Mark 10:47-52 - Your faith has healed you

10:47

Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was in town, he called out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”. This is the first use of the title “Son of David” in Mark, and it effectively means “Messiah”. Jesus was a common name, hence the designation “Jesus of Nazareth”.

10:48-50

Many in the crowd rebuked the man for shouting out. Maybe they wanted to make sure that they could hear what Jesus was saying. Whatever the case, Bartimaeus ignored them and carried on shouting. Jesus heard his cry and told the crowds to bring the man to him. The crowd changed their tune now, and said “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you”. The man cast his cloak aside, jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. There might be significance in his casting his cloak aside. This was vital to his begging, but knowing that he would be healed, he would no longer need it.

10:51,52

“What do you want me to do for you?” “I want to see”. The man had no doubts about what he wanted, and he knew that Jesus could provide it. So Jesus says “Go, your faith has healed you”. In this instance there was no touching, nor even a command to be healed. Jesus says quite clearly that the man’s faith has healed him. Bartimaeus followed Jesus, along with the others, on the road to Jerusalem.