Mark 10 49

Mark 10:49 kjv

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

Mark 10:49 nkjv

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."

Mark 10:49 niv

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."

Mark 10:49 esv

And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you."

Mark 10:49 nlt

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, "Tell him to come here." So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, he's calling you!"

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 49 Meaning

Mark 10:49 records Jesus' compassionate and authoritative response to Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who persistently cried out to Him. Jesus deliberately stops His journey, issues a command for Bartimaeus to be brought to Him, and the crowd, initially discouraging, transforms into messengers of encouragement, inviting Bartimaeus to approach Jesus with hope, signifying a pivotal moment of divine access for the marginalized.

Mark 10 49 Context

Mark 10:49 is part of Jesus' final journey through Jericho towards Jerusalem before His crucifixion. Preceding this event, Jesus has just taught His disciples about servanthood and humility (Mk 10:35-45) and responded to the rich young ruler's inability to forsake wealth (Mk 10:17-31). This miracle is immediately followed by Bartimaeus' healing (Mk 10:50-52), which stands as a vivid demonstration of spiritual insight and faith contrasting the "blindness" of some of the disciples and religious leaders who struggle to grasp the true nature of the Messiah's kingdom. Jericho, a prominent city on a major trade route, served as the last significant stop before Jesus' Passover entry into Jerusalem, making this a highly public and symbolically charged event.

Mark 10 49 Word analysis

• "And Jesus": Kai Iēsous. Connects this action to the ongoing narrative of Jesus' journey. It highlights His immediate personal engagement.

• "stood still": Estas. Greek aorist indicative, denoting a specific, completed action. It implies a deliberate halt in His busy schedule and procession. This demonstrates Jesus' sovereignty over time and mission, pausing the divine agenda to address an individual's need, emphasizing the supreme value He places on people. It's an active decision, not an accidental stop.

• "and commanded": Kai ekeleusen. Greek aorist indicative. This is a strong, authoritative verb, meaning to give a specific order or injunction. It indicates Jesus' power not only to heal but also to orchestrate circumstances and direct others (the crowd) in His divine will. This authority reverses the crowd's previous attempts to silence Bartimaeus.

• "him to be called": Phōnēthēnai auton. Greek aorist passive infinitive. Literally "that he might be called." The calling is facilitated through others, not directly from Jesus in this instant. This highlights that Jesus utilizes those around Him to bring others to His presence. It signifies the community's role in spiritual access, now acting under divine command.

• "And they call": Kai phōnousin. Present indicative active. Refers to the immediate, collective action of the people around Jesus, including perhaps the disciples and others from the crowd. This swift obedience underscores Jesus' compelling authority, transforming a once hostile or indifferent crowd into His active agents.

• "the blind man": Ton tuphlon. This describes his condition, but the verse soon reveals his name (Bartimaeus). It emphasizes the status of the one being called—a marginalized, dependent individual, yet one whose desperate faith caught the attention of Christ.

• "saying unto him": Legontes autō. Explains the content of their message, conveying Jesus' invitation to Bartimaeus.

• "Be of good comfort": Tharsei. Greek imperative, meaning "Take courage," "Cheer up," or "Do not be afraid." It's a common phrase Jesus uses to alleviate fear and inspire hope (e.g., to the paralytic in Mk 2:5, to the woman with a hemorrhage in Mk 5:34). Here, the crowd echoes Jesus' compassionate language, a profound shift from their earlier rebuke.

• "rise": Anasta. Greek imperative. A command to physically get up, but also carries spiritual implications of new beginnings and active response. It demands Bartimaeus to rise from his helpless state and position himself for a divine encounter.

• "he calleth thee": Phōnei se. Greek present indicative active. The core message that Bartimaeus needed to hear. "He calls you" implies an immediate, personal invitation from Jesus Himself. This is the pivotal word, validating Bartimaeus' persistent cries and transforming his hopeless situation into one of opportunity and hope for divine intervention. It signifies Bartimaeus' spiritual vision, recognizing Jesus as Messiah, while many with physical sight remained spiritually blind.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called": This phrase profoundly demonstrates Jesus' intentionality and authority. His halting the journey to address a "nobody" defies social conventions, signaling His compassion and valuing of individuals over crowds or rigid schedules. The command (a royal injunction) reveals His complete authority to redirect events and people.
  • "And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee": This shows a radical transformation in the crowd. Their obedience to Jesus' command makes them His messengers. The encouragement they deliver, "Be of good comfort, rise," stands in stark contrast to their earlier attempts to silence Bartimaeus. The culminating phrase, "he calleth thee," acts as the liberating truth, confirming the worth and faith of the individual seeking Jesus, providing the vital motivation for his immediate, hopeful response.

Mark 10 49 Bonus section

The act of Jesus "standing still" contrasts sharply with His continuous movement towards Jerusalem, underscoring the spiritual significance of His direct encounter with Bartimaeus over His physical trajectory. This temporary cessation of physical progress highlights the infinite value Christ places on an individual soul and demonstrates His priorities—person before purpose, compassion before calendar. The narrative emphasizes Bartimaeus' spiritual perception, allowing him to "see" Jesus' identity despite physical blindness, contrasting with many who had physical sight yet were spiritually blind to Jesus' true nature and mission. This interaction with Bartimaeus precedes the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, signaling that true followership is marked by humble faith and an immediate response to Jesus' call, not by popular acclaim or societal standing.

Mark 10 49 Commentary

Mark 10:49 is a profound demonstration of Christ's character: His sovereignty, compassion, and responsiveness to persistent faith. Jesus, despite His purposeful journey towards Jerusalem and the significant events ahead, willingly stops for one man's cry. This halt is not incidental but an authoritative decision that reorders the entire scene. The prior scolding crowd becomes agents of Christ's invitation, showcasing the transformative power of His authority. "He calleth thee" is the transformative message: it dignifies Bartimaeus, validates his desperate hope, and signals immediate, personal access to the Christ. This act of "calling" Bartimaeus prefigures the broader spiritual calling of all believers to encounter Jesus personally, receive healing, and embark on a journey of discipleship. It illustrates that earnest faith is never ignored by the Lord, and His compassion extends to those marginalized by society.