04_Biblica_1_A_Ossandon_Layout 1 05/11/12 12:18 Pagina 393 393 BARTIMAEUS’ FAITH becomes an obstacle to reaching Jesus quickly 40. Besides magna- nimity, Bartimaeus’ faith includes obedience to the call of Jesus. “Master, let me receive my sight” (10,51). Also the last words of Bartimaeus are a manifestation of his faith. Perhaps “sight” has here a spiritual sense, but even when considered in its physical sense, Bartimaeus’ request appears full of faith in Jesus’ power. The title that Bartimaeus chooses this time indicates that he recognizes Jesus’ authority as a master. Bartimaeus follows Jesus on the way (10,52c): this information, ir- relevant to the plot of resolution, is useful to complete both the char- acterization of Bartimaeus and the plot of revelation. Jesus has not called him as he did with the disciples; he tells him to go (10,52a). But Bartimaeus’ apparent disobedience is consistent with Jesus’ invitation in 8,34: anyone can follow Jesus, provided that he accepts to go along the way which leads to the cross. Jesus cannot refuse this new follower, although he does not belong to the group of his disciples 41. Finally, Bartimaeus’ words and deeds refer always to Jesus. It is logical to conclude that the object of his faith is Jesus himself. Although the main object of the revelation contained in this episode concerns Bartimaeus, there is also a revelation about Jesus, because “christology and discipleship prove to be simply two sides of the same coin in the Gospel of Mark” 42. To explain it, we must study briefly the characterization of Bartimaeus and Jesus, before coming to the analysis of the point of view. 3. Characters As said above, the presentation (10,46) gives a much more de- tailed description of Bartimaeus than that of the other characters. The mention of his name, useless for the plot of resolution, un- doubtedly forms part of Bartimaeus’ characterization, as it con- tributes to individualise the character 43. 40 R.A. CULPEPPER, “Mark 10:50: Why Mention the Garment?”, JBL 101 (1982) 131-132. 41 Not all those who follow Jesus are to be considered as being among the disciples: cf. E.S. MALBON, “Disciples/Crowd/Whoever: Markan Characters and Readers”, NT 28 (1986) 104-130, esp. 106-110. 42 V.K. ROBBINS, “The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus in Marcan Theology”, JBL 92 (1973) 224-243, here 226. 43 On the importance of proper names in characterization, see F.W. BUR-