Mark 10:49
And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στὰς
stood still
G2476
στὰς
stood still
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
2 of 17
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 17
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
φωνεῖ
he calleth
G5455
φωνεῖ
he calleth
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
7 of 17
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φωνεῖ
he calleth
G5455
φωνεῖ
he calleth
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
9 of 17
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τυφλὸν
the blind man
G5185
τυφλὸν
the blind man
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
11 of 17
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 17
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
ἔγειραι,
rise
G1453
ἔγειραι,
rise
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
15 of 17
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
Cross References
Psalms 86:15But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.John 11:28And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.Luke 18:40And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
Historical Context
Jesus' willingness to stop for a beggar violated social expectations. Important teachers and leaders typically ignored lower-class individuals, especially beggars. The crowd's change from silencing to summoning Bartimaeus reflects recognition that Jesus operates by different values—He welcomes those society dismisses. This scene anticipates Jesus' teaching that the last will be first and first will be last (Matthew 20:16).
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus stopping His journey to the cross for one beggar reveal about His heart for individuals despite the cosmic scope of His mission?
- How does Jesus commanding the crowd to call Bartimaeus challenge us when we've been obstacles rather than bridges to people seeking Jesus?
- Who have you dismissed, ignored, or considered 'inconvenient' whom Jesus might be calling you to welcome and encourage?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called (στὰς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν Φωνήσατε αὐτόν, stas ho Iēsous eipen Phōnēsate auton). The participle στὰς (stas, "standing still") indicates Jesus stopped His journey—the same Jesus who "resolutely set His face toward Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51), determined to reach the cross, pauses for one blind beggar. This demonstrates Jesus' compassion and accessibility despite His mission's cosmic importance.
The verb Φωνήσατε (Phōnēsate, "call him") is an imperative—Jesus commands the very crowd that tried to silence Bartimaeus to now summon him. The same people who rebuked him must now reverse course and encourage him. This reversal illustrates how Jesus elevates the lowly and humbles the proud.
And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee (θάρσει, ἔγειρε, φωνεῖ σε, tharsei, egeire, phōnei se). The imperative θάρσει (tharsei, "take courage, be confident") appears throughout the Gospels when Jesus addresses fear or distress (Matthew 9:2, 22; 14:27). The verb ἔγειρε (egeire, "rise, get up") is the same word used for resurrection—Bartimaeus's rising from his begging position symbolizes resurrection from spiritual death to new life.