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(29) And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. (30) And behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David. (31) And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace: but they cried out the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David. (32) And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I should do unto you? (33) They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. (34) And Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and straightway they received their sight, and followed him.
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(46) And they come to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the way side.
(47) And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
(48) And many rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
(49) And Jesus stood still, and said, Call ye him. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good cheer: rise, he calleth thee.
(50) And he, casting away his garment, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
(51) And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.
(52) And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And straightway he received his sight, and followed him in the way.
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(35) And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
(36) and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant.
(37) And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
(38) And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
(39) And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
(40) And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
(41) What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
(42) And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath made thee whole.
(43) And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
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While Bartimaeus sits by the roadside wondering, “Why all the commotion?” he is told that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. In addressing Him as “O Lord, Son of David,” his crying out to Him for mercy acknowledges Christ's deity and humanity, as well as signifying his acceptance of His Messiahship as the future King of Israel. “Son of David” was a well-known designation of the expected Prophet (Ezekiel 34:23-24; Matthew 9:27; Luke 1:32), the Promised One at whose coming the eyes of the blind would be opened (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5). The fact that their eyes can now see alludes not only to receiving physical sight, but also—more importantly—to their eyes being opened spiritually, verified by the words “and they followed Him” (Matthew 20:34; Mark 10:52; Luke 18:43). The world ridicules Christians for calling out to God in faith, but this is exactly what the Son of God wants us to do. Many who are spiritually blind to God's truth have a bitter attitude, disliking those whose eyes are opened to Christ, the only path to salvation. Since Bartimaeus was blind, he likely felt a certain tension while straining to ascertain Jesus' reaction to his shout. No doubt, he felt great relief when He responded with compassion. Most people do not realize how far they are from God and the wonderful gifts He offers to those who respond to His call. However, because they will not cast off their self-righteousness, they remain alienated from Him, at enmity with Christ (Romans 10:3). When God calls, we must lay aside every weight and enticing sin (Hebrews 12:1-3).
— Martin G. Collins
To learn more, see:
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing Blind Bartimaeus
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