Mark 10 48

Mark 10:48 kjv

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Mark 10:48 nkjv

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

Mark 10:48 niv

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mark 10:48 esv

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mark 10:48 nlt

"Be quiet!" many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 48 Meaning

Mark 10:48 profoundly illustrates the nature of genuine faith in the face of opposition. It depicts a blind man, Bartimaeus, persistently crying out to Jesus for mercy, even as many in the crowd sternly rebuke him to be silent. His relentless call, identifying Jesus as the "Son of David," signifies a profound spiritual perception of Jesus' messianic identity and a desperate, unwavering plea for divine compassion despite human barriers. The verse encapsulates a determined seeker's conviction overriding the surrounding world's disapproval.

Mark 10 48 Context

Mark chapter 10 records Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem, a pivotal period leading to His crucifixion. Before the encounter with Bartimaeus, Jesus teaches about divorce (vv. 1-12), welcomes children (vv. 13-16), interacts with the rich young ruler (vv. 17-31), and explicitly foretells His suffering, death, and resurrection for the third time (vv. 32-34). He also corrects His disciples' ambitious desires for earthly power by emphasizing servant leadership (vv. 35-45), declaring that "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (v. 45). The healing of Bartimaeus immediately precedes Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where He is hailed by crowds with the same messianic title, "Son of David." This positions Bartimaeus' cry not merely as a request for healing but as a prophetic acknowledgment of Jesus' true identity as the King and Suffering Servant, demonstrating deep faith from one society deemed insignificant.

Mark 10 48 Word analysis

• Πολλοὶ (polloi) - Many: Denotes a significant portion of the crowd, emphasizing the collective pressure and societal expectation placed upon Bartimaeus.
• δὲ (de) - but/and: A strong conjunction highlighting the contrast between the crowd's action and Bartimaeus' reaction.
• ἐπετίμων (epetimōn) - warned him sternly/rebuked: This is a powerful verb (imperfect tense, implying continuous or repeated action) meaning to sternly admonish, censure, or silence. It's often used for Jesus rebuking demons (e.g., Mk 1:25) or disciples (e.g., Mk 8:32), indicating their efforts were an attempt to assert authority or control over Bartimaeus.
• αὐτῷ (autō) - him: Refers specifically to Bartimaeus, individualizing the recipient of the crowd's rebuke.
• ἵνα σιωπήσῃ (hina siōpēsē) - in order that he might be quiet/silent: A purpose clause indicating the crowd's clear intention to stop Bartimaeus from speaking, likely due to discomfort, social prejudice, or a desire for orderly behavior. "Siōpēsē" (to be silent) implies a cessation of sound.
• ὁ δὲ (ho de) - but he: Establishes a sharp contrast, shifting focus to Bartimaeus' defiant and faithful response.
• πολλῷ μᾶλλον (pollō mallon) - much more/all the more: An intensifier indicating Bartimaeus did not merely continue his plea, but increased its volume and fervor. This highlights his desperation, determination, and growing faith.
• ἔκραζεν (ekrazen) - shouted/cried out: Imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous, loud, and insistent cry. The verb (from krazō) conveys a vehement, often piercing sound, reflecting Bartimaeus' extreme earnestness and spiritual urgency.
• Υἱὲ Δαυίδ (Huiē Dauid) - Son of David: A highly significant messianic title. "Huiē" (son), "Dauid" (David). This phrase identifies Jesus not merely as a good teacher or healer, but as the promised Messiah, the rightful heir to King David's throne (2 Sam 7:12-16; Isa 9:7; Jer 23:5-6). It demonstrates Bartimaeus' deep spiritual understanding despite his physical blindness, contrasting sharply with the spiritual blindness of the crowd.
• ἐλέησόν με (eleēson me) - have mercy on me: An imperative plea for compassion and divine intervention. "Eleēson" (show pity, have mercy) is a cry from utter dependence on Jesus' power and benevolence. It's a confession of his helplessness and absolute trust in Jesus as his only hope for salvation and healing.

Word Groups/Phrases Analysis:

• "Many warned him sternly to be quiet": This phrase encapsulates the world's typical response to the perceived "disorder" of a person passionately seeking Christ. It signifies the obstacles, societal expectations, and human opposition that believers may face when demonstrating their faith openly.
• "he shouted all the more": This demonstrates unwavering, tenacious faith. It illustrates spiritual persistence and determination to reach Christ, refusing to be silenced by discouragement, rebuke, or social pressure. Bartimaeus' escalating intensity reveals the depth of his conviction.
• "Son of David, have mercy on me!": This combined utterance is a profound expression of faith. It marries a profound theological recognition of Jesus' divine messianic identity ("Son of David") with a desperate and humble plea for deliverance ("have mercy on me"). It reflects a spiritual sight that transcends physical vision, identifying Jesus as the one capable of ultimate salvation and healing.

Mark 10 48 Bonus section

• Irony of Perception: Bartimaeus, though physically blind, possesses far greater spiritual insight than the sighted crowd or even some of the disciples. He perceives Jesus' true identity as Messiah ("Son of David"), which many others struggle with.
• Name Significance: The naming of Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) distinguishes him from an anonymous beggar, adding a personal and significant touch to his story, highlighting that every individual seeker is known and valued by God.
• Model for Discipleship: Bartimaeus' relentless persistence against opposition, his deep recognition of Jesus' identity, and his desperate plea for mercy serve as a potent model for how disciples should approach Christ—with boldness, humility, and unwavering faith.
• Connection to Triumphal Entry: The recognition of "Son of David" by a marginalized figure here serves as a powerful precursor to the very similar cries ("Hosanna to the Son of David") Jesus will receive just a short distance away in Jerusalem (Matt 21:9), where He is welcomed as king, albeit for differing human expectations.
• Voice that Pierces Noise: This verse underscores that a genuine cry of faith, however loud or disruptive it may seem to human ears, cuts through all the worldly clamor and judgmentalism directly to the heart of Jesus.

Mark 10 48 Commentary

Mark 10:48 provides a compelling portrayal of radical faith and Christ's boundless compassion. The scene contrasts the shortsightedness and discomfort of the many ("polloi") with the profound spiritual perception and unyielding determination of one marginalized individual, Bartimaeus. The crowd, perhaps desiring reverence or decorum, attempted to silence Bartimaeus with stern rebukes, signifying common human tendencies to stifle public displays of earnest need or spiritual fervor. However, Bartimaeus’s faith transcended these earthly limitations. His act of "shouting all the more" was not mere impudence but a desperate, Spirit-prompted tenacity. His immediate and correct address of Jesus as "Son of David" was a declaration of Christ's kingly, messianic authority, something many "sighted" people in Jesus’ day struggled to grasp. This specific plea for mercy highlighted his recognition of Jesus’ power not just for physical healing but for complete redemption. This powerful episode teaches believers to pursue Christ relentlessly, undeterred by external opposition or perceived unworthiness, confident that a fervent cry from a truly seeking heart will always penetrate any crowd and reach the ears of the compassionate Savior. It reminds us that often, those the world overlooks are the very ones who truly "see" and approach Christ with authentic faith.