What is the story of blind Bartimaeus?

"And they come to Jericho, and as he was going out from Jericho and his disciples and a considerable crowd, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus the blind, was sitting by the wayside begging. And having heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, O Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me. And many were rebuking him that he might be silent, but he cried out so much the more, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still and said that he should be called. And they call the blind, saying to him, Be of good courage, rise: he calleth thee. And, throwing away his garment, he sprang up and came unto Jesus. And Jesus in answer said to him, What wilt thou that I should do to thee? And the blind said, Teacher (Rabboni), that I may receive sight. And Jesus said to him, Go thy way; thy faith hath healed (saved) thee. And immediately he received sight, and followed him in the way" (vers. 46-52).

Observe how the blind Israelites at the beginning of our Lord's ministry appeal to Him as Son of David. It was a matter of revealed promise that Messiah should open their eyes; and as they believed with their heart, they confessed with their mouth, and got the blessing. It was not so with the Canaanite, though she too believed, and with rare faith. But like many a believer, she at first applied on a wrong ground; from which the Lord led her into the right and true, that she might all the better enjoy the grace that awaited her. Here the call on the Son of David exactly suits the ways of God, when Christ finally presented Himself to the people, about to consummate His rejection to their own utter ruin for the present. It is the starting-point for His last Messianic offer to Jerusalem, where the blind that cried in faith were made to see, and those who said they saw were made blind for their unbelief and enmity.

O my reader, call on the Lord, like the once blind Bartimaeus. Hitherto you have been blind, and have followed blind leaders into the ditch. But Jesus still waits to heal and extricate you. Fear not. Be of good courage, if now you feel your need, and believe that all authority and power are His. Does He not call you as truly as He did the son of Timaeus? Read not His words so unbelievingly. These things are written that you may believe unto life and salvation. Profit by the lesson of his earnest importunity. Many, who felt not their own need any more than his, kept rebuking him. It was not decorum — in their view who were travelling at ease to perdition. Such cries might be well on the sabbath perhaps, and no doubt on a dying bed; but they were wholly objectionable by the wayside and before a crowd.

The Lord heard as He ever does the call of distress and of faith, took His stand, and bade him be brought before Him. And how graphic the sketch, and instructive the eagerness of the blind man casting away his cloak that he might get to the Lord! Poor as he was, he must lay aside every hindrance and go to Him at once. And Jesus answered his heart, and drew out its desire: "Great Teacher, that I may receive sight." And immediately was it given; he also followed Jesus in the way. For this His sheep do. It is their instinct of life in Him; as it is His word to them, that they may be kept in a world of evil, snares, and danger. But the Lord Jesus guides and guards His own, yet not without their hearing His voice and following Him all the way through. And a stranger will they not follow, as the rule (the only right and safe rule), but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers.

"And they came to Jericho." That city which first opposed itself to the entrance of Israel into the land of promise, but fell by the mighty power of God, when His people submitted themselves to His word by Joshua; that city which brought the predicted curse on him and his sons who reared it again; that city whose waters were healed, and from whose land barrenness was taken away in grace by the prophet, is the scene of a remarkable display of beneficent power, in answer to the faith that owned the promised Seed and King.

"And as He went out of Jericho, with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the wayside begging." I do not doubt that it is the same incident which is recorded in Matt. 20 and in Luke 18. But the differences are so great as to have occasioned doubts of this in some.111 The truth is that each is perfect. Matthew gives the double cure — true to his habit (see Matt. 8) and the exigency of Jewish witness. Luke so states it that the careless might infer that the cure took place as the Lord went into (instead of as He came out of) Jericho. His moral order required the juxtaposition of the tale of Zacchaeus and the parable of the nobleman, as illustrating the scope of the two advents, and hence displaced of necessity the story of the blind man. But Luke takes care to say, not "as he was come nigh unto Jericho" (as the English Bible and others), but "as He was nigh to Jericho," ἐν τῳ ἐγγίζειν αὐτὸν εἰς Ἰεριχώ, without saying whether it was His coming or His going."112 He was in that neighbourhood. Some manuscripts give "the son of Timeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, sat," etc. The Sinai copy has "blind and a beggar." As usual, our Evangelist relates the facts and even names with characteristic precision. "And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazaraean,† he began to cry out, and say, Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me." No expression of unbelief on the part of others could stifle his own cry of faith. It was, no doubt, in keeping with his wants to call on Him to whom Isaiah of old testified, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened" (Isa. 35:5). Others knew this Scripture as well as Bartimaeus, but he claimed the blessing from the despised Nazarene. They said they saw, and therefore their sin remained. As for him, he was confessedly miserable, poor, and blind; naked, too, he was content to be, if he might the more readily cast himself on the Lord. The multitude, not feeling their own need, had no sympathy with one who felt his, and sought to drown his importunity. But it was God who had laid it on the heart of the blind beggar — God who, in his appeal to the rejected Messiah, rebuked the incredulity of His people, as miserable and poor and blind as he — yea, more so, incomparably more, because they felt it not, and owned not their King. For them He was but Jesus of Nazareth. "And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Son of David, have mercy on me." BDLΔ and ℵ, as stated above; the T.R. follows A, etc. †"Nazaraean": so ℵAC, etc. Edd. adopt "Nazarene," after BLΔ, I, with most Old Latin and Amiatine. See note 112.

"And it came to pass when he was in the neighbourhood of Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the wayside begging;467 and when he heard the crowd passing, he asked what this might be. And they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, and he called aloud, saying, Jesus, Son of David, pity me. And those in advance rebuked him that he should be silent; but he kept crying much more, Son of David, pity me. And Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, What wilt thou that I should do for thee? And he said, Lord, that I should receive my sight. And Jesus said, Receive sight: thy faith has healed thee. And immediately he received sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people saw, and gave praise to God."

The Lord was still the rejected One, not understood even by His disciples, yet with a heart towards the most lowly and wretched in Israel who cried to Him in faith. The blind man near Jericho was one of them, and seized the moment of His presence, made known to his sightless eyes by the heedless noise of those who seeing saw not. Blindness in part had happened to Israel in good sooth, blindness most of all to such of them as least acknowledged it. Here was one who, near the city of the curse, dared to confess Him to be the Messiah Whom the religious chiefs had long desired to destroy, and sooner than they hoped were to be allowed to do so, and yet they dared to ask of Him that sign of opening the eyes of the blind peculiar to the Son of David, as even rabbinical tradition confessed. The story of His gracious power was not lost on the blind man. Now was his opportunity: might it not be the last? He called aloud; and the more rebuked, the more by far he cried. If to others Jesus was but the Nazarene, to him none other than David's Son. "Son of David, pity me." And never in vain goes forth the appeal of distress to Him. How pleasant in His ears the persistent call on His name! Jesus stops, commands him to be brought, inquires into his want, and gives all he asks. So will He in the day of His power when Israel (the remnant becoming the people) shall be made willing, shall call on Him and find sight, salvation, and every other good thing to the praise and glory of God.468

He enters by Jericho, the cursed city, but He enters it according to the grace which surpasses the curse; indeed He was going to bear it Himself. The Son of David comes in grace, with divine power, able to accomplish all things, but in humility and lowliness. He answers, therefore, to this name of Son of David, shewing forth His power in grace in healing the blind man. The crowd accompanying Him does not wish Him to be disturbed, but He stops and listens to the needs of His people in His grace. He orders Bartimaeus to be brought, who runs to Him with joy. His felt needs make him run to Christ, who is just the One to meet his needs, and to apply an effective remedy.

The blind man was a speaking picture of the dark state of the Jews; but in that which took place we see the Lord's work in producing by His grace the feeling of need in the heart of a Jew at that time. No doubt it is true for every time, but especially in this case, of the Jews in their state at that moment. The crowd, when Bartimaeus asked what the noise was, said to him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. This was a name which did not convey any idea to the Jews; Nazareth was rather a name with which reproach was connected. But there was faith to be found in the blind man's heart, according to the place that Jesus took with regard to His people: the man says, "Son of David." He recognises the truth that Jesus of Nazareth had the right to that title. Jesus responds to his faith, and heals the blind man. He receives his sight, and follows Jesus in the way.

The Blind Beggar. — By the wayside the beggar named, as Mark tells us, Bartimaeus — i.e., son of Timaeus — was sitting and plying his calling (18:35-43). Attracted by the noise of a multitude passing, he inquired what it meant. Jesus the Nazarean, they said, was passing by. At once he cried, not, as usual, asking for alms, but desiring his sight, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Son of David! Now very few thus saluted the Lord when here in His humiliation. The blind men in Galilee (Matt. 9:27), Bartimaeus and his companion (Matt. 20:30-31) here at Jericho, the Syrophoenician mother (Matt. 15:22), and the children in the temple (Matt. 21:15), are the only examples furnished us. The multitudes in Galilee could ask one another, "Is not this the Son of David?" (Matt. 12:23); but only blind men, who could not see Him, the woman who was not of Israel's seed, and children, to whom none would naturally turn for such information, saluted Him as the Son of David. Where learned scribes might profess to have a difficulty, the above-mentioned had none. He was — and they owned it — the Son of David.

Rebuked by those who went before that he should hold his peace, the blind man only cried out the more a great deal, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Would his reiterated appeal reach the ear of the Lord? Could it be heard above the noise which necessarily accompanies a passing multitude? It could, and it did. And all progress on the onward march was arrested by the cry of blind Bartimaeus. "Jesus stood," we read, "and commanded him to be brought to Him." Many had rebuked him to hold his peace. Now he had reached the immediate presence of the Lord, and was permitted to prefer in person his request. Sight, not alms, he wanted; sight he asked for; sight he got. But more, the Lord spake a word in commendation of his faith: "Receive thy sight; thy faith has made thee whole." A beggar could receive blessing, for it depended, not on that which any man could give or do, but on faith in the Lord to heal. The man's circumstances were no obstacle to his receiving that which he desired. Where faith draws out the blessing the rich man has no advantage over the poor man, even if this last be a beggar. Receiving his sight, he forthwith showed that he needed no human hand any longer to guide him. He showed to all that he had sight, for he followed the Lord glorifying God. "He followed Jesus in the way," wrote Mark (10:52), for the Lord had now left Jericho, with His face set toward Jerusalem. Luke however writes simply that "he followed Him," for he narrates this history, as we have remarked, out of its chronological order. In the way is in perfect keeping with Mark's note of time. It would not have been so suited for our evangelist. Independent each writer was of his fellow-historian, and each was guided of the Holy Ghost. So Luke closes his account with a notice of the effect on the multitude who witnessed it: "All the people when they saw it gave praise to God" (Luke 18:43).

Ere passing on we would remark that though this miracle is related by two who witnessed it, and by a third who had subsequently, perhaps years after, become acquainted with it, each narrator furnishes something which is not mentioned by the others. From Matthew we learn there were two who got sight that day, and he likewise notices the Lord's compassion as well as His manner of healing them: "He touched their eyes." Mark, with Luke, writes of but one blind man, and tells us, in common with Luke, of his occupation. He was a beggar. Whilst Luke adds to this that he was at that time begging. But Mark alone acquaints us with his name, tells us too of the encouraging words addressed to him by the crowd when the Lord had called him: "Be of good comfort; rise; He calls thee; and graphically describes the blind man's action as, "casting away his garment, he sprang up, and came to Jesus." From him also we gather the language in which the blind beggar answered the Lord. It was Aramaic, not Greek; for Mark has preserved the title of respect, Rabboni, applied by Bartimaeus to Christ. Luke, on the other hand, has recorded the effect of the healing on the man's heart, and also on the multitude. The former glorified God; the latter praised Him; and they both tell us what Matthew omits: the Lord's commendation of the blind man's faith. It is interesting to note these differences, and it is also well. Such serve to remind us of the danger of drawing hasty conclusions from inadequate data, supposing from the silence of a historian that such and such things could not have taken place, or thinking because we know some things — those which are related — that therefore we know all about a history or an event. What we have we can, and should, stand on. To deny the possibility of this or that on the ground that it is not recorded, may land us in mistakes, and demonstrate our folly.

This service is beautifully seen now even at Jericho, the city of the curse, in the case of Bartimeaus, a blind beggar, who is a picture of the reduced condition of Israel at the very time, and a picture of us all while we were unsaved. How blind we were to the light of God's truth, not knowing where we were going, destitute of the spiritual wealth that belongs to those redeemed by the blood of Christ At least the man did not deceive himself into thinking there was nothing wrong with him. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth who passed by, he cried out for mercy.

However, he did not say, "Jesus of Nazareth," but "Jesus, Son of David." As "Jesus of Nazareth" He was the prophet who came from a place despised by the Jews (Jn.1:46), but Bartimaeus recognized Him as Israel's true King, "Son of David," and gave Him this rightful honor. His loud crying out irritated many who demanded that he be silent, but he was not to be turned away by people's opinions: he cried out the more for mercy from the son of David. Certainly the Lord Jesus had heard him at his first cry, yet waited to have him called until he had proven the persistence of his faith.

"Jesus stood still." Precious response of genuine care for one in confessed need! He commanded the man to be called. Bartimaeus threw away his garment, rose and came to Jesus. No doubt he felt it unfitting that he should present himself to the Lord in beggar's clothing, which reminds us that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa.64:6). The Lord's question to him drew out the request concerning his most deeply felt need, that he might receive his sight. Who but the great Messiah of Israel, the Son of David, could be expected to answer such a prayer? The answer is however immediate, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole." On the part of the man nothing but faith had resulted in the giving of his sight, which took place simultaneously with the Lord's words to him. Wonderful miracle of grace!

Certainly the giving of spiritual sight is no less a marvellous miracle accomplished in every soul who receives Christ as a personal Savior. There is no doubt that this man received both natural sight and spiritual sight on that memorable day. The way he chose then was to "follow Jesus in the way." We may be sure that the extremely steep climb from Jericho to Jerusalem (about 3600 feet in 13 miles) meant nothing to him in comparison to his joy in following the Lord Jesus.Bethphage and Bethany were near to Jerusalem. No mention is made by Mark of the supper made for the Lord Jesus at Bethany, which no doubt took place at this time, for it was more appropriate that John should speak of this (Jn.12:1-8). In this area He instructs two of His disciples to go to a village where on entering they would find an unbroken colt tied, and to bring it to Him. Only the Lord of glory could give such an order, for He is Creator, therefore Master of all creation. If any objection was made, they had only to say "The Lord hath need of him," and there would be no problem

(Mark 10:45-52) The Lord enters Jericho — the city of the curse — not in judgment to execute the curse, but in lowly grace that was about to bear the curse. Passing out of the city we hear of a blind man sitting by the wayside begging. May we not say that the physical condition of the blind man sets forth the moral condition of the nation? The Messiah was present with grace and power to bless, but the nation, as such, was blind both to the glory of His Person, and to its own deep need. All they could see in Jesus was a despised Nazarene.

In contrast to the crowd, Bartimaeus was conscious of his need, and his own helplessness to meet his need. As ever it is the needy soul that is attracted to Jesus, and that discerns His glory. The people may speak of Jesus as a Nazarene, but faith can discern in that lowly Man the Son of David, the One of whom it is written that He would "open the blind eyes" (Is. 42:7). Thus the blind man can "cry out, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me."

As ever, when a soul is seeking Jesus there will be hindrances to overcome. Many would have the blind man hold his peace, and not have the Lord disturbed by a beggar. But faith rising above every hindrance, cried out the more a great deal, and grace on the part of the Lord "stood still" and commanded him to be called. Casting away his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. Good, indeed, when conscious of our need, and discerning something of the glory of Jesus, we cast away the garment of any righteousness of our own in which we might trust, and come to Jesus just as we are, in all our need and helplessness. Very blessedly, when the Lord asks, "What wilt thou that I should do to thee?" the blind man replies, "That I might receive my sight." The Lord takes the place of the doer, and the blind man accepts the place of the receiver. At once the Lord acknowledges this simple faith. The blind man receives his sight and "followed Jesus in the way," from henceforth to be His disciple. He did not attempt to follow Jesus in order to receive his sight; but having received the blessing he became a follower. We must first receive the blessings of salvation and forgiveness through what Christ has done before we can follow Him as an object for our soul's delight.

He was just passing out of Jericho, after being a guest at the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19). The fact that this city had lain under a special curse for ages was no barrier with Him; divine grace in Him rose supreme over everything. Had it not been so, He would never have visited our earth, so long under God's displeasure because of sin. A blind beggar, hearing the tramp of a crowd, and inquiring what it meant, learned that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Mark tells us his name was Bartimaeus; Matthew lets us know that he had a companion, this being the third instance in which the first Gospel notes two sufferers where the other Gospels speak only of one.

Bartimaeus cried out lustily: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." He received no rebuff from the Saviour for addressing Him by this title. In using it he was as right as the Syro-Phoenician woman was wrong. As born of the stock of Israel, he was entitled to look for a king of David's line who should open the eyes of the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf, make the lame leap as a hart, and teach the tongue of the dumb to sing (Isa. 35:5-6). Bystanders sought to silence him, but to no purpose. "He cried out the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (Mark 10:48). Had he missed this opportunity, he would never have had another, for the Lord never visited Jericho again.

His cry reached the Saviour's ears. Learning that he might approach, the blind man "cast away his garment, sprang up, and came to Jesus" (R.V.). This poor man reads us many lessons. There is a garment of self-righteousness which multitudes are hugging today to their soul's harm. Oh, that they would cast it from them, and as sinners seek the Saviour's feet! (Rom. 10:3). Many among us would also do well to imitate Bartimaeus' earnestness in appealing for the blessing, and the alacrity with which he hastened to receive it. One word from Jesus sufficed for his healing: "Go thy way; thy faith has made thee whole." Not only he, but also those who beheld the miracle, burst forth in praise to God (Luke 18:43). The Lord did not bid him be silent about his healing as when He healed two blind men some time before (Matt. 9:30). He was about to present Himself publicly in Jerusalem as Israel's long expected King, and it was well that a testimony should be rendered at this juncture to His person and His power. But the clearest testimony avails nothing for men willingly blinded by Satan; hence no crown awaited Him in Jerusalem but a crown of thorns; no throne of glory was in preparation for Him, but instead a cross of shame. But this, in the wonderful ways of God, has secured our salvation from eternal woe.

Jericho was next reached; an important stage in this journey to Jerusalem. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all notice it. There, grace was manifested to two blind men, writes Matthew; whilst Mark and Luke tell us only of one of them, whom Mark mentions by name, the son of Timaeus, therefore called Bar-timaeus. A blind beggar he was, sitting by the wayside where Jesus was to pass in leaving the city. Mark makes this perfectly plain (52). Bartimaeus could not see, but he could hear. The noise of a crowd passing by attracted him, and he asked what it meant. Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. What a moment that was for him! It was the Son of David, and he claimed His help: "Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Many, however, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace. Why should he trouble the Master? Ah, but they had no want. Bartimaeus had a crying one; he was blind, and desired sight. He had faith, too, in the power and the willingness of the Lord. Now was his opportunity, and he took it. So "he cried the more, a great deal: "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!"

One knows what noise a passing crowd makes. The tramp of feet and the talking could easily drown the voice of a wayside beggar. But the Lord heard it. No noise, however great or distracting, hinders a petition for mercy reaching His ear. "He stood still." All progress was arrested; and the Lord said, "Call ye him." Mark has put on record the Lord's word of command, and the words of the crowd, "Be of good comfort; rise, He calleth thee." From him also we learn of the ready response on the part of Bartimaeus, who, "casting away his garment, sprang up, and came to Jesus."

In a minute the filling of his purse, and the getting of money are forgotten, and his voice rings over the crowd: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." That is what he says. The people said: "Hold your peace, be quiet; do not make a noise. Do you think He will stop for you?" But we read, "He cried the more, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." And that voice of need falls on the Saviour's ear, and touches His heart, and Scripture says, "Jesus stood still." He was on His way to Jerusalem to perform the wonderful work of the cross, of which I have spoken, but the cry of need arrested Him. He is now in heaven, in glory, but, the voice of need touches Him now, just as the voice of misery and need touched Him then. "Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying to him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calls thee."

And what do we then find? "And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus." The thing that hindered him, he cast away. Picture to yourself that blind man, sitting by the roadside, with the people all around him. When his cry is heard he felt, If I am going to get to Him through that crowd, I must cast off my garment — it will but hinder me; and so he cast away his garment. He got rid of the thing that hindered him. Every man has hindrances. Do you likewise get rid of your hindrances, and come to Jesus. Read it again: "And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus." He was in earnest; he came to Jesus. He got through the crowd, until he stood in the presence of Jesus. "And Jesus answered and said to him, What wilt thou that I should do to thee?" That is the point: "What wilt thou that I should do to thee?" "The blind man said to him, Lord, that I might receive my sight." He wanted to see; he wanted his sight.

What do you want? Your sins forgiven; your soul saved; pardon, love, and acceptance with Him? You may have all. What Christ does, is to put down a blank cheque, with His name at the bottom, and you can fill it in for any amount you like. He says to you tonight, "What wilt thou that I should do to thee?" What is it you desire? That you may see the Saviour, the Son of God, who died but rose again? "Lord, that I might receive my sight," said the blind man. "And Jesus said to him, Go thy way, thy faith has made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight." His eyes were opened, and what was the first object he saw? Jesus! And that is what happens when the eyes of the sinner are opened. He sees Jesus.

The Lord says to him: "Go thy way, thy faith has made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." He did what the rich young man did not do. Jesus said to the rich young man, "Come, take up the cross, and follow me." And he went away sorrowful. To this man, with his eyes now open, what did Jesus say? "Go thy way." Observe the Lord never makes a man follow Him. He would not make him a compulsory follower, if I may so speak. He who follows Him must love to follow, and that is just Bartimaeus' case. What do I read? "He received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." He quickly made up his mind that henceforth the way of Jesus was to be his way. He followed Jesus. That was right. There is no compulsion. Did I tell you that you must follow Jesus, you would not do it. But you may follow Jesus. If you learn His love, you will follow Him. You will say from this night, Christ for me, and I am going to follow Christ, through evil report, and good. I am going to be for Jesus, and to follow Him in the way.