As [Jesus] was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, He is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man replied to Him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

The blind see

The story of the blind Bartimaeus forms the back cover of the book of Jesus’ teaching about authentic discipleship involving rejection, suffering, and death — powerlessness — in contrast to the disciples who constantly seek power and position. The front cover is a similar story about the blind man of Bethsaida (Mk 8:22-26). In order to understand the function of the account about blind Bartimaeus, the reader must refer to the blind man of Bethsaida account and carefully consider the material which has been presented in between these two restoration of sight stories.

In both stories Mark is ironically contrasting the blind men, who receive their sight, to the seeing disciples, who are blind when it comes to what Jesus continually teaches them. The blind man of Bethsaida comes to sight in two stages, an indication that the disciples (and the reader) may expect to come to faith gradually. This blind man is sent home by Jesus. He does not become a disciple because Jesus has not yet been revealed as the Messiah.

The material that Mark presents in between these two blind men accounts deals with the revelation of Jesus’ true identity — the rejected, suffering Son of Man, who will be put to death in Jerusalem. Peter fails to understand this. As Jesus continues to teach them that real power is powerlessness, they keep arguing about who is the greatest or who will have the places on the right and the left of Jesus when he is glorified.

Then comes the story of blind Bartimaeus. This man has no sight, yet he declares that Jesus is the son of David, a refrain that will be echoed in the next few verses as Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly to suffer and die. Furthermore, “Son of David” denotes Jesus’ Messiahship; he is the one whom Israel awaited. Blind Bartimaeus recognizes the Messiah! The seeing disciples still have not figured out who Jesus really is!

Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me” (v 48). In the context of a healing story, the blind man seeks to have his sight restored. Ironically, he already sees better than any of the other characters in the story! He has faith in contrast to the disciples, who are portrayed as not having any faith.

Mark also cleverly brings in the “many” who at first rebuke Bartimaeus for crying out and later urge him to take courage and go to Jesus once Jesus calls him. These “many” represent some of the wishy-washy members of Mark’s community. The author is warning them to consider carefully the meaning of authentic discipleship.

Up to this point, Jesus has usually urged secrecy when it comes to any proclamation of his identity. Now, members of the crowd try to silence the blind man. Jesus permits the title, “Son of David,” to be heard clearly by all. By now, everyone should understand that the title implies not triumph but rejection, suffering, and death.

Once the blind Bartimaeus receives his sight (a rather anti-climactic action, since he already sees better than any other person — except Jesus — in the story), he follows Jesus “on the way” (v 52). He becomes a disciple. He is contrasted to those who have been following Jesus and will shortly scatter.

The journey of Jesus with his disciples to Jerusalem was meant to heal the blindness of the disciples, but they still do not see. Two blind men, however, now see! They were aware of their dependence upon God, who gave them the gift of faith, to which they responded.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.phstorefronts