King James Version

What Does Mark 10:46 Mean?

Mark 10:46 in the King James Version says “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeu...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Mark 10:46 · KJV

Context

44

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

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.

47

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

48

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. 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?
  2. 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?
  3. Who are the 'Bartimaeuses' in your life—those on the margins, overlooked by religious crowds, whom Jesus sees and calls?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
καὶ1 of 26

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔρχονται2 of 26

“they came”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

εἰς3 of 26

“to”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

Ἰεριχὼ4 of 26

“Jericho”

G2410

jericho, a place in palestine

καὶ5 of 26

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκπορευομένου6 of 26

“as he went”

G1607

to depart, be discharged, proceed, project

αὐτοῦ7 of 26

“his”

G846

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

ἀπὸ8 of 26

“out of”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

Ἰεριχὼ9 of 26

“Jericho”

G2410

jericho, a place in palestine

καὶ10 of 26

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῶν11 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητῶν12 of 26

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ13 of 26

“his”

G846

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

καὶ14 of 26

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὄχλου15 of 26

“number of people”

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

ἱκανοῦ16 of 26

“a great”

G2425

competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)

υἱὸς17 of 26

“the son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

Τιμαίου18 of 26

“of Timaeus”

G5090

timaeus (i.e., timay), an israelite

Βαρτιμαῖος19 of 26

“Bartimaeus”

G924

son of timaeus (or the unclean); bar-timaeus, an israelite

ὁ20 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τυφλὸς21 of 26

“blind”

G5185

opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)

ἐκάθητο22 of 26

“sat”

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

παρὰ23 of 26

“by”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τὴν24 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὁδόν25 of 26

“the highway side”

G3598

a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means

προσαιτῶν26 of 26

“begging”

G4319

to ask repeatedly (importune), i.e., solicit

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 10:46 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 10:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 18:35-19:1Matthew 20:29-34John 9:8Luke 16:22

Places in This Verse

Jericho 2Settlement · Modern: Tell el Alayiq · 31.85°N, 35.44°E5 verses across 3 books
View all places in Mark 10 →

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