Mark 10:46

¶ 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 side begging.

And {G2532} they came {G2064} to {G1519} Jericho {G2410}: and {G2532} as he {G846} went {G1607} out of {G575} Jericho {G2410} with {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} and {G2532} a great {G2425} number of people {G3793}, blind {G5185} Bartimaeus {G924}, the son {G5207} of Timaeus {G5090}, sat {G2521} by {G3844} the highway side {G3598} begging {G4319}.

They came to Yericho; and as Yeshua was leaving Yericho with his talmidim and a great crowd, a blind beggar, Bar-Timai (son of Timai), was sitting by the side of the road.

Next, they came to Jericho. And as Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho with a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road.

And they come to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timæus, Bartimæus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the way side.

Commentary

Mark 10:46 KJV introduces one of the most poignant healing narratives in the Gospels, setting the scene for Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem. This verse marks the beginning of the story of blind Bartimaeus, a powerful illustration of faith and divine compassion.

Context

This verse finds Jesus and His disciples departing from Jericho, a significant city located near the Jordan River. Jericho was a bustling trade center, often referred to as the "City of Palms." Jesus was on His way from Galilee to Jerusalem for the Passover, a journey that would culminate in His crucifixion and resurrection. The presence of a "great number of people" highlights the widespread attention Jesus garnered, even as He approached the climax of His earthly ministry. This particular encounter immediately follows Jesus' teaching on servanthood and His third prediction of His death, emphasizing that true greatness in the Kingdom of God comes through humble service, as exemplified by Jesus Himself who came not to be served, but to serve.

Key Themes

  • Divine Accessibility: Jesus, despite being surrounded by a large crowd and on a critical journey, remains accessible to individuals in need. His path through Jericho provides an opportunity for an encounter with the marginalized.
  • The Marginalized Seen: Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, represents those overlooked by society. His position "by the highway side" signifies both his destitution and his strategic placement for an encounter with Jesus. The narrative underscores God's attentiveness to the humble and needy.
  • Anticipation of Healing: While this verse only introduces Bartimaeus, it sets the stage for a dramatic display of faith and miraculous healing, which unfolds in the subsequent verses (Mark 10:47-52). This story is a powerful testament to Jesus' power over physical ailments and His willingness to respond to earnest cries for help.

Linguistic Insights

The name Bartimaeus is significant. It is an Aramaic patronymic, meaning "son of Timaeus." Mark's inclusion of his specific name, rather than just "a blind man," personalizes the account and elevates Bartimaeus from an anonymous figure to an individual whose story is worth remembering. This naming convention is common in Mark's Gospel when highlighting key figures in Jesus' healing ministry, drawing attention to their personal transformation. The phrase "by the highway side" (Greek: para ten hodon) simply describes his location, a common spot for beggars to solicit alms from travelers.

Practical Application

Mark 10:46 reminds us that even amidst the busyness of life and the presence of crowds, Jesus is attentive to the individual. Like Bartimaeus, we may find ourselves in situations of spiritual or physical need, feeling marginalized or unseen. This verse encourages us to position ourselves where we can encounter Jesus, whether through prayer, Scripture, or community. It also highlights that true faith often comes from unexpected places, demonstrating a profound spiritual insight that might be missed by those who appear to have everything. The story encourages us to recognize and respond to the presence of Jesus in our own lives, just as Bartimaeus was about to do.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 18:35 (21 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

  • Luke 19:1 (21 votes)

    ¶ And [Jesus] entered and passed through Jericho.

  • Matthew 20:29 (17 votes)

    ¶ And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

  • Matthew 20:34 (17 votes)

    So Jesus had compassion [on them], and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

  • John 9:8 (10 votes)

    ¶ The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

  • Luke 16:22 (1 votes)

    And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

  • Luke 16:20 (-2 votes)

    And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,