Mark 10:50

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he, casting away {G577} his {G846} garment {G2440}, rose {G450}, and came {G2064} to {G4314} Jesus {G2424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Throwing down his blanket, he jumped up and came over to Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible

Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus.

American Standard Version

And he, casting away his garment, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 10:50 vividly portrays the immediate and decisive response of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, to Jesus's call. This pivotal verse captures his radical abandonment of his old life and hindrances, symbolized by the casting off of his garment, as he rises with urgent faith and determination to approach Jesus, demonstrating a profound spiritual readiness for divine intervention and a new beginning.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 10:50 is the climactic moment in the narrative of [Mark 10:46-52](/mark/10-46-52 "Mark 10:46-52 - The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus"). The preceding verses establish Bartimaeus's desperate plight as a blind beggar by the roadside near Jericho. Hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he began to cry out persistently, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (see [Mark 10:47](/mark/10-47 "Mark 10:47 - Bartimaeus Cries Out")). Despite the crowd's attempts to silence him, his fervent plea reached Jesus's ears. In [Mark 10:49](/mark/10-49 "Mark 10:49 - Jesus Calls Bartimaeus"), Jesus stops and commands that Bartimaeus be called. The crowd, whose attitude shifts from rebuke to encouragement, then tells Bartimaeus, "Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee." Verse 50 is Bartimaeus's immediate, unhesitating, and profound response to this direct invitation from the Messiah, setting the stage for his miraculous healing in [Mark 10:52](/mark/10-52 "Mark 10:52 - Bartimaeus Receives His Sight").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For a blind beggar in ancient Israel, life was one of extreme destitution and social marginalization. Begging was often the only means of survival, and the outer garment (Greek: _himátion_) was not merely clothing but a multi-purpose possession. It served as a blanket at night, a cushion during the day, and a receptacle for alms. It was often the most valuable, if not the only, significant possession a beggar owned. To "cast away" such a garment was an act of profound urgency and disregard for earthly security, signifying a complete detachment from his former identity and reliance on his meager means. Jericho, a city of palms, was strategically located on a major trade route, making it a common place for beggars to sit and appeal to travelers. The crowd's initial rebuke of Bartimaeus reflects the social norm of maintaining order and perhaps a lack of empathy for the marginalized, contrasting sharply with Jesus's compassionate interruption.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several powerful themes woven throughout the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **urgent response to divine calling**, demonstrating that when Jesus calls, immediate and decisive action is required. The act of "casting away his garment" powerfully symbolizes **abandonment of the old life and its hindrances**, emphasizing a willingness to forsake anything that might impede one's approach to Christ, a theme echoed in Jesus's calls to discipleship (e.g., [Mark 8:34](/mark/8-34 "Mark 8:34 - Take Up Your Cross")). Furthermore, Bartimaeus's physical movement despite his blindness underscores the theme of **active faith and determination**. His faith is not passive belief but an energetic pursuit of the one who can bring healing and transformation. This contrasts with the spiritual blindness of many religious leaders in Mark's Gospel, emphasizing that true sight comes through humble, active faith in Jesus, the Son of David, who has come to give sight to the blind (compare [Isaiah 35:5](/isaiah/35-5 "Isaiah 35:5 - Eyes of the Blind Opened")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **casting away (Greek, _apobállō_):** This verb signifies a decisive and forceful action of throwing off or casting away. It implies a deliberate and complete separation from something. In Bartimaeus's case, it's not a gentle removal but an urgent, perhaps even violent, discarding of his most valuable possession, driven by an overwhelming desire to reach Jesus. This emphasizes the radical nature of his response and his readiness to leave behind everything associated with his former state.
* **garment (Greek, _himátion_):** This refers to the outer cloak or robe, which, as noted in the context, was a crucial possession for a beggar. Its symbolic significance is immense. It represents Bartimaeus's identity as a beggar, his source of comfort, his meager security, and perhaps even a symbol of his affliction and dependence. Casting it away signifies a complete renunciation of his past life, his status, and any reliance on earthly provisions, in favor of a new identity and provision found in Christ.
* **rose (Greek, _anístēmi_):** This verb means to stand up, arise, or be raised up. It denotes an immediate and purposeful physical action. For a blind man who had been sitting by the roadside, this implies a sudden surge of energy and determination. It is an act of agency and faith, demonstrating his readiness to meet Jesus and his belief that something transformative was about to happen. This "rising" foreshadows not only his physical healing but also his spiritual elevation from his former state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he, casting away his garment,"**: This clause immediately highlights Bartimaeus's radical and unhesitating response. The act of "casting away" his outer cloak is deeply symbolic. For a beggar, this garment was his most valuable possession, serving as a blanket, a cushion, and a receptacle for alms. To discard it signifies a complete abandonment of his old life, his identity as a beggar, and any reliance on his meager earthly security. It speaks to an urgent, singular focus on Jesus, demonstrating that nothing, not even his most essential possession, would hinder his approach to the Lord.
* **"rose,"**: This simple verb conveys immense determination and urgency. Despite his blindness, Bartimaeus does not hesitate or wait for assistance. He immediately stands up, propelled by the summons of Jesus. This physical action is a powerful demonstration of his active faith and readiness to receive what Jesus might offer. It represents a spiritual awakening and a decisive break from his passive, dependent existence.
* **"and came to Jesus."**: This final clause reveals the ultimate goal of Bartimaeus's actions. His casting off of the garment and rising were not ends in themselves but means to an end: to draw near to Jesus. This movement signifies his complete trust and surrender to the Lord. It is an act of profound faith, as he moves towards the one he believes can heal him, embodying the very essence of seeking Christ with all one's being.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in [Mark 10:50](/mark/10-50 "Mark 10:50 - Bartimaeus's Immediate Response") is rich with **Symbolism**. The "garment" is not merely an article of clothing but a potent symbol of Bartimaeus's old life, his poverty, his identity as a beggar, and perhaps even his blindness itself. Its casting away symbolizes a radical renunciation of the past and a readiness to embrace a new future in Christ. This act also creates a powerful **Contrast** between Bartimaeus's decisive, faith-filled action and the crowd's previous attempts to silence him or their initial lack of faith. The narrative also employs **Action and Movement** as a central motif, with Bartimaeus's immediate "casting away," "rising," and "coming" emphasizing the urgency and active nature of true faith. This sequence of actions highlights his determination and the transformative power of Jesus's call.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 10:50 is a profound theological statement on the nature of salvation and discipleship. Bartimaeus's radical response to Jesus's call illustrates that coming to Christ often requires a decisive break from our past, our self-reliance, and anything that hinders us from fully embracing His invitation. His willingness to cast aside his most valuable possession underscores the principle that true spiritual gain often necessitates the relinquishment of earthly comforts or perceived securities. This act of abandonment is not a loss but a necessary step towards receiving a greater, spiritual sight and a new identity in Christ. His immediate and active pursuit of Jesus exemplifies the kind of faith that is not merely intellectual assent but a dynamic, obedient movement towards the Savior, demonstrating that genuine faith is always accompanied by action.
* [Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross Daily"): "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
* [Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Counting All Things Loss for Christ"): "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."
* [Matthew 4:20](/matthew/4-20 "Matthew 4:20 - Disciples Immediately Follow Jesus"): "And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Bartimaeus's story in Mark 10:50 offers a timeless blueprint for our own spiritual journey. His immediate and unhesitating response to Jesus's call challenges us to examine our own readiness to answer God's invitation. What "garments" or hindrances might we be clinging to—whether they are pride, fear, past failures, material possessions, unhealthy relationships, or even our own perceived security—that prevent us from fully approaching Jesus? Bartimaeus's act of casting away his cloak is a powerful metaphor for surrendering everything that defines our old identity or keeps us bound, in order to embrace the freedom and new life found in Christ. His active pursuit, despite his physical limitation, reminds us that faith is not passive; it requires intentional movement, determination, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones towards the One who can bring true healing and transformation. We are called not just to believe in Jesus, but to actively come to Him, leaving behind whatever hinders our complete devotion and trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "garments" or hindrances in your life might you need to cast away to more fully come to Jesus?**
* **In what areas of your life are you being called to respond to Jesus with immediate and decisive action, rather than hesitation?**
* **How does Bartimaeus's active faith inspire you to pursue God more intentionally and courageously in your own circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why was casting away his garment so significant for Bartimaeus?**

Answer: For a blind beggar in ancient times, the outer garment (Greek: _himátion_) was far more than just clothing; it was often their most valuable, if not only, possession. It served as a blanket for warmth at night, a cushion to sit on during the day, and a place to collect alms. Therefore, to "cast away" his garment, as Bartimaeus did in [Mark 10:50](/mark/10-50 "Mark 10:50 - Bartimaeus's Immediate Response"), was an extraordinary act of urgency and profound symbolism. It demonstrated his absolute disregard for his earthly security and comfort, signifying a complete abandonment of his old life, his identity as a beggar, and his reliance on anything other than Jesus. It showed his total focus and desperate desire to reach Christ, willing to leave everything behind for the hope of a new life.

**Does Bartimaeus's action imply that we must give up all our possessions to follow Jesus?**

Answer: While Bartimaeus's act of casting away his garment is a powerful symbol of radical discipleship, it doesn't necessarily mean that every believer must literally give up all their material possessions. Rather, it emphasizes the spiritual principle of **detachment** and **prioritization**. For Bartimaeus, the garment represented his entire existence as a beggar; letting it go symbolized his readiness to abandon his old life and identity. For us, it means being willing to surrender anything—whether it's material wealth, pride, fear, comfort zones, or even our own plans and ambitions—that might hinder our full and immediate response to Jesus's call. The command to "seek ye first the kingdom of God" (see [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")) implies that our ultimate allegiance and trust must be in God, not in earthly things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Bartimaeus's encounter with Jesus in [Mark 10:50](/mark/10-50 "Mark 10:50 - Bartimaeus's Immediate Response") is a rich foreshadowing and vivid illustration of the transformative power of Christ. His desperate cry, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (see [Mark 10:47](/mark/10-47 "Mark 10:47 - Bartimaeus Cries Out")), acknowledges Jesus's messianic identity, and his subsequent actions demonstrate the kind of radical faith that receives salvation. Just as Bartimaeus cast aside his garment—a symbol of his old life of blindness and beggary—so too does Christ call us to shed the "garments" of our sin, self-righteousness, and spiritual blindness. Jesus, the true light of the world (see [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), came to give sight not only to the physically blind but, more profoundly, to those spiritually lost in darkness (compare [Isaiah 42:7](/isaiah/42-7 "Isaiah 42:7 - Opening Blind Eyes")). Bartimaeus's immediate rising and coming to Jesus mirrors the call to spiritual resurrection and active pursuit of Christ, who offers not just physical healing but eternal life and a new identity in Him (see [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). His story is a powerful testament to the truth that when we, like Bartimaeus, respond with urgent, unreserved faith to the call of the Savior, we are met with His boundless compassion and receive the ultimate healing: salvation and the ability to "see" and follow Him on the way (see [Mark 10:52](/mark/10-52 "Mark 10:52 - Bartimaeus Follows Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 3:7

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:9

¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Hebrews 12:1

¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,