Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 10:50

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

50. casting away his garment ] i. e. his abba, or upper garment, he rose, or, according to a better reading, leaped up. “Sturtinge cam to him,” Wyclif.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 50. And he, casting away his garment] He cast off his outward covering, a blanket, or loose piece of cloth, the usual upper garment of an Asiatic mendicant, which kept him from the inclemency of the weather, that he might have nothing to hinder him from getting speedily to Christ. If every penitent were as ready to throw aside his self-righteousness and sinful incumbrances, as this blind man was to throw aside his garment, we should have fewer delays in conversions than we now have; and all that have been convinced of sin would have been brought to the knowledge of the truth. The reader will at least pardon the introduction of the following anecdote, which may appear to some as illustrative of the doctrine grounded on this text.

A great revival of religion took place in some of the American States, about the year 1773, by the instrumentality of some itinerant preachers sent from England. Many, both whites and blacks, were brought to an acquaintance with God who bought them. Two of these, a white man and a negro, meeting together, began to speak concerning the goodness of God to their souls, (a custom which has ever been common among truly religious people.) Among other things they were led to inquire how long each had known the salvation of God; and how long it was, after they were convinced of their sin and danger, before each got a satisfactory evidence of pardoning mercy. The white man said, “I was three months in deep distress of soul, before God spoke peace to my troubled, guilty conscience.” “But it was only a fortnight,” replied the negro, “from the time I first heard of Jesus, and felt that I was a sinner, till I received the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins.” “But what was the reason,” said the white man, “that you found salvation sooner than I did?” “This is the reason,” replied the other; “you white men have much clothing upon you, and when Christ calls, you cannot run to him; but we poor negroes have only this, (pointing to the mat or cloth which was tied round his waist,) and when we hear the call, we throw it off instantly, and run to him.”

Thus the poor son of Ham illustrated the text without intending it, as well as any doctor in the universe. People who have been educated in the principles of the Christian religion imagine themselves on this account Christians; and, when convinced of sin, they find great difficulty to come as mere sinners to God, to be saved only through the merits of Christ. Others, such as the negro in question, have nothing to plead but this, We have never heard of thee, and could not believe in thee of whom we had not heard; but this excuse will not avail now, as the true light is come-therefore they cast off this covering, and come to Jesus. See this miraculous cure explained at large on Mt 20:29-34.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

And he casting away his garment,…. His upper garment, and which no doubt was little worth; though this he did, that he might make the quicker dispatch to Christ:

rose; from off the bank, or ground, whereon he sat, in an instant: and “sprung up”, as the Vulgate Latin, and Beza’s ancient copy read, with great nimbleness, and in haste:

and came to Jesus; being led by the persons that were sent to call him. It may be observed from hence, that such who are effectually called by the grace of Christ, of which this man was an emblem, hate the garment spotted with the flesh; and: put off the old man, as to the former conversation, being called by an holy God, with an holy calling, to holiness in heart and life; and that by the Gospel, which teaches to deny sin, and live a holy conversation: and these also cast away the garment of their own righteousness, it being as fig leaves, a spider’s web, filthy rags, and a beggarly robe, as this man’s was; and come nakedly to Christ, for righteousness, and renounce their own in point of justification, that being an hinderance to their coming to him for his. The Gospel reveals a better righteousness to them than their own, more suitable to them, who are called from the dunghill, to sit among princes, and to inherit the throne of glory; and then such rise in the strength of grace, and come forth to Christ, for righteousness, peace, pardon, life, and salvation.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Casting away his garment ( ). Second aorist active participle. Outer robe in his haste.

Sprang up (). Leaping up, vivid details again in Mark.

Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament

Rose [] . The best texts read ajnaphdhsav, leaped up, or, as Rev., sprang up.

Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament

1) “And he, casting away his garment,” (hode a poba Ion to himation autou) “Then he threw away his garment,” his covering by day and bed by night, the outer garment that would keep him from walking rapidly, or from running. 0 that those blind in sin might throw off, throw away, or turn in repentance, from those things that shackle them from coming to Jesus, Act 19:18-20; Isa 55:6-7.

2) “Rose,” (anapedesas) “He leaped, jumped up,” high in the air, with joyful elation and expectation, much as the lame man at the Gate Beautiful did after his healing, Act 3:8-10.

3) “And came to Jesus.” (elthen pros ton lesoun) “And he came toward Jesus,” in rapt hope and expectancy of help, Joh 6:37. “In no wise to be cast out,” or turned aside, Psa 145:18-19; 2Pe 3:9.

The law of Moses spoke concerning the return of pledged garments by night, Exo 22:26; Deu 24:13. But this blind man of faith and hope threw his garment aside, in order quickly to obey the Lord, to go to the Lord, Mat 11:28; 2Co 6:2.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

‘And he, throwing aside his cloak, sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered him and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I might receive my sight”.’

The detail of him throwing aside his cloak, again suggesting an eyewitness, is dropped by the other Gospels, (demonstrating that these writers do not invent things to give an impression of genuineness). He was so eager that he sprang up and threw aside all encumbrance. At last his chance had come and the prophet had called him. It may be that the cloak had been spread out on his knee to receive alms.

‘He came to Jesus.’ Possibly guided by the voice or perhaps with help.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus often questioned those who came to Him so that He could make them think what they were asking and could strengthen their faith.

At Jesus request he replied simply. ‘Rabboni’. This probably indicated extra respect, ‘my lord, my master’. ‘That I might receive my sight.’

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Mar 10:50. He, casting away his garment, That is, his upper garment, that it might not hinderhim a moment in his approach to Christ. The blind man herein furnishes us with an instructive lesson, that we should rise no less eagerly, no less gladly cast away our cloak, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and without all delay or hesitation follow Christ in the way, running with patience the race that is set before us, whenever he calls us by his word and Spirit. Our repentance must not be deferred from day to day: but to-day, if we will hear his voice, we must take care not to harden our hearts.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Ver. 50. And he casting away his garment ] Though a beggar, he stood not upon the loss of his coat; but for joy of his calling, cast it from him. SoJoh 4:28Joh 4:28 ; Heb 12:1 .

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

50. ] , . . ., signs of an eye-witness, which make us again believe, that here we have the literally exact account of what took place.

Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament

Mar 10:50 . Graphic description of the beggar’s eager response mantle thrown off, jumping to his feet, he comes, runs, to Jesus. Though blind he needs no guide (Lk. provides him with one); led by his ear.

Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson

Mark

AN EAGER COMING

Mar 10:50 .

Mark’s vivid picture-long wail of the man, crowd silencing him, but wheeling round when Christ calls him-and the quick energy of the beggar, flinging away his cloak, springing to his feet-and blind as he was, groping his way.

I. What we mean by coming to Jesus:-faith, communion, occupation of mind, heart, and will.

II. How eagerly we shall come when we are conscious of need. This man wanted his eyesight: do we not want too?

III. We must throw off our hindrances if we would come to Him.

Impediments of various kinds. ‘Lay aside every weight’-not only sins, but even right things that hinder. Occupations, pursuits, affections, possessions, sometimes have to be put away altogether; sometimes but to be minimised and kept in restraint. There is no virtue in self-denial except as it helps us to come nearer Him.

IV. We must do it with quick, glad energy.

Bartimaeus springs to his feet at once with a bound. So we should leap to meet Jesus, our sight-giver. How slothful and languid we often are. We do not put half as much heart into our Christian life as people do into common things. Far more pains are taken by a ballet-dancer to learn her posturing than by most Christians to keep near Christ.

Fuente: Expositions Of Holy Scripture by Alexander MacLaren

casting away = casting aside. Compare Rom 11:15,

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

50.] , …,-signs of an eye-witness, which make us again believe, that here we have the literally exact account of what took place.

Fuente: The Greek Testament

Mar 10:50. , casting away) through eagerness and joy

Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament

Phi 3:7-9, Heb 12:1

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

GARMENTS TO BE CAST AWAY

He, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Mar 10:50

We all of us wear such an outer garment wrapped about our soul. Habits (the word habit means a garment, something worn), more or less confirmed, may not only impede our progress, but trip us up and make us fall.

I. Spiritual sloth.It is the cause of many another sin which is not commonly traced to it. Religion demands effort, and sloth is not willing to give it, but excuses itself in a hundred ways. How shall we get rid of this closely clinging habit? Clearly it must be by a resolute effort, and succession of efforts: by putting on with prayer the opposing habits of industry, promptitude, punctuality, self-restraint; by discovering what are to us the occasions of sloth, and placing our watch there.

II. The habit of making excusesthe cloak we wrap around ourselves to shelter ourselves from blame or criticism which, like a keen wind, would search us through and through. The word tells its own story, for what is an excuse but an effort to withdraw ourselves and our conduct from blame or suspicion, or to escape some irksome or disagreeable duty? [The case of Adam (Gen 3:9-12); Aaron (Exo 32:21-24); Saul (1Sa 13:11-12; 1Sa 15:13-15; 1Sa 15:20-21).] It is a great proof of moral courage when a man frankly owns himself to be in the wrong, no matter what the consequences.

III. Wandering thoughts.We are so apt to forget our responsibility in the matter of our thoughts, and yet our powers of mind are of all our natural gifts the most precious, as they are the most wonderful. Our thoughts cannot be kept inactive. If we would keep them from forbidden ways we must direct them to right ways. Satan finds mischief for idle thoughts, as well as for idle hands. We must be diligent to give them constant employment.

IV. Fault-finding.This habit makes its wearers to be continually on the look-out for the mote in their brothers eye, while they disregard the beam that is in their own. Nor does it stop short at finding fault with the actions of another; it must go on to impute unworthy motives to those actions. Instead of being on the look-out for some ground of complaint, we must try to be on the look-out for some ground of rejoicing.

These are hindrances to Christian progress, as was the outer cloak of the blind beggar, and they are also hindrances to self-knowledge.

Rev. W. G. Mosse.

Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary

Mar 10:50. Casting away his garment. A detail indicating that the narrative comes from an eyewitness. Bartimeus did not stop to care for the cloak that might be lost, if it impeded his progress. Nay, if he received his sight, it could easily be found again.

Sprang up. This mark of eagerness is also peculiar to this account.

Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Verse 50

His garment; his outer garment.

Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament