The Healing of Bartimaeus

On His last journey to Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus passed through Jericho. By the roadside sat the blind beggar Bartimaeus. Although Bartimaeus had never seen a miracle, he was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and could help him. Therefore he cried out loudly when he heard about Jesus: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Bartimaeus was not disappointed: The Lord Jesus opened his eyes. Grateful and happy, Bartimaeus then followed the Lord Jesus.

Differences in the Gospels

If we compare the accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke about this healing of a blind man, two major differences stand out:

• Matthew mentions two blind men, while Mark and Luke mention only one.
• Matthew and Mark write that Jesus met the blind man (or the blind men) as He was going out of Jericho, while Luke says it happened as He was approaching Jericho.

The first difference causes little difficulty. Mark and Luke do not deny there were several. They simply report only one blind man, Bartimaeus. This article also focuses on him.

It is good to understand why Matthew mentions two blind men. Matthew addresses Jews first. They attach great importance to every matter being confirmed by two or three witnesses. Here, two are presented. They had experienced that they were given sight.

The second difference can be explained by Jericho being a kind of twin city. There was an old and a new Jericho, 1.5 kilometers apart. The new Jericho arose in the time of the Maccabees. It was later magnificently expanded by Herod the Great who made it his winter residence.

The miracle probably happened as the Lord went out from old Jericho. That is what Matthew and Mark show. He was approaching the new Jericho, as Luke presents it.

Bartimaeus Begs  

Between the two parts of Jericho—certainly a good place to beg—sat Bartimaeus. He could not see the impressive buildings or the spring blossoms. His name means “son of the honored one.” His father may have been honored. But Bartimaeus, as a beggar, certainly was not. He eked out a sad existence.

This blind beggar Bartimaeus in Jericho—the “cursed city” (Joshua 6:26)—is a picture of a lost and sinful person:

• The sinner is blind. He recognizes neither himself nor God’s glory. He sits in darkness and the shadow of death.
• The sinner is poor with respect to God. Spiritual blessings are unknown to him.
• The sinner lives in a world marked by corruption and curse.
• The sinner has no hope. It was like a blind man with no prospect of being healed by a doctor.

Every day we meet sinners who are blind and poor. Do we still sense how bleak and miserable their life is without the Lord Jesus?

Bartimaeus Cries for Mercy  

About a week before Passover, many were traveling to Jerusalem. There was a crowd in Jericho. But Bartimaeus heard that something special was happening. Blind people often have good hearing. He asked what was going on (Luke 18:36). The people’s answer was good. He was told what mattered: “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

Bartimaeus must have known something about Christ. He immediately called on Him for help. He did not think about begging good money from the many people. He wanted more. He wanted to be able to see through Jesus. For Bartimaeus it was probably the first chance to be healed. It was surely the last. Now or never. With that awareness, he cried out.

It is remarkable that the crowds spoke of Jesus the Nazarene. Yet he called Him Son of David. They emphasized that Jesus came from the despised town of Nazareth in Galilee. That made some question whether He could be the Messiah. Compare John 7:41–42. Bartimaeus emphasized that He was the Son of David. That shows his messianic claims. Compare Mark 12:35 and Luke 1:32.

When Bartimaeus thought of the Son of David, he was not focused only on a coming kingdom. He believed that Christ would help him here and today and trusted that he would experience the Lord’s mercy.

We may make it clear to people that the despised Nazarene is the Savior of the world. And He wants to become their personal Savior as well. If we truly care about that, we may soon see someone reach out. He will experience God’s mercy personally.

Bartimaeus Is Rebuked

Some could not bear Bartimaeus’s loud crying. Who did this fringe figure think he was, drawing all attention to himself? And who gave him the right to proclaim the Nazarene Jesus loudly as Son of David? Those very people who were traveling with Christ and walking in front of the crowd cut off the crying Bartimaeus (Luke 18:39).

Even today, religious people can be a hindrance. They are only outwardly close to Christ. Sometimes they block souls who long for salvation. They do not understand a sinner’s need. They also do not understand budding faith. They want the cry for rescue to fade unheard. How serious that is. But God’s children too can unintentionally place obstacles. They do so through words and actions.

Bartimaeus was not intimidated by the collective rebuke. He cried out all the more: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” He cried loudly because a testimony for the Son of David was clearly needed. He also did not want his cry to be lost in the crowd’s murmur.

Bartimaeus Is Called  

Jesus stopped. In Joshua’s days the sun stood still (Joshua 10:12–13). But now the One who made the sun stood still. He had set His face to go to Jerusalem. Yet He stopped. Why? Was He prevented by a hostile power from continuing the divinely appointed way? Never. His heart, full of love, moved Him. He listened to the cry of a helpless man.

The Lord Jesus instructed them to call Bartimaeus and to lead him to Him (Luke 18:40). His messengers said three things (Mark 10:49):

• “Take courage.” They first encouraged him. The Lord often did the same.
• “Get up.” They urged him to stand up.
• “He is calling for you!” They made clear that Jesus Himself had called him.

So as the Lord’s messengers, we may encourage people to come to the Savior. We urge them to respond to His call. That way they do not miss salvation.

Blind people cannot throw themselves into a crowd. Therefore Bartimaeus had to wait until Jesus stopped and called him. That had now happened. Bartimaeus’s reaction speaks volumes (Mark 10:50):

• “He threw off his cloak.” He did not calmly set it aside and store it carefully. He threw it off decisively. He wanted to come to Christ as quickly as possible.
• “And jumped up.” He did not rise slowly. He jumped up.
• “And came to Jesus.” He apparently rushed off. He did so without letting the helpers lead him.

All of this shows how intensely Bartimaeus longed to be healed. Even today, amid frightening indifference, there are people who burn to learn the way of salvation. Since no one has that desire written on their forehead, we must scatter the seed of God’s word widely. Then it can, here and there, fall into prepared hearts.

Bartimaeus Is Healed

As Bartimaeus approached Jesus, the Lord asked him: “What do you want Me to do for you?” The Lord knew, of course. But it was important for Bartimaeus to voice his request. He would then feel his dependence and helplessness more deeply. Those standing nearby also recognized something. The beggar Bartimaeus had faith to be healed. He had not come for a handout. Bartimaeus did not hesitate. He asked Jesus to let him see again (Mark 10:51). He addressed Him as “Rabbuni” (that is, “Master”). He showed that he valued His words, and he valued His works as well. He also respectfully called Him “Lord” (Luke 18:41). He trusted the Lord Jesus to do what no human can do. He could make a blind man see. How did the Lord respond to this request? Scripture makes clear what was in His heart. It shows what His hands did. It shows what His mouth spoke:

• Jesus was moved with compassion (Matthew 20:34).
• His heart was full of mercy.
• He differed from the crowd.
• They had treated the blind man, or the blind men, harshly.
• Jesus touched his eyes and said: “Regain your sight!” (Matthew 20:34; Mark 10:41).
• The Lord showed His mercy and His power.
• He effortlessly opened the blind man’s eyes.
• Jesus also said: “Go; your faith has made you well” (Mark 10:52; Luke 18:42).
• The healing was a great display of power.
• Yet the Lord did not speak about that.
• He spoke about the faith that had drawn on His power.
• Everyone recognized this.
• The blind man was not healed because he had done something.
• He was healed because he believed.

There stood Bartimaeus with his eyes opened. Before, he could only weep with them. Now, he could see with them. The first thing he saw was the kind eyes of his Savior. What joy must have swept through his heart! What do people today expect from the Lord Jesus? Many connect the name Jesus only with good guidelines for living together. They think of values for society, and the like. They do not think that He wants to lead sinners out of darkness. He wants to bring them into God’s wonderful light. How tragic it would have been if Bartimaeus had not asked for his sight. How much more tragic it is when people choose to remain in darkness forever!

Bartimaeus Follows Jesus

When the work of healing was completed, the perfect Servant moved on at once. With “Go” (Mark 10:52), He left the healed man to choose his path. Yet, without being asked, the formerly blind man followed in His footsteps. The Lord did not forbid it. He also did not command silence about the miracle. He had done that with the two healed blind men in Matthew 9:30. For He was on His way to Jerusalem where He would be presented to the people as King. There, not only two blind men would cry, “Son of David!” A great crowd would do so as well (Matthew 21:9, 15). Bartimaeus followed the Lord Jesus. He glorified God on his joyful way. He did not wait until he came to the temple to praise. His gratitude burst out of him. This praise was contagious. For all the people were led to the praise of God (Luke 18:43). That included those who had snapped at him before. If we have come from darkness into God’s light, we may and should follow the Lord Jesus. We should glorify God with our mouth. Discipleship and praise belong together!

Summary

The Lord Jesus is ready to give the light of life to every spiritually blind person. No sinner needs to wait for a special moment for their “healing.” Everyone can and should, today, firmly take hold of God’s saving hand in faith. It is our task as Christians to present that to our fellow human beings. And when someone has taken the step toward Christ, one thing is natural. They want to remain near the Lord Jesus. And their mouth opens to the praise of God.