Mark 10:46-52 · Bible study
Mark 10:46-52 Commentary: Blind Bartimaeus
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why Mark names Bartimaeus, what his place ‘beside the road’ means, and how persistence and faith lead to discipleship.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Persistent faith in Jesus as Messiah leads to both physical healing and the call to become a disciple who follows on the way.
- Key words: Son of David (messianic title), Rabboni (highest honorific), saved (sesōken: both healing and salvation), the way (hodos: discipleship path).
- Main debate: Does “your faith has saved you” refer only to physical sight, or also to spiritual salvation? Most commentators (Calvin, Lange) see both.
- Theological theme: Faith as persistent trust that names Jesus as Messiah and leads to transformation and discipleship.
- Best use: A model for prayer, healing services, and teaching on the cost and joy of following Jesus.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
46Next, 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.
47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48Many people admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man. “Take courage!” they said. “Get up! He is calling for you.”
50Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus.
51“What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “Rabboni,” said the blind man, “let me see again.”
52“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
WEB World English Bible 2000
46They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.
47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”
48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”
49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”
50He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”
52Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.
KJV King James Version 1769
46And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47And 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.
48And 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.
49And 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.
50And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51And 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.
52And 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
46And 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.
47And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
48And 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.
49And 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.
50And he, casting away his garment, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
51And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.
52And 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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
46And they come to Jericho, and as he is going forth from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, a son of Timaeus--Bartimaeus the blind--was sitting beside the way begging,
47and having heard that it is Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and to say, `The Son of David--Jesus! deal kindly with me;'
48and many were rebuking him, that he might keep silent, but the more abundantly he cried out, `Son of David, deal kindly with me.'
49And Jesus having stood, he commanded him to be called, and they call the blind man, saying to him, `Take courage, rise, he doth call thee;'
50and he, having cast away his garment, having risen, did come unto Jesus.
51And answering, Jesus saith to him, `What wilt thou I may do to thee?' and the blind man said to him, `Rabboni, that I may see again;'
52and Jesus said to him, `Go, thy faith hath saved thee:' and immediately he saw again, and was following Jesus in the way.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
46And they come to Jericho, and as he was going out from Jericho, and his disciples and a large crowd, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, the blind [man], sat by the wayside begging.
47And having heard that it was Jesus the Nazaraean, he began to cry out and to say, O Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me.
48And many rebuked him, that he might be silent; but he cried so much the more, Son of David, have mercy on me.
49And Jesus, standing still, desired him to be called. And they call the blind [man], saying to him, Be of good courage, rise up, he calls thee.
50And, throwing away his garment, he started up and came to Jesus.
51And Jesus answering says to him, What wilt thou that I shall do to thee? And the blind [man] said to him, Rabboni, that I may see.
52And Jesus said to him, Go, thy faith has healed thee. And he saw immediately, and followed him in the way.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
46And they came to Jericho. And as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a very great multitude, Bartimeus the blind man, the son of Timeus, sat by the way side begging.
47Who when he had heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, began to cry out and to say: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
48And many rebuked him, that he might hold his peace; but he cried a great deal the more: Son of David, have mercy on me.
49And Jesus, standing still, commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying to him: Be of better comfort. Arise, he calleth thee.
50Who casting off his garment leaped up and came to him.
51And Jesus answering, said to him: What wilt thou that I should do to thee? And the blind man said to him: Rabboni. That I may see.
52And Jesus saith to him: Go thy way. Thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he saw and followed him in the way.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Mark 10:46
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree this passage models persistent faith and the call to follow Jesus. Barnes notes that Mark mentions only one blind man, Bartimaeus, because he was well known, while Matthew records two. Clarke adds that the name means ‘son of Timaeus’ and gives the story a personal anchor. Vincent’s Word Studies highlights Mark’s vivid style: the man ‘casting away his garment’ and ‘sprang up’ show urgency and joy. Calvin stresses that faith is the key: ‘saved’ (sesōken) includes both physical healing and spiritual well-being. The Cambridge Bible observes that the cry ‘Son of David’ is messianic, and the healing ends with Bartimaeus following Jesus ‘on the way’, the road to Jerusalem, the path of discipleship. The passage closes with the healed man walking with Jesus, a concrete picture of what it means to receive sight and become a disciple.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: A blind man named Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus as Son of David, Jesus heals him, and he immediately follows Jesus on the road toward Jerusalem.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Number of blind men | Mark records one named blind man (Bartimaeus); Matthew records two unnamed blind men. | Some harmonize by saying Bartimaeus may have been the more vocal of two, and Mark focuses on him. Others see it as a separate event or a Gospel writer’s choice to emphasize one person. |
| Meaning of 'saved' (sesōken) | The word indicates that Bartimaeus was healed and made whole. | Calvin and others argue it includes spiritual salvation, faith that justifies. Some see it as referring primarily to physical healing, with spiritual implications secondary. |
| Significance of the cloak (himation) | Bartimaeus throws off his outer garment to come to Jesus quickly. | Clarke and Wesley see it as a symbol of leaving behind self-righteousness or encumbrances. Others read it simply as a practical action to move faster. |
| Why Mark names Bartimaeus | The naming makes the story personal and memorable; the man was likely known in the early Christian community. | Some say the name is given because he later became a follower and was known. Others suggest Mark’s source (perhaps Peter) remembered the name directly. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Mark 10:46-52 takes place as Jesus leaves Jericho, heading toward Jerusalem for Passover. Jericho was a wealthy oasis near the Jordan, often called the city of palms. Large crowds of pilgrims joined this route, swelling the Passover procession. The road from Jericho to Jerusalem was a steep ascent through desert, a ‘way’ that would lead to the cross. This gives the Greek hodos a double meaning: both the physical road and the way of discipleship.
Begging was common for those who were blind or disabled. Vincent’s Word Studies notes widespread eye disease in the Middle East. Bartimaeus sat ‘beside the road’ (para tēn hodon), at the boundary between the moving crowd and his stationary life. His name is unique to Mark: Bartimaeus means ‘son of Timaeus’ (‘Bar’ in Aramaic). Clarke says this specific naming suggests he was known in early Christian memory. He calls Jesus ‘Son of David’, a public, even political, messianic title. People tried to silence him, but he cried out all the more.
Jesus stops, calls him, and the man responds by throwing off his cloak (himation), his only possession and warmth. Wesley notes he acted ‘through joy and eagerness.’ He then leaps up (anapēdasas, ‘sprang up’) and comes to Jesus, mirroring the first disciples leaving their nets. Jesus asks, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’, a question that forces Bartimaeus to name his need. He answers with the highest title he knows: ‘Rabboni’ (my Master), used only here and by Mary Magdalene. The healing is immediate, and he follows Jesus ‘on the way’ (en tē hodō). Mark’s naming of Bartimaeus grounds the story in a real person known to the church, and his location beside the road symbolizes his marginal position, outside the community, yet within hearing of Jesus. The road becomes the place of encounter and the path of following.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note several textual variants. In verse 50, many early manuscripts (including Codex Bezae) read anapēdasas (‘sprang up’) instead of anastas (‘rose’), giving a more vivid picture. In verse 51, Codex Bezae and some Itala versions have Kyrie rabbi (‘O Lord, my teacher’) instead of simply ‘Rabboni’. In verse 52, several important manuscripts (ABCDL, Vulgate, Coptic) read autō (‘him’) instead of Iēsou (‘Jesus’), which avoids redundancy after the previous clause. The consulted sources note no significant variants that affect the main meaning of the passage.
Reception History
This story has been read across church history as a model of persistent prayer and the proper response to Jesus’ call. Early church fathers used Bartimaeus as an example of the catechumen, one who moves from blindness to sight and from begging to discipleship. The phrase ‘Son of David’ became a central confession in Christian liturgy. In art, Bartimaeus throwing off his cloak is a recurring image of renouncing the old life. Reformation commentators, especially Calvin and the Geneva Bible, highlighted the role of faith in receiving both physical and spiritual healing. Modern hymns such as ‘Amazing Grace’ echo the theme (‘was blind but now I see’). The passage is frequently read during Lent, linking Bartimaeus’s healing to the journey toward the cross.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- A man beside the road, Bartimaeus is blind, begging, and nameless to most, but Mark names him. He sits at the edge of the crowd, physically helpless and socially invisible.
- A cry that cannot be silenced, He calls out ‘Son of David’ despite being rebuked. His persistence grows louder. Jesus stops. The crowd’s rebuke becomes the catalyst for the call.
- From the roadside to the road, He leaves his cloak, jumps up, receives sight, and follows Jesus on the way. Faith is not just about being healed; it is about walking with Jesus.
Five-point outline
- The setting, Jesus passes through Jericho with a large Passover crowd. Bartimaeus sits begging, blind, stationary.
- The cry, Hearing it is Jesus, he shouts for mercy, using the messianic title ‘Son of David.’
- The resistance, Many rebuke him, but he cries out more. The opposition strengthens his plea.
- The call, Jesus stops, commands him to be called. The crowd’s tone shifts: ‘Take courage! Get up! He is calling you.’ Bartimaeus throws off his cloak and leaps up.
- The healing and the following, Jesus asks what he wants. He answers ‘Rabboni, that I may see again.’ Jesus says his faith has saved him. Immediately he sees and follows Jesus on the way.
Illustration hooks
- A person waiting in a hospital lobby, feeling invisible, who finally gets the courage to speak up to the specialist passing by.
- A moment when you almost didn’t ask for what you truly needed because others told you to stay quiet or be patient.
- The experience of leaving behind something familiar (a job, a habit, a security) because the opportunity to move toward Jesus is more important.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God sometimes seem to ignore my cries at first?
- How can I know if my faith is strong enough to receive healing or help?
- What does it actually look like to ‘follow Jesus on the way’ in my daily life?
Leading a Discussion
This story shows a man who refused to be silenced and who received more than he asked for. As you discuss, notice how Mark’s details, the name, the cloak, the leap, make this a vivid picture of what it means to come to Jesus and follow.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Mark names Bartimaeus when Matthew does not? What does the name add to the story?
- Bartimaeus sits “beside the road.” In what ways do people today sit on the margins, close enough to hear about Jesus but not yet following?
- The crowd rebukes Bartimaeus, but he cries out more. What pressures keep people from crying out to Jesus? What helps them persist?
- Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Why do you think Jesus asks that, when the need seems obvious?
- Bartimaeus throws off his cloak and leaps up. What “cloaks” might we need to cast aside to come to Jesus?
- Jesus says, “Your faith has saved you.” What is the connection between Bartimaeus’s faith and his healing? Does “saved” here mean only physical sight?
- At the end, Bartimaeus follows Jesus on the way. How does this story challenge or encourage your own walk with Jesus?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 20:29 | As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. |
| Matthew 20:34 | Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him. |
| Luke 16:20 | A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was taken to his gate, full of sores, |
| Luke 16:22 | The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. |
| Luke 18:35 | As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging. |
| Luke 19:1 | He entered and was passing through Jericho. |
| John 9:8 | Therefore the neighbors and those who saw that he was blind before said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?” |
| Acts 3:2 | A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that Mark mentions only Bartimeus, not to contradict Matthew's account of two blind men, but because Bartimeus was especially well known. He then draws an illustrative lesson from the blind man casting away his outer garment: the sinner should joyfully throw off the garment of his own righteousness and run without hindrance to Jesus in full faith.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that the blind man's faith was not a vague hope for sight but a settled conviction, drawn from Scripture, that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He adds that "saved" here includes the soul's salvation, not just physical healing, so the man was justified by faith and received God's favor.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible commentary focuses on the historical setting of Jericho and identifies Bartimaeus as a figure well-known to Mark's original readers, which explains the unusually detailed account. It notes the specific steps Mark records, such as Bartimaeus casting aside his garment, leaping up, and calling Jesus "Rabboni." These vivid details emphasize the personal and dramatic character of the miracle.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill reads the account of blind Bartimaeus as an extended emblem of conversion. Every detail—the blindness, the cry for mercy, the casting away of the garment, the receiving of sight, and the following of Christ—symbolically traces the spiritual journey from darkness to salvation. For Gill, the story illustrates the order, means, and effect of God's effectual calling on a sinner.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange contrasts the hierarchical crowd that tried to silence Bartimaeus with the evangelical church that says "Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee." He sees Jesus healing the blind man simply by words as a sign of the crisis—this is the triumphal procession of the Prophet, where no intermediaries stand between the King and the needy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that Bartimaeus was not only blind himself but the son of a blind father, making his condition
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to Mark's characteristic care for details, noting the specific name "Bartimaeus" and the vivid description of physical response. He cites historical sources to show how common eye diseases were in the East, and highlights a manuscript difference where the healed man leaped up rather than simply rose.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights the blind man's impulsive action of throwing off his garment as a sign of joyful eagerness, not mere desperation. The haste shows his confident hope that Jesus is about to heal him, making even a needed possession seem trivial in that moment.