Lexical Summary Bartimaios: Bartimaeus Original Word: Βαρτιμαῖος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bartimaeus. Of Chaldee origin (diakoneo and kruphe); son of Timoeus (or the unclean); Bar-timoeus, an Israelite -- Bartimaeus. see HEBREW bar see HEBREW tame' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Aramaic origin Definition "son of Timaeus," Bartimaeus, a beggar NASB Translation Bartimaeus (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 924: ΒαρτιμαῖοςΒαρτιμαῖος (Tdf. Βαρτιμαῖος, yet cf. Chandler § 253), Βαρτιμαιου, ὁ (son of Timaeus), Bartimaeus, a certain blind man: Mark 10:46. Topical Lexicon Canonical Context Strong’s Greek 924 designates Βαρτίμαιος, “Bartimaeus,” the blind beggar whom Jesus healed outside Jericho. His name appears only once, in Mark 10:46, positioning him at a crucial hinge in Mark’s Gospel: the final miracle before the Triumphal Entry. Historical Background Jericho lay about eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem, a major crossing point for pilgrims ascending to the Passover. Travelers, merchants, and priests moved through its oasis roads, making it a logical place for a beggar to seek alms. Jewish tradition associated the city with both judgment (Joshua 6) and mercy (the account of Rahab), framing an apt backdrop for a work of Messianic compassion. Literary and Theological Themes 1. Physical and Spiritual Sight Mark strategically juxtaposes Bartimaeus with the disciples’ earlier failure to “see” Jesus’ destiny (Mark 8:31–33; 9:32; 10:35–40). The blind man recognizes what the sighted cannot. His physical healing dramatizes the spiritual insight offered to any who cry out to the Son of David. 2. Public Confession of Jesus as Messiah Bartimaeus repeatedly cries, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47-48). This is Mark’s most explicit public acknowledgment of Jesus’ royal lineage prior to the Passion Week, reinforcing Davidic promises (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1-10). 3. Discipleship Paradigm After receiving sight, Bartimaeus “followed Jesus on the road” (Mark 10:52). The phrase mirrors Jesus’ earlier call, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must take up his cross and follow Me” (Mark 8:34). Bartimaeus models immediate, costly obedience—leaving cloak, posture of begging, and roadside identity. Son of David Christology Mark preserves Bartimaeus’ Messianic address despite the “Messianic secret” motif elsewhere. The shout pierces through opposition—both from the crowd that rebukes him and from the disciples’ lingering misconceptions—foreshadowing the crowd’s Palm Sunday acclamations (“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David,” Mark 11:10). Faith and Divine Initiative Jesus asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51)—the identical wording He used moments earlier with James and John (Mark 10:36). The contrast is stark: the disciples sought status; Bartimaeus seeks mercy. His petition reflects authentic faith that Jesus commends: “Your faith has healed you” (Mark 10:52). Jericho Setting and Redemptive Timeline Jericho serves as the last stop on the ascent to Jerusalem. The miracle thus signals that the One who opens the eyes of the blind (Isaiah 35:5) is now advancing toward His climactic Passover sacrifice. The geographic move from a cursed city to the Holy City symbolizes the shift from spiritual darkness to salvific light. Synoptic Parallels and Unique Markan Emphasis Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43 recount healings of the blind near Jericho; only Mark supplies a personal name, reinforcing historicity and perhaps eyewitness source material (Peter’s testimony). Mark alone singles out one individual and narrates his subsequent discipleship, underscoring personal transformation over anonymous wonder-working. Tradition and Early Church Memory Church fathers suggested that Mark preserved Bartimaeus’ name because he became known within the early Christian community, possibly among Jerusalem believers (compare Acts 4:14, Acts 6:7). Although Scripture is silent on his later life, the preservation of his Aramaic-Greek name hints at an enduring witness to Jesus’ mercy. Practical Ministry Applications • Bold Intercession: Bartimaeus illustrates persevering prayer in the face of social pressure. Forms and Transliterations Βαρτιμαιος Βαρτιμαῖος Βαρτίμαιος βαρύγλωσσον βαρυκάρδιοι εβαρυθύμησε Bartimaios BartímaiosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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