Mark 10:48

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Verses 46-52

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 20:29-34.

Mark 10:46

Blind Bartimeus - Matthew says there were two. Mark mentions but one, though he does not deny that there was another. He mentions this man because he was well known - Bartimeus, the “blind man.”

Mark 10:50

Casting away his garment - That is, his outer garment - the one that was thrown loosely over him. See the notes at Matthew 5:40. He threw it off, full of joy at the prospect of being healed, and that he might run without impediment to Jesus. This may be used to illustrate - though it had no such original reference - the manner in which a sinner should come to Jesus. He should throw away the garments of his own righteousness - he should rise speedily - should run with joy - should have full faith in the power of Jesus, and cast himself entirely upon his mercy.

Was this helpful?

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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, Heb 12:1. 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 honour him, and receive instruction from him. Those who have spiritual eyesight, see that beauty in Christ which will draw them to run after him.

Was this helpful?

SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

48. Charged him. Or, “reproved him.” Probably they were seeking to avert a public incident upon which the Jewish or the Roman authorities might seize as a pretext for arresting Him. See on Matt. 19:1, 3; 20:18.

Hearts of the fathers. The context here and in Mal. 4:5, 6 suggests that figurative language is being used. Gabriel’s message was given in the literary form of Hebrew poetry, in which rhythm of thought is used instead of meter (see Vol. III, pp. 17-28). The “children of Israel” are to be turned to the “Lord their God,” their heavenly Father (Luke 1:16); the “disobedient,” to the “wisdom of the just” (v. 17). The work of John was to turn the hearts of the disobedient children of Israel in his generation to the wisdom of their just Father in heaven by turning their attention to the experiences of their “fathers” (see 1 Cor. 10:11). This was the very work Elijah had accomplished (see 1 Kings 18:36, 37). As spiritual descendants of our father Abraham (Gal. 3:29) we should, like him, in faith turn our hearts to God (Heb. 11:8-13, 39, 40), and ever remember the way by which He has led the “fathers” in ages past (see LS 196).

The declaration of Malachi, here cited by Luke, has also been explained literally as applying to parental responsibility in bringing up children in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). One of the first results of true conversion is the strengthening of family ties. Genuine reform ever does so. The home is certainly included in the work of reform here described as being an important aspect of making “ready a people prepared for the Lord.” See on v. 15.

Hold his peace. Literally, “be silent.”

Wisdom. Gr. phronÃ„â€œsis, “a minding [to do so and so],” “understanding,” “intention.” The “wisdom” of which the angel speaks is of the kind that leads a man to turn from disobedience to obedience, from injustice to justice. This transformation comes about not so much as the result of intellectual knowledge but from a change of mind (see Rom. 12:2) that accompanies a change of heart (see Eze. 11:19; 18:31; 36:26). It is only when a man loves God that he wills to obey God (John 14:15; 15:10). It is when the affections are set “on things above” (Col. 3:2) that true “wisdom” takes possession of the heart and life.

Cried the more. Bartimaeus realized that this might be his only opportunity to obtain healing at the hands of Jesus. His persistence testified to his earnest faith in the power of Jesus.

A people prepared. The people of Noah’s day were not prepared for the Flood (ch. 17:27), nor were the people of Sodom for the destruction that overtook that city. The children of Israel who left Egypt were not prepared to enter the Promised Land (Heb. 3:19). The people of Christ’s day were not prepared to meet Him, and therefore “received him not” (see John 1:11). However, owing largely to the ministry of John the Baptist, there were some who were ready to receive Him. We are likewise counseled to be “ready” (Matt. 24:44), for it is those who are “ready” that will go in with Christ to the marriage (Matt. 25:10). It is the Christian who keeps the hope of our Lord’s return burning brightly in his heart who will be “prepared for the Lord” when He comes (see Heb. 9:28; 2 Peter 3:11, 12; 1 John 3:3).

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
Evangelism, 553

In all the highways of life there are souls to be saved. The blind are groping in darkness. Give them the light, and God will bless you as His laborers.—Letter 60, 1903. Ev 553.1

Plans for the High Classes Will Reach All—Bring your minds up to the greatness of the work. Your narrow plans, your limited ideas, are not to come into your methods of working. There must be reform on this point, and there will be more means brought in to enable the work to be brought up to the high and exalted position it should ever occupy. There will be men who have means who will discern something of the character of the work, although they have not the courage to lift the cross and to bear the reproach that attends unpopular truth. First reach the high classes if possible, but there should be no neglect of the lower classes. Ev 553.2

But it has been the case that the plans and the efforts have been so shaped in many fields that the lower classes only are the ones who can be reached. But methods may be devised to reach the higher classes who need the light of truth as well as the lower classes. These see the truth, but they are, as it were, in the slavery of poverty, and see starvation before them should they accept the truth. Plan to reach the best classes, and you will not fail to reach the lower classes. Letter 14, 1887. Ev 553.3

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (EGW), 1111

9-11. See EGW on Matthew 3:13-17. 5BC 1111.1

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
Sons and Daughters of God, 126

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. Mark 10:51. SD 126.1

It is only when the sinner feels the need of a Saviour, that his heart goes after the One who can help him. When Jesus walked among men, it was the sick that wanted a physician. The poor, the afflicted and distressed, followed after Him, to receive the help and comfort which they could not find elsewhere. Blind Bartimeus is waiting by the wayside; he has waited long to meet Christ. SD 126.2

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, 202

The following is from an article I wrote for the Review, published January 10, 1856: 2SG 202.1

“We have felt the power and blessing of God for a few weeks past. God has been very merciful. He has wrought in a wonderful manner for my husband. We have brought him to our great Physician in the arms of our faith, and like blind Bartimaeus have cried. ‘Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on us;’ and we have been comforted. The healing power of God has been felt. All medicine has been laid aside, and we rely alone upon the arm of our great Physician. We are not yet satisfied. Our faith says, Entire restoration. We have seen the salvation of God, yet we expect to see and feel more. I believe without a doubt that my husband will yet be able to sound the last notes of warning to the world. For weeks past our peace has been like a river. Our souls triumph in God. Gratitude, unspeakable gratitude fills my soul for the tokens of God's love which we have of late felt and seen. We feel like dedicating ourselves anew to God.” 2SG 202.2

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

More Comments

Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Journey to Jerusalem

BibleTools.info

Bible Verse Explanations and Resources

Mark 10:48