Mark 10:51-52

Jesus’ question allowed Bartimaeus to articulate his faith and made personal contact with him. "Rabboni" is an emphatic personal form of "rabbi" meaning "my lord and master" (cf. John 20:16). Jesus healed him instantly with a word attributing his healing to his faith. His faith was its means, not its cause. The Greek word translated "made well" or "healed" is sesoken, meaning "saved."

"What was happening in the man’s body was really, we may presume (Mark 10:47-48), but the outward picture of what had happened in his soul." [Note: Morison, p. 301.]

"The second stage in the progressive disclosure of Jesus’ identity [to the reader] centers on his Davidic sonship (Mark 10:46 to Mark 11:11; Mark 12:35-37). . .

"What is noteworthy in this scene is that Bartimaeus, a person of great faith, appeals to Jesus as the Son of David. By granting Bartimaeus his request for sight, Jesus in effect accepts for himself the title Son of David. Moreover, he also shows how he fulfills the end-time expectations associated with David. He does so not by donning the helmet of a warrior king but by using his authority to heal and in this way to save." [Note: Kingsbury, p. 45. Cf. 8:27-30; and 11:12-15:39.]

Bartimaeus responded appropriately and began following Jesus, at least toward Jerusalem if not as a disciple.

This incident sets the stage for the climax of Mark’s story. Jesus had finished His journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. Some people, like Bartimaeus, were believing on and following Jesus. Others, like the religious leaders, did not believe. Conflict in Jerusalem was inevitable.

"Bartimaeus pictured discipleship clearly. He recognized his inability, trusted Jesus as the One to give him God’s gracious mercy, and when he could ’see’ clearly he began to follow Jesus." [Note: Grassmick, p. 155.]