BURKITT : | Mr 10V1-12 | Mr 10V13-16 | Mr 10:17 | Mr 10:18 | Mr 10:19 | Mr 10:20 | Mr 10:21-22 | Mr 10:23-27 | Mr 10:28-31 | Mr 10:32-34 | Mr 10:35-41 | Mr 10:42-45 | Mr 10v46-52 | KJV
Reference
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 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. 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. 49 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. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 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. 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. (Mark 10:46-52 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
This chapter concludes with the recital of a famous miracle wrought by our blessed Saviour upon blind Bartimeus, in the sight of a great multitude that followed him.
Where note, 1. The blind man’s faith, in acknowledging Jesus to be the Messiah; for so much the title of the son of David signified.
2. His fervency, in crying so earnestly to Christ for mercy and healing: Have mercy upon me, thou son of David. A true sense of want will make the soul cry unto Christ with earnestness and importunity.
Observe, 3. The great compassion and condescension of Christ towards this poor blind man: he stood still, he called him, and enlightened his eyes. A mighty instance of Christ’s divine power! He that can open blind eyes with a touch of his finger, and that by his own power, is really God: his touch is an omnipotent touch.
Observe, 4. Although Christ well knew the condition of this blind man, yet, before he will restore his sight, he must sensibly complain of the want of sight, and cry unto him for help and healing. Christ knows all his creatures’ wants but takes no notice of them till they make them known to him by prayer.
Observe, 5. The way and course which the blind man takes to express his thankfulness to Christ for recovered sight: He rose, and followed Jesus. Mercy from Christ is then well improved when it engages us to follow Christ. This should be the effect of all salvations wrought for us. He praiseth God best that serveth him most: the life of thankfulness consists in the thankfulness of the life.