Mark 10:46
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔρχονται
they came
G2064
ἔρχονται
they came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 26
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπὸ
out of
G575
ἀπὸ
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
8 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὄχλου
number of people
G3793
ὄχλου
number of people
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
15 of 26
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἱκανοῦ
a great
G2425
ἱκανοῦ
a great
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
16 of 26
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
υἱὸς
the son
G5207
υἱὸς
the son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
17 of 26
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Βαρτιμαῖος
Bartimaeus
G924
Βαρτιμαῖος
Bartimaeus
Strong's:
G924
Word #:
19 of 26
son of timaeus (or the unclean); bar-timaeus, an israelite
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τυφλὸς
blind
G5185
τυφλὸς
blind
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
21 of 26
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
ἐκάθητο
sat
G2521
ἐκάθητο
sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
22 of 26
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
παρὰ
by
G3844
παρὰ
by
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
23 of 26
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jericho was a prosperous oasis city 17 miles northeast of Jerusalem, approximately 825 feet below sea level—the lowest city on earth. As the gateway to Judea from the east, Jericho served as a major checkpoint for pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for festivals. The road from Jericho to Jerusalem featured in Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). Beggars positioned themselves at city gates and main roads, especially during festival seasons when pilgrims would give alms as acts of piety. Blindness was common in the ancient world due to disease, injury, and lack of medical treatment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Bartimaeus sitting 'by the highway' symbolize those who are near the kingdom but not yet in it, observing religious activity but not participating?
- What does Mark's inclusion of Bartimaeus's name suggest about his later significance in the early church and the transformative power of encountering Jesus?
- Who are the 'Bartimaeuses' in your life—those on the margins, overlooked by religious crowds, whom Jesus sees and calls?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 (Βαρτιμαῖος...τυφλὸς προσαίτης ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, Bartimaios...typhlos prosaitēs ekathēto para tēn hodon). Mark identifies this beggar by name—Bartimaeus (Βαρτιμαῖος), Aramaic bar-Timai meaning "son of Timaeus." Mark's inclusion of both Aramaic and Greek names suggests eyewitness testimony and that Bartimaeus became known in the early church.
The word τυφλὸς (typhlos, "blind") describes physical blindness that becomes metaphor for spiritual illumination throughout this passage. Bartimaeus "sat by the highway" (ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν)—the verb ἐκάθητο (ekathēto, imperfect tense) indicates habitual action: he regularly sat begging. The term προσαίτης (prosaitēs) means "beggar," one who asks for alms. In ancient society, blindness meant unemployment and destitution—beggars positioned themselves on roads to major cities like Jericho, where traffic and pilgrims provided almsgiving opportunities.
The phrase "by the highway" (παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, para tēn hodon) recalls Mark's repeated use of ὁδός (hodos, "way") for the journey to Jerusalem and the cross (8:27; 9:33-34; 10:32, 52). Bartimaeus sits beside "the way"—physically on the roadside, spiritually outside the kingdom. Jesus will bring him into "the way," following Christ to Jerusalem.