The Inspiring Lessons from the Healing of Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)

A few people ever heard of the blind Bartimaeus mentioned in the Gospels. However, this does not mean that his life is short of any lessons. In this post, let us take a deeper look at Mark 10:46-52 and learn the amazing lessons from the life of Bartimaeus.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 253 million people live with vision impairment: 36 million are blind and 217 million have moderate to severe vision impairment. Think about it for a second, that’s more than twice the population of our country, the Philippines.

That’s why it is not surprising to see that Yahshua or better known as Jesus Christ, when He walked this earth as a human being, healed a lot of blind people. If you look into the Bible, it won’t be long before you read of an account where a blind man was healed by our Savior.

In this blog, I want us to focus on an inspiring story about Jesus miraculously healing a blind man. His name is Bartimaeus. Let us learn the many surprising lessons from his life and how we can apply them today in our Christian walk.

The story is found in Mark 10:46-52. A similar story can be found in Matthew 10:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43. Three of the four Gospel writers included this story in their writings – showing us the significance of the healing of Bartimaeus.

Jesus Christ heals blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)

Before we proceed, let us read the whole story found in Mark 10:46-52. Afterward, let us carefully dissect the story and discover the golden nuggets of lessons from it.

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Now, here’s the detailed reflection of the story.

The name of the blind man

The Healing of the Blind Bartimaeus and the lessons from his life
What can we learn from the story of Bartimaeus? Here’s a post that will help you understand his life (Mark 10:46-52).

We have here the name of the blind man. His name is Bartimaeus, which literally means, the son of Timaeus.

Of the many miraculous healing of Christ, it is rare for the Gospel writers to name the people who were healed. But we can see here that the name of the blind man was mentioned.

While the Gospels didn’t explicitly mention why, but we can assume a few reasons why Bartimaeus’ name was mentioned.

For one, it could be that Timaeus was a prominent figure in Jerusalem and maybe, due to financial difficulties, they became poor. To make things worse, his son was blind and so, he ended up being a beggar.

Another reason is to show the veracity and historicity of Christ’s miracle. To increase the credibility of the story, the blind man’s name was mentioned so anyone who wants to confirm the story can then can simply look for Bartimaeus.

Finally, which I personally believe to be the reason, Bartimaeus’ miraculous healing and conversion were so incredible that it made a great impact on the people who witnessed and heard of it. Bartimaeus could have done a lot to advance the message of Christ after he was healed. His contribution could have been so significant that it compels Mark to write his name.

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The deepest yearning of Bartimaeus’ soul

In verse 46, it tells us that the story happened when Jesus Christ was about to leave Jericho.

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging

During the past few hours or days, Bartimaeus could have already heard that Jesus is in the city. Now that He is about to leave, Bartimaeus knew that this is his only chance to get as close as possible to Christ.

Bartimaeus was a blind man. He was poor and his main source of income comes from begging.

The people around Bartimaeus can certainly give him money. They can give him food. They can give him clothing. However, there is something that these people can’t give to Bartimaeus. That something is of spiritual in nature and it is something that can only be given by Christ Himself.

In the same manner, as Christians today, this world can certainly give something that we all need but at least at the physical level. All of us have a deeper yearning. All of us have this deep spiritual hole in our hearts that can’t be filled by material possession and wealth.

The deepest yearning of our hearts could only be satisfied with Christ. Bartimaeus knew that and he is about to take his first step to get closer to Christ.

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bartimaeus begging
Bartimaeus is a blind beggar who asks Jesus to heal him.

In verse 47, we read:

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When He heard the commotion, he knew that this could be the moment he was waiting for. He feels that there’s something special happening around him.

Instead of asking for alms, he asks, “What’s happening?” He wants to confirm what he felt inside. Finally, Yahshua of Nazareth has passed by.

He has heard a lot of wonderful things about Jesus Christ. He heard about His teachings. He heard about His way of life. And he heard about His ability to give sight to the blind.

All the years of waiting, all the years of not knowing what it feels like to see live colors, all the years of living in darkness will now come to an end if and ONLY IF, he can get Christ’s attention.

Shouldn’t we be like this blind man? The truth of the matter brethren is that we have been all blind – SPIRITUALLY BLIND. This dark world has seen a great light in the appearance of Christ and yet, not all were willing to get their blindness removed.

We are among those people whom God called to be part of that marvelous light. Can you remember the time when you were called when you were filled with so much earnest desire to learn of God’s way and to do His will in your life? This is the same situation where Bartimaeus found Himself.

So, what did He do? He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Now, there’s the proof of his faith. He firmly believes that Jesus is the promised Messiah. He called Him the Son of David, a title that is only reserved for the promised and Anointed One.

What was his intense request? He was asking for mercy.

Like any of us, we need God’s tremendous mercy. We need God’s goodness and kind consideration of our human weaknesses and frailties.

As you can see, the blind man didn’t directly ask for his eyesight to be restored. He asked first for mercy for Christ is filled with mercy and compassion. He appealed first for Christ’s attention by asking for His mercy.

Bartimaeus knew that this is the closest he could get to Christ. By being a blind man, he is powerless on his own. He can’t run toward Jesus. All he can do is shout and cry out as loud as possible to get Jesus’ attention.

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Following Christ involves hardship and difficulties

Now that Bartimaeus decided to call upon Christ, the difficulty has just begun. In verse 48, we read:

Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Now, here’s where he found his first opposition. Don’t expect that it would be easy and smooth sailing if you follow the Messiah. As our Savior mentioned, it is by great tribulation that we will be saved (Matthew 24:13).

It is interesting to note that the opposition came not from the Roman soldiers or unbelieving Gentiles. One of the greatest ironies in life is that the people you expect to help you are the ones who will put you down.

The persecution of Bartimaeus came from the same people who were following Jesus! Of all the places where challenges may come from, it came from the most unexpected source – the followers of Christ.

Sometimes, in our walk with God, the people whom we thought to be our spiritual brothers or sisters will be the reason for us to stumble. Sometimes, it is the church members who will cause you to leave the body of Christ. Sadly, this problem has been a common occurrence across the churches of God in the past and present.

That’s why it is super crucial that we keep our focus to the Head of Church, which is Jesus Christ. We should never let anyone take away our crown. The more persecution we get, the closer we should be with our heavenly Father and Christ, our Redeemer.

Giving up is NEVER an option

Given the current situation, giving up is simply the easiest thing to do. However, giving up will only lead to nothing.

It won’t get you anywhere.

We need to be ready to sacrifice everything, if necessary, to achieve our spiritual goals in life.

We could see that Bartimaeus won’t let his request go unanswered. He didn’t falter. He didn’t let other people silence his request. Here’s a blind, weak, and poor beggar who won’t get denied. He is up against a crowd of healthy and able-bodied men but this didn’t stop him.

He knew this could be his only chance. He was desperate. He didn’t just shout but he cried out. It was a matter of life and death for him.

It was now or never.

If you are stranded on an island, would you shout at the top of your lungs when you see a ship nearby? If you fell in a deep ditch, won’t you cry out with all your might to get the attention of any passerby?

In the same way, Bartimaeus cried out to get the attention of Christ. Even if he only saw a small ray of hope, he won’t let it pass by without doing anything. If in case Christ didn’t hear him at first, Bartimaeus cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

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The sweetest message of hope and joy

Because of the persistence and steadfast faith of Bartimaeus, what happened? Verse 49 tells us:

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

As a result, Christ stood still. Christ, in His great mercy and compassion, commanded Him to come near. Christ could have simply carried on with His busy schedule, but He stopped and took notice of the poor blind man.

Verse 49 continues:

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

Can you imagine how the face of this blind man transformed? I mean, this man was just a moment ago desperate and hopeless. He knows that every passing second means that Christ is getting farther and farther from him. He knows that if Christ continues to go His way, he won’t be able to meet Him ever again.

When he was at his lowest, when he thought that all hope was gone, someone compassionately told him, “be of good cheer.” At that very moment, it seems that the heavenly windows were open and the angels sing for this blind man.

He has every reason to rejoice. Why? Because Jesus is calling him.

This could be the best message that the blind man could ever hear. After many years of living in darkness, now, he is now going to have the chance of being near the Light of the World – Yahshua/Jesus the Messiah!

Now that Bartimaeus knew that the Savior is calling him, what was his response? Verse 50 reads:

And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

He threw aside his garment. He threw anything that he thought would hinder him from fully following Christ. He might have thought that the garment would simply slow him down. Maybe, the garment would let him get entangled and won’t be able to get to Christ.

So, he threw it aside. He badly wants to be with Christ that he, being poor, is willing to even forsake his garment!

This should teach us an incredible lesson. let us also let go of the things that could hinder us from getting into the Kingdom of God.

As Hebrews 12:1 told us, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

In this point, the blind man could easily rationalize to simply ask for Christ to come to him. Why not? He is the one who is blind. It takes more effort to go to Christ than for Christ to approach him. But no, Christ is teaching him a lesson and everyone who is witnessing this amazing moment.

Jesus wants to test the determination of the blind man.

Following Christ takes action. It is not simply about believing or accepting Christ in our hearts. No, but the blind man rose up and recruit all the strength that he has to fully come to Jesus.

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Bartimaeus receives more than just his sight

Here is now the most-awaited conversation between Bartimaeus and Jesus Christ. In verse 51, Christ asked Bartimaeus:

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

Of course, Christ already knew what Bartimaeus need. In the same manner, God already knew what we need before we ask of Him. However, that doesn’t mean that we should stop talking to God.

We must present our request to God and not simply assume that God already knew what we want so we don’t need to pray.

God is more concerned with having a close relationship with us. More than just giving what we need, God wants to intimately know us and we can do this through prayer.

I once heard a prayer from our college professor. His prayer was only composed of eight words.

He would pray, “Dear God, you know what we mean. Amen.”

What an insult to God!

God isn’t a genie. We pray not just to let God know what we want, but we also pray to have a close encounter with our heavenly Father.

Prayer is more than just a way of asking what we need, but it is a way of building a close relationship with God.

Bartimaeus now formally present his request to Christ:

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

He is asking in faith and that faith is very well evident by his great effort to be with Christ.

In verse 52, we now see the reward of Bartimaeus’ great faith and persistence.

Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

In Luke’s account it reads, “And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.”

Bartimaeus received his sight not a few hours after or a few days. Mark wrote that the healing occurred IMMEDIATELY. As a result, he can now enjoy seeing vivid and lively colors around him. He can now appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.

However, on that day, Bartimaeus didn’t just receive his sight.

He receives a more important gift that is given to man – God’s calling. Above all else, the calling of God gives Bartimaeus a unique chance to be part of God’s coming Kingdom.

The healing of Bartimaeus made a life-changing impact on his life. He was given the chance to pay forward the tremendous blessings he received from Jesus. Though he can’t fully repay Christ for the mercy and miraculous healing of his eyes, he served in any way he can and became a follower of our Savior.

Notice how a great miracle is not only a joy to the one who is healed. The people who witnessed the healing of Bartimaeus also praised and glorified God. This shows us how Christ always points people back to His Father and brings glory to His name.

What did you learn from the story?

There you have it, my dear readers – the story and lessons we can learn from the life of Bartimaeus. Yes, he was blind, but now he can see. The gift of life and sight he received from Christ are now instruments for bringing more people to God.

How about you? What did you learn from the story of Bartimaeus? I would love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment below. 🙂


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34 thoughts on “The Inspiring Lessons from the Healing of Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)

  1. I am blessed with those who called Bartimaeus , saying arise, be of good cheer He is calling you.
    God wants to pass His call to others, to receive the blessings we have.

  2. Don’t be silenced by people who doesn’t know your story. You’re the one who know the problems ,challenges and situation. Tell it to Jesus in prayer

  3. Am challenged on how Bartimeaus threw his garment down only to be where Jesus Christ was waiting for him,his persistence is also speaks much in christans life.The desire of this man to receive from Christ is powerful and a strong tool .

    • Yes, the throwing off of his garment is very significant. In those days clothes were a status symbol. throwing off of the outer garment, ment he threw off his beggars garment. He threw off by faith what was keeping him in bondage. By stepping out in faith, he not only received his sight, but also total freedom from bondage. NO more begging for him. He became a walking testimony to the crowd

  4. Indeed Bartimaeus’ story has great insights especially where people ( christians ) you think might be for you react differently. Let us be each brother’s keeper.

  5. I love the persistent calling of this man,his focus was only Jesus who can solve his problem.Dont listen to other noisy voices press on shouting, presenting your needs to JESUS!

  6. Vernon K. Robbins emphasizes that the healing of Bartimaeus is the last of Jesus’ healings in Mark, and links Jesus’ earlier teaching about the suffering and death of the Son of Man with his Son of David activity in Jerusalem.

  7. I was in prayer when as in trance l heard a voice saying Bartimaeus was blind but was healed of even spiritual blindness!l woke up and started reading about Bart !yours was clear and touched my life am believing God for my healing.

  8. Today’s reality is that we are all blind in our minds & mind blindness is worse than sight blindness. We should all cry out desperately & repeat same words Bartimaeus – that I may receive my (mind) sight ,to behold the wondrous things of thy lawsa (Psalm 119:18)

  9. I am pastor destiny, its good to rely on God for an answer despite your situation and call on God as bart did.

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