Mark 10 47

Mark 10:47 kjv

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Mark 10:47 nkjv

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!"

Mark 10:47 niv

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mark 10:47 esv

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!"

Mark 10:47 nlt

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 47 Meaning

Mark 10:47 depicts a pivotal moment where a blind man, Bartimaeus, upon hearing that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, immediately and publicly cries out to Him, addressing Him with the significant messianic title, "Son of David," and pleading for mercy. This verse highlights Bartimaeus's extraordinary faith and spiritual insight, recognizing Jesus' true identity despite his physical blindness, contrasting sharply with the limited understanding of Jesus' own disciples at that time. His desperate call for mercy signifies his recognition of Jesus' power to heal and compassion.

Mark 10 47 Context

Mark chapter 10 recounts Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem, where He will face His crucifixion and resurrection. This journey includes several key teachings and encounters, such as Jesus' teaching on divorce, the disciples' efforts to prevent children from approaching Jesus, the encounter with the rich young ruler, and Jesus' third explicit prophecy of His passion and resurrection. Immediately prior to this verse, James and John make an ambitious request for positions of glory in Jesus' kingdom, displaying their lack of understanding about the nature of His kingdom and His impending suffering. In contrast, Bartimaeus's spontaneous and insightful cry comes as Jesus is departing Jericho. This positioning highlights a profound spiritual contrast: while the privileged disciples struggle with earthly ambition and blindness to spiritual realities, a physically blind beggar readily perceives and acknowledges Jesus' true messianic identity and appeals for His divine mercy. This narrative serves as a powerful illustration of who truly understands and approaches Jesus in faith.

Mark 10 47 Word analysis

• And (Greek: `kai`): Connects this event to the preceding narrative, implying continuity in Jesus' journey and interactions.
• when he heard (Greek: `akousas`): Signifies Bartimaeus's active attentiveness and responsiveness. Despite his blindness, his hearing was acute, allowing him to perceive Jesus' presence amidst the crowd. This immediate response highlights spiritual alertness.
• that it was Jesus (Greek: `hoti Iēsous`): Implies a recognition based on information about His identity and His known activity as a healer. The specific identification suggests knowledge beyond a mere name.
• of Nazareth (Greek: `ho Nazōrinos`): This descriptor likely referred to Jesus' origin or residence. For some, it might have been a dismissive term (Jn 1:46), but here, Bartimaeus uses it as part of his specific identification. It marks Him as the particular Jesus about whom prophecies and stories circulated.
• he began to cry out (Greek: `ērxato krazein`): Indicates an immediate, strong, and public vocal outburst. "To cry out" (`krazein`) suggests a loud, persistent shout, often indicative of distress or urgency. It was a bold act for a beggar to interrupt a moving procession.
• and say (Greek: `legein`): Follows "cry out," specifying the content of his shout. This isn't just noise but a direct, articulate address.
• Jesus (Greek: `Iēsou`): A direct, personal address to Jesus, implying a familiarity and immediate target for his appeal.
• Son of David (Greek: `huios Dauid`): This is theologically the most significant phrase. It is a profoundly messianic title, recognizing Jesus as the long-awaited King from David's lineage (2 Sam 7:12-16, Ps 89:3-4, Isa 9:6-7). By using this term, Bartimaeus publicly confesses Jesus' identity as the Christ, which the disciples themselves struggled to fully grasp (Mk 8:29-33). This title carried powerful expectations of deliverance and a new kingdom. For a blind beggar to proclaim this truth speaks volumes about his spiritual insight.
• have mercy on me (Greek: `eleēson me`): A plea for divine compassion and intervention. This phrase (`eleēson`) is common in Jewish liturgy and denotes a fervent appeal for God's merciful grace, particularly for one in a helpless state. It expresses both need and belief in Jesus' power and willingness to act compassionately. It is a humble request for healing, recognizing that healing is a gift of grace, not a right.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth": This phrase highlights the sensory input (hearing) leading to an act of faith. Bartimaeus acted on credible information about Jesus' presence, demonstrating a readiness to respond. His lack of physical sight did not impede his spiritual recognition of who Jesus was.
• "he began to cry out and say": This emphasizes the urgency and vocal nature of Bartimaeus's appeal. He did not hesitate, nor was he discreet. His need drove him to public, desperate entreaty, overcoming any societal expectations for a beggar.
• "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me": This constitutes the core of his spiritual declaration. It’s a remarkable theological confession that unites Jesus' common human name with His exalted messianic title, immediately followed by a direct appeal for compassion. This combination demonstrates Bartimaeus’s deep understanding: Jesus is not just a healer but the prophesied deliverer, the King who exercises divine mercy and power. The call for mercy here implies a recognition of his profound need and Jesus' ultimate authority and compassion to meet that need.

Mark 10 47 Bonus section

The name "Bartimaeus" is unique in the synoptic gospels for being the only person healed of blindness specifically named by Mark (Luke also names him, while Matthew mentions two unnamed blind men). "Bar-Timaeus" means "son of Timaeus" in Aramaic. The inclusion of his name gives personal specificity and historical authenticity to the account, elevating his story from a mere illustration to a documented encounter. His sitting by the "roadside" was typical for beggars, but it also placed him strategically where people of importance would pass, ready for an opportunity. The irony of a blind man seeing and calling out the Messiah's true identity, while those with physical sight and close proximity to Jesus were often spiritually blind (e.g., the disciples and religious leaders), is a significant Markan theme that recurs throughout his Gospel.

Mark 10 47 Commentary

Mark 10:47 offers a profound illustration of true faith and spiritual perception, starkly contrasting with the superficial understanding and worldly ambitions of Jesus' closest followers. Bartimaeus, a man physically blind and socially marginalized, "sees" Jesus more clearly than the seeing disciples. His cry of "Son of David" is not merely a polite greeting but a bold, public declaration of Jesus' messianic identity, a truth many struggled to accept. This recognition of Jesus' royal heritage, combined with the desperate plea for "mercy," encapsulates genuine faith: acknowledging Jesus' divine authority and submitting to His sovereign grace for help. Bartimaeus's immediate and persistent action demonstrates a deep urgency born of genuine need and an unshakeable belief in Jesus' power and compassion, embodying the Kingdom principle that the last shall be first.

Examples:

• Like Bartimaeus, we are called to identify Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the promised Messiah and King, the "Son of David" who holds ultimate authority.
• Our prayers should be persistent, fervent, and humble, expressing our profound need and relying entirely on Jesus' mercy and power.
• True spiritual sight often resides where it is least expected, revealing God's work in the lives of the humble and outcast.