Who is bartimaeus the blind man

Some commentators believe that when blind Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, it was a show of faith. He believed Jesus would heal him and because he would no longer be blind, there would be no need to have that particular tool of the trade.

Another possible reason Bartimaeus may have flung off his cloak was because he wanted to be free of any impediment on his way to Jesus. Cloaks were long. And if this cloak was draped across his body as we surmise, it was an accident waiting to happen. Being blind, Bartimaeus would have found it difficult to navigate through the crowds while being hampered by his heavy cloak. I have always loved how enthusiastically Bartimaeus called to Jesus.

He heard that Christ was nearby and he knew he had one chance to be healed. He had one resource and that was his voice. But people tried to silence him. Some Bible translations say people rebuked him.

The Oxford Dictionary defines rebuke this way: to express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behaviour or actions. I can only imagine that along with the external voice, there was a little voice inside telling him to be quiet because Jesus had more important things to do. God is a relational God. He wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him. When blind Bartimaeus called out to Jesus, He stopped. The Savior of the world, awaited Messiah, teacher of the twelve tribes of Israelite stopped.

Then he waited. He waited for someone to tell Bartimaeus that he had been called. He waited for the blind man to make his way to Him. Yet God Immanuel stopped and waited for the blind man to make his way to Him. Like blind Bartimaeus, we need to focus on God and Him only. We have a race to run and we can only do that when we pay attention to the path set before us and not allow ourselves to get distracted by what other people say to or about us.

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The main incident is clear enough, and on purely historical grounds, the miracle cannot be denied. The discrepancies themselves are evidence of the wide currency of the story before our Gospels assumed their present form. It is only a most mechanical theory of inspiration that would demand their harmonization. Bartimeus had heard of Jesus and his miracles, and learning that he was passing by, hoped to recover his eyesight.

In coming to Christ for help and healing, we should look to him as the promised Messiah. The gracious calls Christ gives us to come to him, encourage our hope, that if we come to him we shall have what we come for. Those who would come to Jesus must cast away the garment of their own sufficiency, must free themselves from every weight, and the sin that, like long garments, most easily besets them, Hebrews He begged that his eyes might be opened.

It is very desirable to be able to earn our bread; and where God has given men limbs and senses, it is a shame, by foolishness and slothfulness, to make themselves, in effect, blind and lame. His eyes were opened. Thy faith has made thee whole: faith in Christ as the Son of David, and in his pity and power; not thy repeated words, but thy faith; Christ setting thy faith to work.

Let sinners be exhorted to imitate blind Bartimeus. Where the gospel is preached, or the written words of truth circulated, Jesus is passing by, and this is the opportunity. It is not enough to come to Christ for spiritual healing, but, when we are healed, we must continue to follow him; that we may honor him, and receive instruction from him. Those who have spiritual eyesight, see that beauty in Christ which will draw them to run after him.

Read the full Bible story of Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus below and find articles, videos, and audio sermons on this remarkable story of faith and healing. Shoebox Collection Week is Here! Plus Toggle navigation.

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