7. THE CRY OF A BLIND BEGGAR (Mark.10:46-52)
BACKGROUND:
As far as we know, Jesus visited Jericho just once. It happened during his last journey to Jerusalem. Jesus
was a direct descendant of David. God had promised this king that his son would sit on the throne of Israel forever
(2 Sam.7:12-16).
The Romans, who were occupying the country at this time, didn't tolerate anyone referring to past kings,
not to mention the present. Jesus was addressed as the Son of David only once before this incident and at that time by a
foreigner
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If you had to earn your living by begging, what do you think would be the hardest part for you?
- What may have been the daily joys and sorrows of this blind beggar?
-
What can even a blind person learn while sitting by a roadside year after year, if he has good ears?
- During the three years of Jesus’ public ministry Bartimaeus heard about his visits to other places. Why didn't he
seek healing for example in Jerusalem, 30 km away, where Jesus went regularly during religious festivals?
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What were the odds against Bartimaeus when Jesus finally came to his town (46)?
- Which plan had Bartimaeus ready for contacting Jesus when he finally would come to Jericho?
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How could Bartimaeus know that Jesus was the son of King David (47)?
- Why wasn’t Bartimaeus afraid of Romans, but greeted Jesus as a crown prince or a king at the top of his lungs (47)?
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Why did people try to calm Bartimaeus down? Find as many reasons as possible (48).
- Why didn’t anyone take Bartimaeus by hand and lead him to Jesus (48)?
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How and why did Bartimaeus change his cry? Compare carefully verses 47 and 48?
- How did Jesus react to the title of a king (49-51)?
-
How do you think Bartimaeus felt when people told him Jesus was calling him (49-50)?
- Bartimaeus had probably taken good care of his cloak, which was both his mattress and his quilt at night. Why did
he suddenly throw it away (50)?
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Why did Jesus ask Bartimaeus such an obvious question (51)?
- Jesus is asking you the same question now (51). Please, answer him honestly. (You can do it in your heart.)
-
How did Jesus heal the eyes of this man (52)?
- Verse 52 can be translated in two ways: "Your faith has healed you" or "Your faith has saved you." Why did Jesus
want to say these words to Bartimaeus in this situation?
-
Bartimaeus followed Jesus on the road, probably all the way to Jerusalem (52b). The next day, everybody was
greeting Jesus as "the Son of David" as he entered the Capital (
Mark.11:9-10). What had been the part of Bartimaeus in all
this?
- Within just a week, Bartimaeus witnessed his benefactor being nailed to the cross. What do you think he understood
about the reason why Jesus had to die?
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