Juan Carlos Ossandón, «Bartimaeus’ Faith: Plot and Point of View in Mark 10,46-52», Vol. 93 (2012) 377-402
This analysis of the plot and the narrative point of view in Mark 10,46-52 sheds some light on the function of this episode in relation to the characterization of Jesus and of the disciples in Mark. Bartimaeus appears as a model of both confessing Jesus as Messiah and following him on the way to the cross. The narrator describes in detail Bartimaeus’ behavior, but it is Jesus who approves of it and implicitly accepts the blind man’s actions and words as a correct manifestation of faith in him.
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Bartimaeus’ Faith: Plot and Point of View in Mark 10,46-52
The Bartimaeus episode takes place in Jericho just before the
entrance into Jerusalem, at the end of the “section of the wayâ€
(Mark 8,27‒10,52). The previous episodes show Jesus teaching his
disciples and the crowd about his mission and about the need of
taking his cross to follow him. Bartimaeus appears at this point as
a model of effective accomplishment of Jesus’ requirements.
However, scholars do not agree concerning the exact meaning
of Bartimaeus’ example. What is it that the disciples (and the
reader) should learn from him? 1
Through a narrative analysis of the episode, I intend to show
that Bartimaeus is presented as a model of faith in Jesus, which in-
cludes both confessing him as Son of David and following him
promptly on the way (to the cross).
This thesis opposes the view that “it is in his following Jesus on
the way that Bartimaeus is exemplary, not in his initial ― and ig-
nored and abandoned ― address of Jesus as ‘Son of David’†2. Ac-
cording to this interpretation, the title “Son of David†is inadequate,
because Bartimaeus uses it while he is still blind, and he begins to
follow Jesus only after his healing 3.
In what follows, “Mark†designates the Gospel as a written work,
and “narrator†the source from which the narration comes. The nar-
rator speaks directly, through his voice, or indirectly, through the
1
For a survey of the different interpretations of this passage see R.H.
STEIN, Mark (Grand Rapids, MI 2008) 491-498.
2
E.S. MALBON, Mark’s Jesus. Characterization as Narrative Christology
(Waco, TX 2009) 88; see 87-92; 146-147; and 222-225.
3
In addition to Malbon, see: W.H. KELBER, The Kingdom in Mark: A New
Place and a New Time (Philadelphia, PA 1974) 95; W.L. LANE, The Gospel ac-
cording to Mark. The English Text with Introduction, Exposition, and Notes
(NICNT 2; Grand Rapids, MI 1974) 387-388; E.S. JOHNSON, “Mark 10:46-52:
Blind Bartimaeusâ€, CBQ 40 (1978) 191-204, here 197; E. BEST, Following Jesus.
Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark (JSNTSS 4; Sheffield 1981) 141; D.O. VIA
JR., The Ethics of Mark’s Gospel. In the Middle of Time (Philadelphia, PA 1985)
162; F.J. MOLONEY, The Gospel of Mark. A Commentary (Peabody, MA 2002)
209; and M.E. BORING, Mark. A Commentary (Louisville, KY 2006) 306.
BIBLICA 93.3 (2012) 377-402
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