📖 Biblical Definition
Bartimaeus was the blind beggar by the road outside Jericho who, hearing Jesus pass, cried out Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. The crowd tried to silence him; he cried louder; Jesus stopped, called him, asked what he wanted; he asked for sight; Jesus restored it; he followed Jesus in the way (Mk 10:46-52). Mark's naming him by name (rare in healing stories) suggests he became known in the early church.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Blind beggar of Jericho healed by Jesus on the way to His passion (Mk 10:46-52).
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Three Synoptic accounts: Mt 20:29-34 (two blind men), Mk 10:46-52 (named Bartimaeus), Lk 18:35-43 (healed before Jericho). Mark's naming and detail suggest he became a known follower.
The healing is the last public miracle before Christ's entry into Jerusalem; structurally significant in Mark's narrative. The blind man sees and follows; the crowd, soon to shout Hosanna, will fail to follow.
📖 Key Scripture
Mark 10:47 — "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 10:48 — "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 10:51 — "And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight."
Mark 10:52 — "And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often treats this as a generic healing story; Mark's naming and Bartimaeus' persistent crying out are theologically loaded.
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Bartimaeus calls Jesus Son of David — a messianic title. The blind beggar sees what the sighted crowd does not. His persistent crying despite the crowd's rebuke is a model of insistent prayer.
Mark's ending detail is striking: followed Jesus in the way. The healed beggar joined the procession to Jerusalem — meaning he followed Christ to the cross. Healing is not the end of the story; discipleship is.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Aramaic Bar Timaeus; son of Timaeus.
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Aramaic bar — son of.
Greek Timaios — honored, valuable; possibly preserved by Mark for an early-church listener who knew him.
Usage
"Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me."
"The blind beggar sees what the sighted crowd does not."
"Healing is not the end of the story; discipleship is."