And they came to Jericho: 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 highway side begging.
MARK 10:46KJVWhat does Mark 10:46 mean?
Mark 10:46 describes Jesus arriving at Jericho and, as he leaves the city with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind man named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, is sitting by the roadside begging. This verse sets the scene for a significant encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus, highlighting the man’s need and his position as an outsider.
The verse is part of a narrative where Jesus is traveling with his followers and is surrounded by many people. Bartimaeus is introduced not only by name but also by his condition—he is blind and dependent on begging for survival. This detail prepares the reader for the interaction that follows, where Bartimaeus will call out to Jesus for help, making his story stand out in the flow of events as Jesus moves toward Jerusalem.
The Greek behind Mark 10:46
- Βαρτιμαῖος (Bartimaios, “Bartimaeus”): The name is given in both its Aramaic form (“son of Timaeus”) and then explained in Greek, which is unusual and draws attention to the man’s identity and possibly his reputation.
- τυφλός (tuphlos, “blind”): This word emphasizes Bartimaeus’s physical condition, which is central to the story and to understanding his desperation and hope.
- ἐπαιτῶν (epaitōn, “begging”): The Greek word for “begging” points to Bartimaeus’s social status—he is not just blind but also poor and dependent on the charity of others, underlining his vulnerability.
Why Mark 10:46 matters
- Mark 10:46 introduces Bartimaeus in a way that highlights both his need and his faith, setting up a contrast between the crowd and this marginalized individual who will soon seek Jesus’s attention.
- The verse connects to the broader theme in Mark of Jesus’s concern for those on the margins—Bartimaeus is physically blind and socially excluded, yet he becomes a key figure in this passage.
- By specifying the location (Jericho) and the presence of a large crowd, the verse emphasizes the public nature of what is about to happen, making Bartimaeus’s actions and Jesus’s response more striking in context.