Lives of Scripture

Bartimaeus, whose name means "son of Timaeus," was a blind beggar sitting by the roadside as Jesus left Jericho with a large crowd (Mark 10:46). Hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was passing, he began crying out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" -- a striking messianic title from a man who could not see, showing spiritual insight the sighted crowd lacked (10:47). Many in the crowd told him sharply to be quiet, but he only shouted louder, refusing to let the moment pass (10:48). Jesus stopped and called for him; Bartimaeus threw off his cloak -- likely his only real possession, spread out to collect coins -- and sprang up to come to Jesus (10:49-50). Jesus asked him directly, "what do you want Me to do for you?", the identical question He had just asked James and John when they requested positions of honor (10:36); Bartimaeus's request could not have been more different: "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" (10:51). Jesus healed him on the spot, telling him, "go; your faith has made you well," and Bartimaeus, rather than simply returning to his old life, "began following Him on the road" toward Jerusalem and the cross (10:52). His story is a vivid picture of persistent, undeterred faith rewarded, and of true sight leading immediately to discipleship.