Lovers of God

Jesus restores sight to Bartimaeus in Jericho

Mt 20:29-34 29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. 30 And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 32 And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 33 They said to Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to be opened." 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

Mk 10:46-52 46 Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you." 50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And answering him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" 52 And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

Lk 18:35-43 35 As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41 "What do you want Me to do for you?" And he said, "Lord, I want to regain my sight!" 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.

This happens on Jesus’ final trip to Jerusalem before the crucifixion.

Matthew’s account speaks of two blind men, but Mark and Luke only focus on one of them.

Luke’s account talks about the healing that happened as Jesus was approaching Jericho. Mark’s account talks about the healing that happened as Jesus was leaving Jericho. Matthew’s account talks about the double healing that happened as Jesus was leaving Jericho, and it says that Jesus touched their eyes. Mark and Luke don’t mention any touching of the eyes.

Looks like there were three blind men involved. In Luke’s record, the first one was healed when Jesus was approaching Jericho. The other two were healed when Jesus was leaving Jericho. Mark only records one (Bartimaeus), but Matthew records both. Or perhaps, it could be that there were four blind men involved, and the two blind men in Matthew’s account was different from the one in Mark’s account.

Notice how Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he wants from Him. He obviously knew, but He still asked. This teaches us that God encourages us to be specific when we make requests to Him.

Notice how the blind man was being sternly asked to be quiet when he was trying to draw away Jesus’ attention. Even today, there are people who lead the way as Jesus journey’s in your time, but they attempt to hinder or prevent you from interacting with Jesus and getting blessed by Him. Don’t let them do that as far as you are concerned! The blind man didn’t, and received the blessing he needed, and you should too.