Mark Chapter 10 · Verse 51

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκριθεὶς answered G611
ἀποκριθεὶς answered
Strong's: G611
Word #: 2 of 18
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
λὲγει and said G3004
λὲγει and said
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 3 of 18
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 unto him G846
αὐτῷ unto him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 4 of 18
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
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 6 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Τί What G5101
Τί What
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 7 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
θέλεις wilt G2309
θέλεις wilt
Strong's: G2309
Word #: 8 of 18
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ποιήσω thou that I should do G4160
ποιήσω thou that I should do
Strong's: G4160
Word #: 9 of 18
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
σοι unto thee G4671
σοι unto thee
Strong's: G4671
Word #: 10 of 18
to thee
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ G1161
δὲ
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 12 of 18
but, and, etc
τυφλὸς The blind man G5185
τυφλὸς The blind man
Strong's: G5185
Word #: 13 of 18
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
εἶπεν said G2036
εἶπεν said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 14 of 18
to speak or say (by word or writing)
αὐτῷ unto him G846
αὐτῷ unto him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 15 of 18
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
Ῥαββονί Lord G4462
Ῥαββονί Lord
Strong's: G4462
Word #: 16 of 18
corresponding to g4461
ἵνα that G2443
ἵνα that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 17 of 18
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
ἀναβλέψω I might receive my sight G308
ἀναβλέψω I might receive my sight
Strong's: G308
Word #: 18 of 18
to look up; by implication, to recover sight

Analysis & Commentary

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? (Τί σοι θέλεις ποιήσω, Ti soi theleis poiēsō). This question mirrors exactly what Jesus asked James and John in verse 36. The parallel is intentional and devastating—James and John requested positions of glory; Bartimaeus requests healing from blindness. The same question exposes radically different heart conditions and spiritual understanding.

The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight (Ῥαββουνί, ἵνα ἀναβλέψω, Rabbouni, hina anablepsō). The title Ῥαββουνί (Rabbouni) is Aramaic, meaning "my master, my teacher"—an intensely personal, reverential address. Only here and in John 20:16 (Mary Magdalene addressing the risen Jesus) does this precise form appear. It expresses intimate devotion and submission.

The verb ἀναβλέψω (anablepsō) means "to look up, receive sight, see again." The prefix ἀνα- (ana, "up, again") suggests restoration—Bartimaeus may not have been born blind but lost sight through disease or injury. His request is humble, specific, and urgent—he asks for healing, not status. This contrasts with the disciples' ambition and demonstrates the humility Jesus requires: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).

Historical Context

The title 'Rabbouni' expressed deep respect and personal attachment. While 'Rabbi' was common for Jewish teachers, 'Rabbouni' was more intimate and reverential. Bartimaeus's use of this title shows he recognizes Jesus not merely as a miracle-worker but as Lord and Master deserving complete allegiance. His request for sight was both physical and spiritual—throughout John's Gospel, sight symbolizes spiritual illumination (John 9:1-41). Ancient medical knowledge couldn't cure most blindness, making Bartimaeus's request humanly impossible but divinely possible.

Questions for Reflection