Mark 10:46-52

F. BLIND BARTIMEUS 10:46-52

TEXT 10:46-52

And they come to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timeus, Bartimeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the way side. 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 rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me, And Jesus stood still, and said, Call ye him, And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good cheer; rise, he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garments, sprang up, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabonni, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And straightway he received his sight, and followed him in the way.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 10:46-52

581.

Read Luke 18:35-43 and note the difference in the location of the healingplease attempt an explanation.

582.

Why was there a great multitude with the disciples?

583.

Why mention the father of Bartimeus?

584.

Why were there more beggars in the days of our Lord?

585.

How did Bartimeus come to have faith in Jesus?

586.

Why call Jesus son of David?

587.

What is the meaning of mercy as here used?

588.

Give two possible reasons for the attempt of the disciples to silence this beggar.

589.

How account for the change in attitude of the disciples from Mark 10:48 to Mark 10:49?

590.

Why ask him what he wanted? (as in Mark 10:51)

591.

What is the meaning of the expression: Go thy way?

COMMENT

TIME.A.D. 30; the latter part of March.
PLACE.Jericho, the city of Palm Trees, situated fifteen to twenty miles northeast of Jerusalem, in the valley of Jordan, at the foot of the pass that led up from the Jordan valley to the central highlands and to Jerusalem. It was about six or seven miles north of the Dead Sea and about five miles from the Jordan at the base of the mountain rampart. After Jerusalem, it was at this date the most important city of Judea. It was 900 feet below the Mediterranean, and about 3,400 feet lower than Jerusalem. See the section of Palestine from east to west. The district was a blooming oasis in the midst of an extended sandy plain, watered and fruitful, rich in palms, roses and balsams; hence the name, the fragrant city. Built by the Canaanites, and destroyed by Joshua, it was rebuilt and fortified at a later day, and became a seat of a school of the prophets. Herod the Great beautified it, and it was the most luxuriant spot in Palestine. In the twelfth century scarcely a vestige of the place remained. There is now on the site a wretched village with about 200 inhabitants. Sloping gently upwards from the level of the Dead Sea, 900 feet under the Mediterranean, it had the climate of lower Egypt and displayed the vegetation of the tropics. While snow is falling at Jerusalem, thin clothing is comfortable in Jericho.

PARALLEL ACCOUNTS.Matthew 20:29-34; Luke 18:35-43; Luke 19:1.

LESSON OUTLINE.1. The Blind Beggar's Petition. 2. The Lord's Call. 3. The Blind Beggar Healed.

ANALYSIS

I.

THE BLIND BEGGAR'S PETITION, Mark 10:46-48.

1.

The Beggar by the Wayside. Mark 10:46; Matthew 20:30; Luke 18:35.

2.

Appeal to the Son of David. Mark 10:47; Matthew 20:31; Luke 18:38.

3.

The Beggar Rebuked. Mark 10:48; Matthew 20:32; Luke 18:39.

II.

THE LORD'S CALL, Mark 10:49-50.

1.

The Lord Hears the Cry for Mercy. Mark 10:49; Matthew 20:32; Luke 18:40.

2.

The Beggar Comes to Jesus. Mark 10:50; Matthew 20:32; Luke 18:40.

III.

THE BLIND BEGGAR HEALED, Mark 10:51-52.

1.

The Prayer for Sight. Mark 10:51; Matthew 20:33; Luke 18:41.

2.

Saved by Faith. Mark 10:52; Luke 18:42.

3

Following Jesus. Mark 10:52; Matthew 20:34; Luke 18:43.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

I.

THE BLIND BEGGAR'S PETITION.

Mark 10:46. They came to Jericho. The Lord and his disciples, on their way to Jerusalem. The exact position of the ancient Jericho is not known, but it was not far from the site of the present village, and was from five to seven miles from the Jordan on the great highway from the Trans-Jordanic county to Jerusalem. It was several hundred feet above the Jordan level, but still many hundred feet below the level of the sea, and there was a continual ascent from thence to the highlands on which stood Jerusalem. His disciples and a great number of people. At this season Jericho would be full of people who were going up to attend the Passover. The number would be greatly increased by those coming from Galilee by the way of Perea, to avoid passing through Samaria. These, added to the Trans-Jordanic pilgrims, would, within a week or two of the Passover, crowd the great highway at Jericho with travelers. Besides, curiosity and expectation caused the crowds to travel in the company of Jesus. Blind. Ophthalmia is fearfully prevalent, especially among children, in the East, and goes on unchecked, in many or most instances, to its worst results. 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 the disease.W. G. Pal-grave, Bartimeus, the son of Timeus. His being mentioned by name implies that he was well known. His father, too, would appear to have been noted for some reason or other. Perhaps they both became ultimately attached to the cause of the Savior and the fellowship of the disciples. Bar is the Aramaic word for son, Timeus being the name of the father. Matthew mentions two beggars. He was present. Mark and Luke who wrote upon the testimony of others only mention the more prominent one whose name had been preserved. Dean Howson says: These difficulties we may dismiss. The particular spot is of no consequence; and, if there were two blind men, there certainly was one. Our attention is to be fixed on this one, Bartimeus. Sat by the wayside begging. Both beggary and blindness are much more common in the East than with usthe former owing to unjust taxation, uneven distribution of wealth, and the total absence of public and systematized charities; the latter owing to lack of cleanliness, and to exposure to an almost tropical sun, and to burning sands.Abbott.

Mark 10:47. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth. A designation never used by the evangelist, save in recording the words of others. He was familiarly, and also contemptuously, known as the Nazareneinhabitant of Nazareth. He had heard of him beforeheard of healings wrought by him, of blind eyes opened, of dead men raised. It had never crossed his thoughts that he and this Jesus should meet, when now they tell him that he is near at hand. He can do that for him which none but he can do. It is his one and only chance. He began. Immediately, as soon as he heard this, and continued so to do until he gained his end. To cry out. For God loves to be entreated, he loves to be compelled, he loves to be even vanquished by our persevering importunity.St. Gregory. Jesus, thou son of David. He therefore believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the son of David, i.e., the expected Messiah. The cry of the blind man was a recognition of Christ's dignity as the Messiah; for this name, son of David, was the popular designation of the Messiah. There was, therefore, upon his part, a confession of faith. Have mercy on me. The emphasis naturally falls on the word me; for Bartimeus, hearing that it was Jesus, and knowing his own disadvantage from his blindness in the crowd, fears he may be overlooked.

Mark 10:48. Many charged him that he should hold his peace. Not because he called Jesus the son of David, but (1) because he presumed to intrude a private grief upon the King of Israel, when, as they supposed, he was going in triumph to Jerusalem to assume his throne and deliver the nation. This spirit of rebuke is exactly the same as that of Matthew (Matthew 19:13). (2) Perhaps from selfishness, not wishing to have the Lord's attention called away from their instruction. (3) From indifference to other's needs. (4) They thought they were pleasing the Master in defending. him from a beggar. Cried the more a great deal. They were not to be silenced, and the litanies of Christendom for centuries have been modeled on the Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy on us) which came from their lips.Plumptre. Methinks we hear his shout. There would be the very strength and might and blood and sinew of that man's life cast into it; he would be like Jacob wrestling with the angel, and every word would be a hand to grasp him that he might not go. The gate of heaven is to be opened only in one way, by the very earnest use of the knocker of prayer.Spurgeon. Thou son of David. He suffers himself now to be publicly appealed to as the Messiah in the presence of all the people, which he had never done before. The time for his acceptance of, and sympathy with, the Messianic hope of his people had now arrived.Lange. It was a great act of faith in this blind man to call him the son of David, whom the people pointed out as being Jesus of Nazareth.Bengel, Have mercy on me. This is prayer. There is no preamble, no vague utterance, no redundancy of expression in real prayer. Much of what is called prayer in these modern times is nothing but a weak and windy string of sentences.Thomas. Jesus was passing bywould soon be pastmight never pass that way again. It was a short opportunity; it seemed likely it would be the only one.Tyng. The preaching of the gospel is a perpetual announcement that Jesus is near.Luther.

II.

THE LORD'S CALL.

Mark 10:49. Jesus stood still. The multitude had rebuked the blind Bartimeus for his intercession, but the Lord stopped at his cry. He is kinder than men. He is no respecter of persons. The blind beggar is to him as the rich ruler, He came to die for both. And commanded. This is a reproof of the reprovers. To be called. Making those help who had hindered. They call the blind man. Nothing could be more natural than the sudden change which is effected in the conduct of the multitude, as soon as they observe the favorable disposition of Jesus. He calleth thee. The call of Christ is always full of cheeralways, too, a call to do something as a token of trust in him.Abbott. His call is always a call for an act of faith. He bids Bartimeus come.

Mark 10:50. Casting away his garment; i.e., his outer garment. This was his cloak, or mantle, which is often used by the poor at night for a covering, and which the law of Moses gave them a special claim to, that it should not be kept from them over night when it was given as a pledge. The outside garment hindered his speed, could be spared, and is therefore thrown aside. In dead earnest is he, and can brook no delay. Rose. The Revised Version says Bartimeus threw off his garments, so sinners should throw away everything that hinders their going to himeverything that obstructs their progressand cast themselves at his feet. No man will be saved while sitting still. The command is, Strive to enter in; and the promise is made to those only who ask and seek and knock. Came to Jesus. The blind man runs to Jesus without seeing him. So must we hasten to him in faith, though we see him not. He does not need to be told a second time; he does not wait for any guiding hands to lead him to the center of the path. A few eager footsteps, he stands in the presence of the Lord !

III.

THE BLIND BEGGAR HEALED.

Mark 10:51. What wilt thou that 1 should do? With a majesty truly royal, Jesus seems to open up to the beggar the treasure of divine power, and to give him, if we may so speak, carte blanche.Godet. Jesus asks, not for information, but to draw from them an expression of their desire. The gift is of more value when given in answer to prayer. Lord. Better, Rabboni, as in the Revised, the word being the same as in John 20:16, and occurring in these two passages only. The word was an augumentative form of Rabbi, and as such expressed greater reverence. The gradations of honor were Rab, Rabbi, Rabban, Rabbonì. That I might receive my sight. Not how or why, but the desire, which he believes the Lord can grant in the best way. The man, whose cry has been hitherto a vague, indeterminate cry for mercy, now singles out the blessing which he craves, designates the channel in which he desires that his mercy should run.

Mark 10:52. Go thy way. Matthew states that he touched his eyes. Other blind men had called him the son of David, but he had straitly charged them not to make him known. No such charge is given to Bartimeus. He is permitted to follow him, and glorify God as loudly, as amply as he can (Luke 18:43). As the time draws near, all the reasons for that reserve which Jesus had previously studied are removed.Hanna. Thy faith hath made thee whole. It was the confidence which the blind man cherished in the ability and benevolence of Jesus that induced him to seek aid from Jesus, and that induced him to persevere while the crowd sought to restrain him. Such confidence Jesus delighted to acknowledge and to honor. The faith of this man was great; because, being blind, he could not see the miracles which Jesus did. Faith came to him by hearing. He believed on the testimony and report of others; and so he inherited, in a manner, the promise of the Lord his Savior, Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:20). Christ was always ready to heal. No one was ever refused who asked him. It rested with the man; the healing could not have its way and enter in, save the man would open his door. Hence the question, and the praise of the patient's faith. Made thee whole. Complete, sound, nothing wanting. A sinner is never whole; never a complete, perfect man. Christ makes us whole. And followed Jesus. Glorifying God, as Luke adds (Luke 18:43), and joining the festal company of His Healer, who all likewise gave praise unto God for the miracle which they had witnessed. Compare Acts 3:8-10. Thus, as our Lord journeyed toward Jerusalem, he gathered in his train fresh monuments of his power. The march of earthly conquerors is tracked with blood; smoking villages and mangled corpses mark the way which they had trodden, while weeping captives are chained to their triumphal chariots. But the Savior left joy behind him wherever he went, and collected new trophies of his mercy.Tyng.

APPLICATION.This miracle is in one sense a parable. It teaches most forcibly the doctrine and methods of salvation by faith. It has been so represented by commentators of all ages. The blind man represents one, without faith, who is blind to the unseen interests of his soul. In his darkness, the passing of the Saviour, in his gospel preached, may stir him to a sense of his needs. He then calls for mercy upon Jesus, confessing his faith in him as the Messiah King and Healer. Men may try to hinder him coming to Jesus. The Lord calls him, but he has first called unto the Lord. The Lord gives him the election who has elected the Lord. The sinner is required to arise and go to Christ in obedience, is then healed of his sins and blindness and follows the Master.

FACT QUESTIONS 10:46-52

628.

Give five facts about Jericho.

629.

Why would the great number of persons already in Jericho be greatly increased at the time Jesus and His disciples came into it?

630.

What type of blindness did Bartimeus have?

631.

What is implied by mentioning Bartimeus by name?

632.

Why does Matthew mention two beggars? How reconcile these accounts?

633.

What designation concerning our Lord is never used by the evangelist Mark except in recording the words of others? Why?

634.

How did Bartimeus know Jesus?

635.

What example for us is in the cry of the beggar?

636.

What did the designation Son of David indicate?

637.

Give three possible reasons for asking Bartimeus to hold his peace.

638.

How was the response of Jesus to the acknowledging Him as the Messiah by Bartimeus different than others?

639.

How did Jesus reprove the reprovers?

640.

What is always included in the call of Christ?

641.

Why did the beggar cast aside his garment? In what manner did he arise?

642.

How could he so eagerly come to Jesus if he could not see Him?

643.

Why did Jesus ask the question: What wilt thou that I should do?

644.

What was the meaning of the word Rabbonì?

645.

What was included in the expression Go thy way?

646.

Show how great was the faith of the blind man.

647.

What is added by Luke 18:43?