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It is well to read all three of these accounts. Jesus was still on His way to Jerusalem. He had come down the Jordan River to a point opposite the city of Jericho. Jericho was approx. 5 miles from the River and about 15 miles from Jerusalem. Matthew and Mark record this event as happening as Jesus left Jericho, but Luke, says that it occurred as they were coming into Jericho. Matthew says there were several beggars and the others speak of only one. The differences are not important. We will use the account according to Mark
Mark says the beggars name was Bartimaeus and his fathers name was Timaeus. Notice that by now a great multitude was following Jesus. Some followed for food, some out of love and some out of curiosity. Very few followed to be taught, yet for those few, He continued to teach by His word and by His actions.
It appears that the blind develop their other senses to compensate for their handicap and here, whether one or more, they were able to sense that someone of great prestige was coming. Notice it is Luke that records their question. "What does all this turmoil mean?" The noise of the crowd, the obvious shoving to get close to the Master, the many demands that were constantly made for His powers. The beggar(s) sensed all this. Those close by him answered, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing ." We do not know what this meant to the beggar or whether he had heard anything about Jesus, but it is obvious that he knew of the healing power that Jesus possessed.
The beggar did not hesitate, he did not wait, and it was well for as far as we know, Jesus never passed that way again. He called out, loud and with great anticipation, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us." Many, with less vision, have made the mistake of putting off this request to Jesus only to find out He never passed their way again. The message is always, "Now is the acceptable time."
Four things are evident here:
Notice how they addressed Jesus, they called Him, "Son of David", why did they not call Him, "Son of God"? In their limited understanding they acknowledged Him as the Christ, the Messiah, referred to in prophecy as the Son of David. In this capacity, they reminded Him that His mission was to help and save.
This is good training for us. We should expect to have hindrances and discouragements in our Christian life, these are permitted that faith and patience might be tried. These men, overcame what might have been discouragement from the crowd and cried out all the more.
Again, the crowd rebuked them but this time Jesus stopped and called to the beggars. His eyes were on Jerusalem and His heart was weary about what lay ahead. But He stopped and invited them to come to Him. Notice how "fickle" the crowd was. Before they were telling them to be quiet, now, they were encouraging them, "Take heart, He is calling for you." Then throwing off the clock that had kept him warm as he set day after day begging, he made his way to Jesus.
Notice what Jesus asks the beggars, "What do you want me to do for you?" Do you think this was a strange question? These beggars sat daily asking for money and perhaps Jesus thought that this was what they wanted from Him. Jesus knew that they had greater needs, but he wanted them to ask. Wouldn't it have been terrible if the beggars had only asked for alms? But these beggars were not short in their opinion of the abilities of Jesus, they asked for the maximum, "Lord, open our eyes." And Jesus said, "Go your way, your faith has made you well."
Immediately, they received their sight. Matthew says that they did not go their way , but rather, followed Him. Christ first opens our eyes, then He draws us unto Him.
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