◄ Mark 10:50 ►
Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus.
Study Bible
Throwing off his cloak,

In the context of the ancient Near East, a cloak was an essential garment, often used for warmth and as a blanket at night. For a beggar like Bartimaeus, it might have been one of his few possessions, possibly used to collect alms. The act of throwing it off signifies a decisive break from his past life and a readiness to embrace change. This action can be seen as a demonstration of faith, similar to the call of the disciples who left their nets to follow Jesus (Mark 1:18). It symbolizes casting aside old ways and hindrances to follow Christ.

Mrk 14:51-52 One young man who had been following Jesus…
1Sa 18:4 And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing…
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud…

Bartimaeus jumped up

Bartimaeus's immediate response to Jesus' call is one of eagerness and urgency. His physical action of jumping up reflects his inner excitement and hope. This mirrors the enthusiasm seen in other biblical figures who respond to God's call with immediacy, such as Zacchaeus who hurried down from the tree to meet Jesus (Luke 19:6). It highlights the transformative power of Jesus' presence and the hope He brings to those who seek Him.

Act 3:8 He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went…
Act 14:10 In a loud voice Paul called out, “Stand up on your feet!”…
Isa 35:6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue…

and came to Jesus.

Bartimaeus's movement towards Jesus is significant, as it represents a step of faith and trust. Despite his blindness, he moves towards the source of his healing. This act of coming to Jesus is a central theme in the Gospels, where individuals are invited to approach Christ for healing, forgiveness, and salvation. It echoes the invitation Jesus extends in Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Bartimaeus's approach to Jesus is a physical manifestation of his faith and desire for transformation.

Luk 18:40-43 Jesus stopped and directed that the man be brought to Him.…
Mat 20:32-34 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do”…
Mat 11:28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Bartimaeus
A blind beggar sitting by the roadside in Jericho. His name means "son of Timaeus," and he is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating faith and determination to reach Jesus.

2. Jesus
The central figure of the Gospel, who is on His way to Jerusalem. In this passage, He responds to Bartimaeus' call for mercy and heals him.

3. Jericho
A city of historical and biblical significance, located near the Jordan River. It serves as the setting for this encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus.

4. The Crowd
The people following Jesus, who initially rebuke Bartimaeus but later witness his healing.

5. The Cloak
Represents Bartimaeus' old life and possibly his only possession. Throwing it aside symbolizes his faith and readiness to embrace a new life through Jesus.
Teaching Points
Faith in Action
Bartimaeus' act of throwing off his cloak demonstrates active faith. True faith often requires us to leave behind what is familiar or comfortable to pursue Christ.

Responding to Jesus' Call
When Jesus calls, our response should be immediate and wholehearted, as seen in Bartimaeus' eagerness to come to Jesus.

Letting Go of the Past
The cloak symbolizes Bartimaeus' old life. In our walk with Christ, we must be willing to let go of past burdens and hindrances to fully embrace the new life He offers.

Persistence in Seeking Jesus
Despite the crowd's initial rebuke, Bartimaeus persists in calling out to Jesus. This teaches us the importance of perseverance in our spiritual journey.

Transformation through Encounter
Bartimaeus' encounter with Jesus leads to physical and spiritual transformation. Our encounters with Christ should lead to visible changes in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Bartimaeus' action of throwing off his cloak teach us about the nature of faith?

2. How can we apply Bartimaeus' persistence in seeking Jesus to our own spiritual lives, especially when facing obstacles?

3. In what ways does letting go of past burdens or hindrances help us in our walk with Christ, as illustrated by Bartimaeus' account?

4. How does the reaction of the crowd in this passage reflect common challenges we might face when pursuing a relationship with Jesus?

5. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure our encounters with Jesus lead to transformation in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 12:1
This verse encourages believers to "throw off everything that hinders" in their spiritual journey, similar to Bartimaeus casting aside his cloak to reach Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14
Paul speaks of forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, paralleling Bartimaeus' action of leaving his cloak and past life behind to follow Jesus.

Luke 18:35-43
This parallel account of Bartimaeus' healing provides additional context and details about his faith and Jesus' response.
Sermons
An Eager ComingAlexander MaclarenMark 10:50
A Gospel Sermon to OutsidersC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 10:46-52
A Great Number of PeopleProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
And When He HeardProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
Arresting ChristProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
Attachment to ChristMark 10:46-52
BartimaeusR. Green Mark 10:46-52
Begging Begins in ChildhoodProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
Blind BartimaeusA.F. Muir Mark 10:46-52
Blind BartimaeusE. Johnson Mark 10:46-52
Blind Bartimaeus: the Publicity of Christ's MiraclesA. Rowland Mark 10:46-52
Blind BartimeusS. Cox, D. D.Mark 10:46-52
Blindness Disqualifies the CriticProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
Blindness RemovedMark 10:46-52
Christ and His Many FollowersJ. Morgan.Mark 10:46-52
Christ and the BlindJ. H. Godwin.Mark 10:46-52
Christ and the True FriendsJ. Morgan.Mark 10:46-52
Christ Revealed to the NeedyJ. B. Brown, B. A.Mark 10:46-52
Christ's Recognition of FaithH. Bonar, D. D.Mark 10:46-52
Every Sinner is a BeggarProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
He Calleth TheeProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
How to Procure Blessing from GodT. T. Lynch.Mark 10:46-52
Light no Remedy for BlindnessProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
Observations on the Narrative of Blind BartimeusA. G. Fuller.Mark 10:46-52
Our Wants Must be ExpressedProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
Pertinacity Successful in the EndC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 10:46-52
Prayer of a Solitary Individual HeardS. Cox, D. D.Mark 10:46-52
Sightless SinnersC. S. Robinson, D. D.Mark 10:46-52
That He Should Hold His PeaceProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
The Blind BeggarC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 10:46-52
The Blind Beggar of JerichoC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 10:46-52
The Blind Man HappyMark 10:46-52
The Cure of Two Blind Men At JerichoJ.J. Given Mark 10:46-52
The Danger of the BlindProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
The Gate of the CityS. Cox, D. D.Mark 10:46-52
The Lord's AnswerMark 10:46-52
This Man Came Out of Cursed JerichoC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 10:46-52
Three Kinds of BlindnessProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
Thy Blind Man a Earners CriesC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 10:46-52
What Wilt ThouA. Thomson.Mark 10:46-52
When May a Man be Called PoorProf. W. J. Hoge.Mark 10:46-52
People
Bartimaeus, David, James, Jesus, John, Peter, Timaeus, Zabdi, Zebedee
Places
Jericho, Jordan River, Judea, Nazareth, Road to Jerusalem
Topics
Aside, Cast, Casting, Cloak, Coat, Flung, Garment, Got, Jumped, Mantle, Outer, Putting, Quickly, Risen, Rose, Sprang, Started, Throwing
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Mark 10:42-52

     2036   Christ, humility

Mark 10:46-52

     1416   miracles, nature of
     5134   blindness, natural

Library
June 21 Morning
Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps.--I Peter 2:21. Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.--Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. Jesus of Nazareth . . . went about doing good.--Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. The meekness and gentleness of Christ.--In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do.--Be …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 19 Evening
Gold tried in the fire.--REV. 3.18. There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.--Now for …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Christ on the Road to the Cross
'And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed they were afraid.' --Mark x. 32. We learn from John's Gospel that the resurrection of Lazarus precipitated the determination of the Jewish authorities to put Christ to death; and that immediately thereafter there was held the council at which, by the advice of Caiaphas, the formal decision was come to. Thereupon our Lord withdrew Himself into the wilderness which stretches south …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Bartimaeus
Blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.'--Mark x. 46. The narrative of this miracle is contained in all the Synoptical Gospels, but the accounts differ in two respects--as to the number of men restored to sight, and as to the scene of the miracle. Matthew tells us that there were two men healed, and agrees with Mark in placing the miracle as Jesus was leaving Jericho. Mark says that there was one, and that the place was outside the gate in departing. Luke, on the other …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

An Eager Coming
'And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.'--Mark x. 50. Mark's vivid picture--long wail of the man, crowd silencing him, but wheeling round when Christ calls him--and the quick energy of the beggar, flinging away his cloak, springing to his feet--and blind as he was, groping his way. I. What we mean by coming to Jesus:--faith, communion, occupation of mind, heart, and will. II. How eagerly we shall come when we are conscious of need. This man wanted his eyesight: do we not want …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Love's Question
'What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?'--Mark x. 51. 'What wilt Thou have me to do!'--Acts ix. 6. Christ asks the first question of a petitioner, and the answer is a prayer for sight. Saul asks the second question of Jesus, and the answer is a command. Different as they are, we may bring them together. The one is the voice of love, desiring to be besought in order that it may bestow; the other is the voice of love, desiring to be commanded in order that it may obey. Love delights in knowing, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Children and Childlike Men
'And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.' --Mark x. 13-15. It was natural that the parents should have wanted Christ's blessing, so …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Almost a Disciple
'And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him. Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life! 18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good! there is none good but one, that is, God. 19. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20. And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Dignity and Service
'And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto Him, saying, Master, we would that Thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36. And He said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37. They said unto Him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory. 38. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of! and he baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with! 39. And they said …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

November the Second Leading to Christ
"Suffer little children to come unto Me." --MARK x. 13-22. "Unto Me!" We must not keep them at any half-way house. We are so prone to be satisfied if only we bring them a little way along the road. If we get them to pray! If we get them to attend the Lord's house! If we get them to be truthful and gentle! All of which is unspeakably good. It is a blessed thing to be in "the ways of Zion"; it is a far more blessed thing to be in the palace with Zion's King and Lord. When we are dealing with little …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Lord Our Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6 -- "The Lord our Righteousness." Whoever is acquainted with the nature of mankind in general, or the propensity of his own heart in particular, must acknowledge, that self- righteousness is the last idol that is rooted out of the heart: being once born under a covenant of works, it is natural for us all to have recourse to a covenant of works, for our everlasting salvation. And we have contracted such devilish pride, by our fall from God, that we would, if not wholly, yet in part at …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

Children Brought to Christ, and not to the Font
The Scripture before us is by several of the champions on the other side exhibited to the people as a rebuke to me. Their reasoning is rather ingenious than forcible: forsooth, because the disciples incurred the displeasure of Jesus Christ by keeping back the little children from coming to Him, therefore Jesus Christ is greatly displeased with me, and with all others like me, for keeping children from the font, and the performance there enacted; and specially displeased with me for exposing the Anglican …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

The Blind Beggar
This morning I shall address myself most particularly to the poor and blind souls here to-day. The poor blind man's faith described in this passage of Scripture, is a fit picture of the faith which I pray God you may be enabled to exert to the saving of your souls. We shall notice the origin of his faith, how his faith perceived its opportunity when Jesus passed by; we shall listen to his faith while it cries and begs; we shall look upon his faith while it leaps in joyous obedience to the divine …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

The Hardness of the Way.
"Children, how hard is it!"--St. Mark x. 24. I suspect there is scarcely a young man rich and thoughtful who is not ready to feel our Lord's treatment of this young man hard. He is apt to ask, "Why should it be difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven?" He is ready to look upon the natural fact as an arbitrary decree, arising, shall I say? from some prejudice in the divine mind, or at least from some objection to the joys of well-being, as regarded from the creatures' side. …
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

The Domestic Relation.
When we speak of home life with its relations and duties we are not digressing from the subject of gospel light. Nowhere does the light of Christianity shine so peaceful and beautiful as in the home. Nowhere is the power of its influence so felt as in the home circle. The public worship of Christians is an inspiring scene, but nothing apparently is so heavenly as the sacred family altar. A father and mother whose hearts are filled with holy love together with happy, obedient children bowing together …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

The Careless Sinner Awakened.
1, 2. It is too supposable a case that this Treatise may come into such hands.--3, 4. Since many, not grossly vicious, fail under that character.--5, 6. A more particular illustration of this case, with an appeal to the reader, whether it be not his own.--7 to 9. Expostulation with such.--10 to 12. More particularly--From acknowledged principles relating to the Nature of Got, his universal presence, agency, and perfection.--13. From a view of personal obligations to him.--14. From the danger Of this …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Value of Life
Whatever our present conceptions of Jesus Christ may be, we ought to approach our study of his teachings with a sense of reverence. With the slenderest human means at his disposal, within a brief span of time, he raised our understanding of God and of human life to new levels forever, and set forces in motion which revolutionized history. Of his teachings we have only fragments, but they have an inexhaustible vitality. In this course we are to examine these as our source material in order to discover, …
Walter Rauschenbusch—The Social Principles of Jesus

Tenth Lesson. What Wilt Thou?'
What wilt thou?' Or, Prayer must be Definite. And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?'--Mark x. 51; Luke xviii. 41. THE blind man had been crying out aloud, and that a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.' The cry had reached the ear of the Lord; He knew what he wanted, and was ready to grant it him. But ere He does it, He asks him: What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?' He wants to hear from his own lips, not only the general petition …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Questions and Answers--Sorrowful Cases--Testimonies from those who have Visited Canada--Stewardship.
Questions and Answers--Sorrowful Cases--Testimonies from those who have visited Canada--Stewardship. The fallowing plain answers to practical questions, are written by those well acquainted with the work:-- I. "Are these children really street Arabs? If not, where do you find so many?" In the early days of the work, before the establishment of School Boards and kindred institutions, a large proportion of the children were actually taken from the streets. Now, the rescue work begins farther back, …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

The Journey to Jerusalem
"And they went in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid."--Mark 10:32. "Jesu, was hat dich getrieben." [38]Laurentius Laurenti. transl., Sarah Findlater, 1855 Jesus! what was that which drew Thee To Jerusalem's ancient gate? Ah! the love that burned so truly, Would not suffer Thee to wait! On Thou journeyedst, thus securing Me a city more enduring! To my spirit now draw nearer, Lord, as to Jerusalem! Let each moment …
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

The Footsteps
"Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of."--Mark x. 39. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Behold, My bride, how fair My mouth, Mine eyes; My heart is glowing fire, My hand is grace-- And see how swift My foot, and follow Me. For thou with Me shalt scorned and martyred be, Betrayed by envy, tempted in the wilds, And seized by hate, and bound by calumny; And they shall bind thine eyes lest thou should'st see, By hiding Mine eternal truth from thee. And they shall scourge …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

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