10:46-52 Passing through Jericho, about fifteen miles from their destination, Jesus and his disciples and a great number of people encountered blind Bartimaeus, who sat by the highway side begging. And when Bartimaeus heard who it was, he cried, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. This is a Messianic title evoking the image of Israel's restorer. And even though the crowd rebuked him, in effect trying to silence his lips, he cried the more. This blind man wanted to see.
Jesus stopped and commanded him to be called. The crowd said, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. The man's response was immediate. Casting away his beggar's garment upon which people threw alms, he rose, and came to Jesus. He expected to be healed.
And Jesus asked him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? Bartimaeus did not hesitate: Lord, that I might receive my sight, trusting implicitly that Jesus would make it happen. And he was not to be disappointed. Jesus replied, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. Because of his faith, he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way, typifying the natural response of one who can "see."
