Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10: 46–52)
Jesus was leaving Jericho, followed by a large crowd, on his way to Jerusalem when he came across a blind beggar called Bartimaeus.
The crowd was probably on their way to Jerusalem for Jewish festival which remembers the escape of the ancient Israelites from Egypt.. This event took place a week before Jesus’ death, so it is the last miracle that Mark records in his gospel.
Bartimaeus calls out “Jesus, Son of David. Take pity on me!”
Bartimaeus’ words show his faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Jews believed that the The word means ‘the anointed one’. The Messiah is the one believed to be sent by God to be humanity’s saviour. Many Christians believe this person to be Jesus. would be a descendant of The second king of the Israelite monarchy, usually dated to the 11th to 10th century BCE. He established Jerusalem as the capital city..
Jewish people also believed that illness and disability were a punishment from God because the person had committed sins. Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was told by the crowd to be quiet. In their opinion, he did not deserve to have Jesus listen to him.
Bartimaeus refused to be quiet and shouted all the louder as he wanted to meet Jesus. Jesus on hearing his insistence called him over and asked him what he wanted. Bartimaeus asked Jesus to restore his sight. Jesus heals him and says, “Your faith has made you well.”
Bartimaeus is an important character as his response to Jesus’ healing is an example for us to follow. On being cured, Bartimaeus immediately followed Jesus. It is thought that he was in Jesus’ group of followers who went to Jerusalem and were with him before he died.
In this story we see the end of the Jesus wanted his identity as Messiah kept secret until the end of his ministry as he knew that it would cause controversy with the religious leaders. Also, the Jewish people expected a political Messiah who would fight to get rid of Roman occupation, instead Jesus was a peaceful Messiah. . Jesus does not tell Bartimaeus to be quiet because he wants his identity as Messiah to be known as he heads into Jerusalem to face his imminent death.