Bible Study Lesson:

Mark 10: 46-52

• Jericho: ‘Fragrant’, 15 miles from Jerusalem.
• Jesus was going to Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover
• Bartimaeus, this is the only place where name of person who is healed by Jesus is mentioned!
• Double meaning of Bartimaeus: Greek – Honorable man, Hebrew Heir or son of unclean, spiritual blindness.
• Popular theology among Jews was, blindness is punishment from God for sin, see (John 9:34) Blind man with Pharisees. (Check out, Jesus heals the disabled man at Pool of Bethesda)
• His name possibly can mean son of blind man.

Q. What do you think about Bartimaeus?

• Poor, beggar, one of many beggars on the road to Jerusalem, did not own much, his only possession could be his garment
• Dejected, downcast, desperate, and yet bold, persistent, hopeful, sincere in his request

Q. What was his response when he heard about Jesus? What did he know about Jesus?

• He began to call onto Jesus, shout a loud. He was persistent.
• He must have heard about Jesus, his miracles, healing, his claims, teachings
• He must have believed that Jesus can heal him

Q. What does title ‘Son of David’ mean to Jews?

• Promised Messiah, One who is to come from the lineage of King David
• See John 7:42, Mat 21:9, Isa 35:5

Q. What was crowd’s response?

• Twofold, first they rebuked him, and then encouraged him!

Q. What did he do when Jesus called him?

• He threw his coat, his garment, his only possession, which may come on his way to reaching to Jesus
• Old garment of self-pity or self righteousness, old self
• He was ready to get rid of anything that comes on his way

Q. Why did Jesus ask him question?

• Very unique feature of Jesus’ ministry
• It is to confirm his faith, public proclamation of his trust in Jesus (Jesus asking, do you really believe that I can heal you)
• “What do you want Jesus to do in your life?”

Q. What can we learn from Bartimaeus?

• His faith – Jesus can heal him
• He showed his faith by actions
• He was persistent in his call to Jesus
• He followed Jesus thereafter.

Application:

• We all need healing; it can be physical or spiritual. Jesus can heal us, but we need to come to him, put our trust in him.

“To see beyond the present is Wisdom, but to see beyond possible is Faith.”

More Bible Study Lessons:

• Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda | John 5:1-15
• Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12
• Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study
• John the Baptist in the Wilderness – Matthew 3:1-12
• Jesus Heals the Leper – Mark 1:40-45 | Bible Study