Mark 10:46-52
Bartimaeus Threw Off His Cloak
Read the passage
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
As Jesus leaves Jericho with His disciples and a crowd, Bartimaeus is sitting beside the road. He is blind and begs for a living. Hearing that Jesus is passing, he calls to Him as Son of David and asks for mercy.
Many tell him to be quiet, but he cries out more loudly. Jesus stops and tells them to call him. The message he receives is encouraging: get up, Jesus is calling. He throws off his cloak, rises quickly and comes.
Jesus asks what he wants Him to do. The question gives Bartimaeus room to state his need himself. He asks to see again. Jesus tells him that his faith has healed him, and his sight returns immediately.
The request differs sharply from the one James and John have just made. They sought honored seats; Bartimaeus sought mercy and sight. After receiving them, he follows Jesus along the road.
Calling Him Son of David points toward the promised king from David’s line. God had promised David an enduring royal house, and this man addresses Jesus with hope in that promise. The One he calls hears him despite the crowd’s attempts to silence him.
The account ends with a changed relationship to the road. Bartimaeus began beside it, dependent on others’ gifts. Now he walks after Jesus, receiving sight and responding as a follower.
Questions
1 What does Bartimaeus ask for when he first calls out?
AnswerMercy from Jesus, whom he calls Son of David. The title carries hope in God’s promised king from David’s line.
2 How does Jesus respond to the man the crowd is silencing?
AnswerHe stops and has him called. Bartimaeus is given an opportunity to approach and state his need.
3 What does Bartimaeus ask when Jesus questions him?
AnswerTo see again. Jesus hears his own request, and his sight is restored immediately.
4 What does he do after receiving sight?
AnswerHe follows Jesus along the road. His response goes beyond receiving help to accompanying the One who has shown him mercy.
What This Means for Us
Bartimaeus’s need is not made unimportant by the crowd’s impatience. Jesus stops for him. We can bring our needs to Christ without first making ourselves impressive or accepting another person’s judgment that we do not matter.
We can also notice whose voice is being crowded out around us. Give the person room to speak and ask what help they want. Respectful care listens to them, rather than assuming that our view of their need is the whole story.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. Thank You for hearing Bartimaeus and giving him sight. Help us follow You gratefully and make room for the people others overlook. Amen.