Mark 10 46

Mark 10:46 kjv

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 10:46 nkjv

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.

Mark 10:46 niv

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means "son of Timaeus"), was sitting by the roadside begging.

Mark 10:46 esv

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.

Mark 10:46 nlt

Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road.

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 46 Meaning

Mark 10:46 marks a pivotal point in Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem and the crucifixion. It introduces a blind man named Bartimaeus in Jericho, emphasizing his vulnerable state as a roadside beggar. This verse sets the scene for one of Jesus' most significant public healings before His final entry into Jerusalem, highlighting Jesus' fame, the large crowd following Him, and the direct encounter with a man in dire need. The naming of Bartimaeus is significant, giving individuality to a figure often nameless in other similar accounts and foreshadowing his role as a model of faith and discipleship.

Mark 10 46 Context

Mark 10:46 directly follows Jesus' third prediction of His passion and the discourse on true greatness, prompted by James and John's ambitious request for positions of honor. Jesus explains that true leadership is about serving, not dominating. The move to Jericho is a significant step on Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, a journey saturated with eschatological and redemptive importance. Jericho was an ancient, strategically important, and wealthy city in the Jordan valley, about 15 miles northeast of Jerusalem. It served as a natural stopping point for pilgrims heading to Jerusalem for Passover. The scene here sets up the penultimate miracle before the Passover in Jerusalem, shifting the focus from the misunderstanding disciples to a figure of simple, profound faith.

Mark 10 46 Word analysis

• Then they came to Jericho.

  • Then (καὶ, kai): Connective, implying sequence from previous events. It directly follows the journey detailed from Galilee through Judea (Mk 10:1).
  • they came (ἔρχονται, erchontai): Present tense in Greek (historical present), used for vivid narration, making the event immediate and dramatic. Refers to Jesus, His disciples, and likely the growing crowd following Him.
  • Jericho (Ἱεριχὼ, Hierichō): A significant city, known for its strategic location, agriculture (date palms), and its place in Old Testament history (Joshua and the fall of the walls). It was a prominent city in Jesus' time, specifically the Herodian Jericho which was about 1 mile south of the old city. This indicates the final leg of the journey to Jerusalem.

• As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city,

  • As Jesus and his disciples... were leaving (ἐκπορευομένου αὐτοῦ... ἀπὸ, ekporeuomenou autou... apo): Emphasizes a dynamic movement away from the city. Mark explicitly states they were leaving Jericho, which contrasts with Matthew (20:29) and Luke (18:35) who suggest entering or approaching it. This difference is not a contradiction but points to potentially different incidents or the evangelists' focus on their theological narrative rather than strict chronological precision. For Mark, it marks the completion of the stop in Jericho and progression toward Jerusalem.
  • together with a large crowd (καὶ ὄχλου ἱκανοῦ, kai ochlou hikanou): Highlights Jesus' popularity and the public nature of His ministry. The large crowd suggests a significant following and witnesses to the miracle about to unfold. It sets the stage for a highly visible miracle.

• a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “Son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.

  • a blind man (τυφλὸς, tuphlos): Immediately identifies his severe disability and societal marginalization. Blindness in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for spiritual ignorance or inability to perceive divine truth (Mk 8:18). His physical state points to a desperate need for intervention.
  • Bartimaeus (Βαρτιμαῖος, Bartimaios): Uniquely named in Mark and Luke. His naming makes him an identifiable individual, giving his story weight and perhaps indicating he was a known figure in the early Christian community or his story was well-circulated. Mark often names specific individuals involved in miracles, which may reflect the eyewitness accounts Mark based his Gospel on (e.g., Peter).
  • which means “Son of Timaeus” (ὁ υἱὸς Τιμαίου, ho huios Timaiou): Mark, writing likely for a Gentile audience, provides the interpretation of the Aramaic name "Bar-Timaeus," a common explanatory practice in his Gospel (e.g., Boanerges). "Timaeus" could mean "highly honored" or "pure" or even "unclean." Regardless of the etymology of Timaeus, the emphasis is on "Bar" (son of), identifying him as Timaeus's offspring.
  • was sitting (ἐκάθητο, ekathēto): Imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous state or customary action. He wasn't just there momentarily, but had his spot, reinforcing his common practice.
  • by the roadside (παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, para tēn hodon): The customary place for beggars, where travelers (and potential alms-givers) would pass. It speaks of his dependency and reliance on others.
  • begging (προσαίτης, prosaitēs): His occupation, enforced by his blindness. It underscores his utter destitution and vulnerability, relying on charity for survival.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus... were leaving the city": The seemingly contradictory travel detail ("came to Jericho" then "leaving the city") might signify that the arrival at Jericho, perhaps after a brief stop, is followed by Jesus and His company immediately departing for the ascent to Jerusalem. Mark’s focus is on the event that happened as they were leaving, not a long stay within the city itself.
  • "a blind man, Bartimaeus... was sitting by the roadside begging": This descriptive phrase paints a vivid picture of the man's societal standing and dire circumstances. His physical blindness, identified name, and status as a roadside beggar highlight his absolute dependence and desperation, contrasting sharply with the independent, self-sufficient perception of the disciples. It also positions him perfectly for a public encounter with Jesus.

Mark 10 46 Bonus section

Mark’s inclusion of Bartimaeus’s specific name, when parallel accounts (like Luke’s, though not Matthew's which mentions two blind men) sometimes do not, signifies his importance for Mark's theological message. Bartimaeus is presented as an exemplar of true discipleship and faith. His physical journey from the roadside into Jerusalem with Jesus (implied in the next verses, as he follows Jesus) visually parallels the spiritual journey from spiritual blindness (like the disciples) to understanding and following Jesus wholeheartedly. Jericho was a place of considerable wealth; the contrast between this blind beggar and the city's affluence emphasizes his plight. This also aligns with the theme of Jesus seeking out and ministering to the marginalized, contrary to the societal norms of the day which often viewed the disabled as cursed. This miracle is strategically placed right before Jesus' triumphal entry, serving as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' messianic power to grant sight, both physically and spiritually, preparing the stage for the true Messiah to enter the capital.

Mark 10 46 Commentary

Mark 10:46 serves as a powerful preamble to Bartimaeus's dramatic encounter with Jesus, deliberately contrasting with the preceding discourse on the disciples' spiritual blindness and ambition. The setting, Jericho, a crucial gateway to Jerusalem, underscores the climactic nature of this final journey. By identifying the blind beggar by name—Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus—Mark elevates this figure from a mere statistic to an individual whose story holds significant theological weight. His position "by the roadside begging" immediately conveys his marginalization and utter dependence, making his later act of courageous faith all the more striking. This verse implicitly sets up the "sight" theme, preparing the audience for a physical miracle that will parallel and challenge the spiritual lack of perception displayed by Jesus' own followers. It presents a simple, desperate human need placed squarely in the path of the divine healer, hinting at the profound contrast between those who have much but see little, and one who has nothing but longs for true sight.

• Example 1: A struggling individual, feeling marginalized and unseen (like Bartimaeus), can find hope that their unique needs are known to Jesus and are opportunities for His transformative work.
• Example 2: In times of desperation, when circumstances force one to a "roadside," waiting on God is not passive but an act of positioning oneself for divine intervention.