stops in front of you. May you cry out until the Son stands still.

And may you join Bartimaeus in following Him anew.

Mark 10:42–52 (DGCB Mk): ee himself.” (Lane)

4. On the way to Jerusalem, a blind man is healed (46–52)

a. He cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Blind Bartimaeus didn’t have much tact, but he did have persistence and determination. People tried to shut him up, but they couldn’t because he really wanted a touch from Jesus.

i. The persistent and energetic nature of Bartimaeus’ prayer is a good example of prayer. He wasn’t discouraged because no one led him to Jesus. Those who told him to stay away did not discourage him.

ii. “Take the gates of heaven and shake them with thy vehemence, as though thou wouldst pull them up post and bar and all. Stand at Mercy’s door, and take no denial. Knock, and knock, and knock again, as though thou wouldst shake the very spheres, but what thou wouldst obtain an answer to thy cries. ‘The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.’ Cold prayers never win God’s ear. Draw thy bow with thy full strength, if thou wouldst send thy arrow up so high as heaven.” (Spurgeon)

b. Have mercy on me! The blind man knew what he needed from Jesus—mercy. He didn’t come thinking that God owed him. All he wanted from Jesus was mercy.

c. What do you want Me to do for you? It might seem that the need of Bartimaeus was obvious. Yet Jesus had a deliberate purpose in the question. There was real power in both the asking and in the answer of Jesus. God may ask us the same question, and we should be able to articulate an answer that glorifies Him.

d. Rabboni, that I may receive my sight: The title Rabboni “is a strengthened form of ‘Rabbi,’ and means ‘my lord,’ ‘my master.’ ” (Lane) When Bartimaeus said this, he expressed his humble submission towards Jesus.

i. The specific nature of Bartimaeus’ request is a good example for our prayers. “Have mercy on me” is general, but his prayer moved from the general to the specific request, “that I may receive my sight.”

ii. “Rest assured that those are the best prayers in all respects, if they be earnest and sincere, which go most directly to the point. You know there is a way of praying in the closet, and praying in the family, in which you do not ask for anything. You say a great many good things, introduce much of your own experience, review the doctrines of grace very thoughtfully, but you do not ask for anything in particular. Such prayer is always uninteresting to listen to, and I think it must be rather tedious to those who offer it.” (Spurgeon)

e. Go your way; your faith has made you well: The faith of the blind man saved him because it was a specific kind of faith.

• It was faith that was determined to reach Jesus (he cried out all the more).

• It was faith that knew who Jesus was (Son of David).

• It was faith that came humbly to Jesus (have mercy on me).

• It was faith that humbly submitted to Jesus (Rabboni).

• It was faith that could tell Jesus what it wanted (that I may receive my sight).

f. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus: Now healed and saved, blind Bartimaeus then followed Jesus. The way of Jesus became his way. This was especially significant when we consider where Jesus was going at this time—to Jerusalem where a cross waited for Him.

i. First Jesus told Bartimaeus, go your way. Then, Bartimaeus followed Jesus. He made Jesus’ way his own way, and was follower of Him. Bartimaeus must have figured, “Now that I have my sight, I always want to look upon Jesus.”

ii. “Apply to the Son of David; lose not a moment; he is passing by, and thou art passing into eternity, and probably wilt never have a more favourable opportunity than the present.” (Clarke)

Mark 10:46–52 (Life Application New Testament Commentary): JESUS HEALS A BLIND BEGGAR / 10:46–52 / 179

The healing of Bartimaeus was the final event before the Passion Week. Chapter 9 focused on wrong perceptions of Jesus by the disciples and the crowds. Jesus responded, not to Bartimaeus’s understanding of Jesus’ lordship, but to the boldness of his faith. Bartimaeus believed, not because of the clarity of his sight, but as a response to what he heard. Blind Bartimaeus asked for mercy and received his sight.

10:46 Jesus and the disciples arrived in the city of Jericho. The Old Testament city of Jericho had been destroyed by the Israelites (Joshua 6:20). But during Herod the Great’s rule over Palestine, he had rebuilt the city (about a mile south of the original city) as a site for his winter palace. Jericho was a popular and wealthy resort city, not far from the Jordan River, about eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem (10:32), and after crossing over from Perea, he would naturally enter Jericho. Jesus passed through the city, accompanied by his disciples and a great crowd (probably made up of Jews also on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover). They came upon a blind beggar sitting by the roadside. Beggars often waited along the roads near cities, because that was where they were able to contact the most people.

10:47 The blind man could not see, but he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was at the head of the approaching crowd. Bartimaeus called Jesus Son of David because he, along with all Jews, knew that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David (see Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5–6). This blind beggar could see that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, while so many who witnessed Jesus’ miracles were blind to his identity, refusing to open their eyes to the truth. Seeing with one’s eyes doesn’t guarantee seeing with the heart.

10:48 The crowd tried to get the man to be quiet. It was most natural for the people, even Jesus’ disciples, to attempt to shield Jesus from being harassed by beggars. But this only caused Bartimaeus to shout louder in an attempt to gain Jesus’ attention. And it worked.

10:49–50 Although Jesus was concerned about the coming events in Jerusalem, he demonstrated what he had just told the disciples about service (10:45) by stopping to care for the blind man. Blindness was considered a curse from God for sin (John 9:2), but Jesus refuted this idea when he told the people to call the man to him. Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

10:51–52 Obviously Jesus already knew what Bartimaeus wanted. Jesus’ question was not to gain information, but to allow Bartimaeus to specify his need and, in the process, to declare his faith that Jesus could meet that need. “I want to see” is literally “I want to recover my sight.” The blind man had at one time been able to see. The result of Bartimaeus’s request was that he could see. His faith (evidenced in his persistence) had made him well. Bartimaeus then followed Jesus.

Mark 10:46–52 (NCCS Mk): Restoring Bartimaeus’ Sight (10:46–52)

This story, the last of the healing accounts in Mark, serves as a symbolic narrative, pointing to the possibility of the removal of spiritual blindness, an affliction that has plagued the Twelve. Mark narrates only two stories of restoring sight to the blind: the present story and the two-staged healing in Decapolis (8:22–26). That story began the major section of 8:22–10:52 that depicts Jesus on the road to Jerusalem. The present story concludes it. The two stories of healing serve, then, as a framing device for the entire major section, which has as its central concern the theme of discipleship and the need to eradicate misguided notions.

The travelling company now arrives in Jericho, only about fifteen miles from Jerusalem. Jericho has been regarded as the oldest continually inhabited city on earth. It was founded around 9,000 BC. Herod the Great built a new city not far from the ancient site, and erected his palace and a hippodrome there. He later died in this city.

As they are about to leave the city together with a large crowd, they pass by a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus. Mark’s description of his location as para tēn hodon indicates he is not yet a disciple. He is “beside the way” but not on it yet. Later, he will be on it (en tē hodō, v. 52). Such phraseology strengthens our belief that this story serves as a parable of discipleship.

When Bartimaeus hears it is Jesus of Nazareth who is passing by, he shouts, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The term “Son of David” does not simply indicate genealogy, but speaks also of the hope of the coming scion of David who will rule over the nation (see excursus). Significantly, this title is used for the first time for Jesus in Mark’s Gospel. Bartimaeus connects this title with mercy. In Jewish thought the Son of David is usually regarded as a warlike figure who will deliver the nation from her enemies. Can it be that Bartimaeus is able to transcend the usual understanding of messianic function to grasp a neglected but important aspect of it? Note that the compassion of Jesus is the chief feature in the two feeding stories (6:34–44; 8:1–9).

Excursus: The Son of David

The Prophets never lost hope for the restoration of the Davidic rule, even in the face of destruction and deportation. The belief in a scion or branch of David, to be raised up by God at the end of days, is thus frequently found (Isa 11:1; Jer 23:5; 33:5; Zech 3:8; 6:12). This person is expected to rule as the vicegerent of God, in fulfillment of the covenant God made with David in 2 Sam 7:11–16. Later Jewish thought focuses on the militaristic aspect of this coming figure, who is also called the “Son of David” (Pss Sol 17–18). Jesus’ connection to David is not mentioned prior to this passage in Mark’s Gospel. The title of “Messiah” may imply that he is from the line of David, but even this is not firm, as the term has also been used to depict a coming priest who would restore true worship in the Temple of Jerusalem. This as attested in the Qumran community (1QS 9:10–11).

Although rebuked to be silent, Bartimaeus persists. The one on a resolute march to Jerusalem stops and asks for Bartimaeus to be brought to him. Mark provides the significant information that Bartimaeus throws away his cloak before jumping to his feet and coming to Jesus (v. 50). This is significant in a number of ways. First, according to the Torah a person’s cloak cannot be taken away from him by any creditor, as it is deemed essential to his existence (Exod 22:26–27; Deut 24:12–13). For a blind beggar in the setting of first century Palestine, the cloak takes on an even greater significance, as it represents all his worldly goods and the one means of obtaining sustenance for himself (i.e., the cloak is used for begging). Hence, Bartimaeus may be seen as renouncing all that he has to go to Jesus. With this datum we may see a thematic line connecting us back to 1:14–20 and 2:13–14.

When Bartimaeus comes before Jesus, the latter asks him the same question he asked of James and John when they came to him (cf. v. 51 with v. 36). But instead of asking to sit either on the right or left of the Son of David, Bartimaeus asks that he may see! Such a request is indeed natural for a blind man to make, but in the setting of Mark’s Gospel where perception is such an important motif, Bartimaeus’s request takes on greater significance. This story may then be regarded as a counterpoint to the previous pericope. It provides the right reply that those belonging to the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples should make. Only by truly seeing could one be an authentic disciple of Jesus. So it is not surprising that Jesus replies with the significant: “Your faith has healed you!” (v. 52). It is faith that will restore sight, both physical and spiritual. Mark concludes this story with the information that not only is Bartimaeus’ sight restored, but he also follows Jesus “on the way.”

Nice nugget

Though blind he needs no guide (Lk. provides him with one); led by his ear.—Ver. 51. τί σοι θέλεις, etc.: what do you want: alms or sight?—ῥαββονί: more respectful than Rabbi (here and in John 20:16).—ἵνα ἀναβλέψω: sight, of course, who would think of asking an alms of One who could open blind eyes!

Mark 10:46–52 (IVPBBC NT 2ed.): Stopping for a Blind Beggar

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 (cf. 10:13–14).

10:46. The blind, the severely disabled 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. “Bartimaeus” means “son of Timaeus” (bar is *Aramaic for “son”); Mark clarifies that this was literally true in his case (not simply a name or title as in some bar names in 15:7; Acts 1:23; 4:36; 13:6; 15:22).

10:47–48. Except for what they had learned from listening to others recite, blind people in that time were largely illiterate in the *law (Braille had not been invented yet, so they could not read, although like vast numbers of other illiterate Jews they could hear the Torah read). Although they were protected under the law of Moses, they were largely socially and economically powerless, and 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.

10:49–52. Perhaps by “stopping” and standing still, Jesus allows the blind man to come to where Jesus’ voice had last sounded. The “cloak” (10:50) is an outer garment, used as a coat in cold weather and as bedding at night, and possibly 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.

He followed Jesus

The fact that Bartimaeus then began to follow Jesus on the way up to Jerusalem is testament to the idea that later he became well-known in the early church. After his healing, he continued to follow Jesus. Some may be healed and simply revert to their old ways, to their old lives. Not so Bartimaeus.

The lesson from Bartimaeus is that we should never ask Jesus for less when He is capable of giving us more. He hears our persistent cries for mercy.

Mark 10:46–13:37 (TNTC Mk): 46. Jesus, with his disciples and other followers and pilgrims, coming from Perea, crossed the Jordan river and arrived in Jericho (mod. Tell es-Sultan), about 5.5 miles (9 km) north of the Dead Sea, at the foot of the ascent to Jerusalem. Conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6), Jericho was one of the main centres of the tribe of Benjamin where the prophet Elisha later healed the bitter waters of a spring (2 Kgs 2:19–22). In the Hellenistic period, the Hasmonean rulers built a palace complex, rebuilt by King Herod after the destructive earthquake of 31 bc. Besides the palace site, several settlements spread around the oasis, a fact that may explain the discrepancy between Mark’s account in which the healing took place when Jesus was leaving Jericho (v. 46) and Luke’s account according to which the miracle happened as Jesus approached Jericho (Luke 18:35: the verb ‘approached’ may mean ‘in the vicinity of’; Luke relates in 19:1–10 how Zacchaeus became a follower of Jesus).

Besides Jesus and his disciples, a large crowd witnessed the healing of a blind man, whose name is given as Bartimaeus (Bartimaios), translated by Mark as son of Timaeus. Evidently people called the man not by his personal name but by his patronymic. Timaeus is a Greek name that is attested only here as a name used by Jews, either in Palestine or in the Diaspora. Bartimaeus is the only healed person whose name Mark provides, which suggests that he was a member of the early Christian movement, as indicated by verse 52. Blind and lame people often gained their living through begging, and the main road through Jericho was a strategic location, particularly when pilgrims travelled through town.

47–48. Bartimaeus seems to have enquired about who was causing a commotion on the road, and people told him that it was Jesus of Nazareth. Since Jesus (Gr. Iēsous; Hebr. Yĕhôšû‘a; see on 1:1) was a very popular Jewish name, he was identified by his place of origin (cf. 1:24; on Nazareth see on 1:9). Evidently Bartimaeus has heard of Jesus’ power to heal, because he begins to shout into the crowd, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! The title Son of David, which was a functional equivalent among Jews for ‘Messiah’ (Gr. Christos) and highlighted royal and nationalistic connotations, is surprising: nothing in Mark’s account has prepared his readers for this designation. The disciples seem to have observed Jesus’ ban regarding the Messiah’s designation after Peter’s declaration in 8:29. Mark does not relate that others suggested that Jesus was pursuing a messianic mission. It is possible that Bartimaeus had unusual spiritual insight such that he concluded from his knowledge of Israel’s prophets that the coming Davidic king would help the needy and the poor and open the eyes of the blind (Isa. 11:4; 35:5–6) and that therefore Jesus was the Messiah. Alternatively, he might have used the most dramatic address he could think of in order to get Jesus’ attention. In the next episode, when Jesus enters Jerusalem, messianic language is used quite openly (11:10), without Jesus objecting. Here, too, Jesus does not comment, still less rebuke the blind man. The secrecy Jesus imposed on the disciples (8:30) is slowly being lifted, preparing the way for his entry into Jerusalem and his open declaration in the trial that he is the Messiah (14:62).

People of Jericho and presumably pilgrims who were on the road rebuked the blind man and told him to be quiet, perhaps so that they could continue to listen to Jesus’ teaching, or because they regarded him as too insignificant to bother the famous teacher, or because they were embarrassed on account of the messianic title. But the man continues to shout, addressing Jesus as Son of David and pleading for mercy. The persistence of the man, reflected in the fact that Mark reports his shouts twice in direct speech, is a sign of his faith in Jesus (2:5; 5:23, 34; 7:27–29, 32; 8:22; 9:24).

49–50. When Jesus stopped, so did the disciples as well as the larger group of followers and the pilgrims, all turning their attention towards the blind beggar. The verb call, which occurs three times in verse 49, means ‘to summon’ or call over (it does not render the episode a call narrative; in 1:16–20; 3:13–14 the verbs kaleō and proskaleō are used, not phōneō). The people’s change of behaviour reflects Jesus’ authority: having been dismissive, they now call out to the blind man and speak to him. They tell him, Cheer up! (‘take heart; it’s all right’; the verb is often a rallying cry to people in distress; cf. 6:50), On your feet! (‘get up, stand up’), He’s calling you. The man responds immediately and with vigour, so as not to lose any time. His cloak (himation; cf. 5:15) was the outer garment that he was wearing or that was lying in front of him to collect the alms. The rare verb he jumped to his feet is another graphic term describing the man’s desire to come to Jesus without any delay.

51–52. Jesus does not immediately heal the man. His question What do you want me to do for you? is not a cautious enquiry into the wishes of the man, as in verse 36. Jesus engages him in a dialogue which allows Bartimaeus to express his faith, which he does by addressing Jesus as rabbouni and by asking him to heal him. The word rabbouni (‘my master’ or ‘my teacher’; the latter is offered as a translation in John 20:16) represents the early Palestinian Aramaic term rabbān, which is a heightened form of rab, ‘great one’, a frequent designation for teachers of the law. Bartimaeus states his request to be healed with bold simplicity: I want to regain my sight (nasb; anablepsō). Bartimaeus expects an instantaneous and complete recovery of his eyesight, acknowledging Jesus’ power to heal.

Jesus replies by granting Bartimaeus’ request. The command Go dismisses the man and confirms that the healing has happened (cf. 1:44; 2:11; 5:19, 34; 7:29). Jesus heals in this case without touch (1:31, 41; 5:27, 41; 7:33–34; 8:22–26) and without a word of authority (2:11; 3:5). It is Bartimaeus’ faith that has healed him: his conviction that Jesus has divine authority to restore his eyesight (cf. 5:34), which indeed is immediately restored. The verb sōzō (cf. 5:23) means here healed in the sense of ‘cured of the illness’. In the context of verse 26 and the reaction of the man who begins to follow Jesus, it also means saved in the spiritual sense of eternal life, treasure in heaven and entering the kingdom of God (vv. 17, 23, 24, 25). Bartimaeus responds to the healing with the same immediacy with which his eyesight was restored: he followed Jesus along the road. The word ‘follow’ (akoloutheō; 1:18; 2:14) speaks of discipleship, as does the word ‘road’ or ‘way’ (hodos) later in the early church (Acts 9:2; 18:25, 26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). Bartimaeus follows Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, which is the ‘way’ of the cross (cf. 8:34).

Theology

Jesus’ power to heal blind Bartimaeus demonstrates his unique, divine authority, underlined by the fact that the healing happens as the result of Jesus’ word alone and that it takes place immediately. While the people of Jericho refer to Jesus as ‘Jesus of Nazareth’, the shouts of the man, twice given in direct speech, call Jesus the ‘Son of David’, identifying him as the royal Messiah promised in the Scriptures and longed for in Jewish tradition. Mark’s readers know that Jesus is the Son of God (1:1; 3:11; 9:7) and Son of Man who will suffer, die and be raised (8:31; 9:9, 12, 31; 10:33). He is the royal Messiah—not as a king who is about to establish an earthly, political kingdom but as the Servant who has come to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (10:45). The encounter in Jericho also teaches what discipleship involves: calling out to Jesus for mercy, understanding that Jesus is the messianic Son of David, acknowledging Jesus’ authority, coming to Jesus in faith, experiencing healing and transformation of one’s life, and following Jesus on the way of the cross.

Ample provisions

Mark 10:46 (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture): 10:46 Jericho. About 12 miles (20 kilometers)—less than a day’s walk—from Jerusalem, although the journey would be uphill from here. In this period Jericho was wealthy, with residences of aristocratic priests and with winter palaces once held by Herod the Great; especially during this time of pilgrimage for the festival, a beggar on the roadside might acquire ample provision. The ruins of the original Jericho lay south of the current city; some scholars thus think that the Jericho mentioned here is a different site than the one in Lk 18:35. Bartimaeus. “Bar” (as here in Bartimaeus) is Aramaic for “son of.”