{"id":25705,"date":"2022-09-24T11:14:55","date_gmt":"2022-09-24T16:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-luke-1835\/"},"modified":"2022-09-24T11:14:55","modified_gmt":"2022-09-24T16:14:55","slug":"exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-luke-1835","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-luke-1835\/","title":{"rendered":"Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 18:35"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 align='center'><b><i> And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: <\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p> <strong> 35-43<\/strong>. Bartimaeus healed at Jericho.<\/p>\n<p><strong> 35<\/strong>. <strong> <\/strong> <strong><em> as he was come nigh unto Jericho<\/em><\/strong> ] This would be a week before our Lord&rsquo;s death on the evening of Thursday, Nisan 7, or the morning of Friday, Nisan 8. St Mark (<span class='bible'>Mar 10:46<\/span>) and St Matthew (<span class='bible'>Mat 20:29<\/span>) say that this miracle took place as He was leaving Jericho. With simple and truthful writers like the Evangelists, we may feel sure that some good reason underlies the obvious apparent discrepancy which would however in any case be unimportant. Possibly it may arise from the two Jerichos the old town on the ancient site, and the new semi-Herodian town which had sprung up at a little distance from it. And, as Chrysostom says, such discrepancies have their own value as a marked proof of the mutual independence of the Evangelists.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em> a certain blind man<\/em><\/strong> ] St Matthew (<span class='bible'>Mat 20:30<\/span>), as in the case of the Gadarene demoniac, mentions <strong><em> two<\/em><\/strong> blind men; and in any case a blind man would hardly have been sitting quite alone. The name of Bartimaeus is only preserved by St Mark.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P STYLE=\"text-indent: 0.75em\">See this passage explained in the notes at <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29-34<\/span>.<\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Albert Barnes&#8217; Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk 18:35-43<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>A certain blind man sat by the wayside<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The blind mans pertinacity and cure<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This teaches us&#8211;<\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>I.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>THE IMPORTANCE OF THE IMMEDIATE SEIZING OF OPPORTUNITIES. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>II. <\/strong>THE IMPORTANCE OF PERTINACITY, IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE SOUL. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>III. <\/strong>THE ROOT OF THIS PROMPTNESS OF ACTION&#8211;OF THIS UNDAUNTED PERTINACITY&#8211;WAS FAITH. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>IV. <\/strong>THE RESTORED SIGHT IS USED IN FOLLOWING CHRIST, AND IN GLORIFYING GOD. (<em>Anon.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Blind Bartimeus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>I. <\/strong>HINDRANCES WHICH BESET US IN COMING TO CHRIST FOR MERCY. <\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> Our own blindness. <\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> Impediments that others cast in the way. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>II. <\/strong>ACTIONS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR OUR COMING TO CHRIST. <\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> Jesus stood still. <\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> On Jesus showing Himself favourable, then at once did multitude. <\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> In eagerness to go to Jesus, man left garment behind (<span class='bible'>Mar 10:50<\/span>). Must cast off custom and habit of sin. Then, going to the Saviour will be easy, and prayer will be heard and answered. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>III. <\/strong>BLESSING RECEIVED; EFFECT PRODUCED. <\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> What the poor man willed, the Lord granted. <\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> A new follower. <\/p>\n<p>Application: <\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> Let no worldly hindrances debar from Christ. <\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> Many encouragements to go. Go. <\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> Having gone, truly, wholly&#8211;surely follow Him.<\/p>\n<p>(<em>Clergyman<\/em><em>s Magazine.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>The souls crisis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>I. <\/strong>Now, looking stedfastly that this may be the case, I wish to speak very pointedly to you about two or three things. First, when Jesus passed by the blind man it was to that man A DAY OF HOPE. It was an hour of hope to that blind man, and if Jesus passes by now this is an hour of hope to you. But, does He pass by? I answer&#8211;Yes. There are different respects in which this may be interpreted of our Lords conduct. In a certain sense He has been passing by some of you ever since you began to discern right from wrong. More especially is is a time of Christs passing by when the gospel is preached with power. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>II. <\/strong>Secondly, as it was a time of hope to that poor blind man, so was it especially A TIME OF ACTIVITY. You that anxiously desire salvation, regard attentively these words. A man cannot be saved by what he does; salvation is in Christ, yet no man is saved except as he seeks earnestly after Christ. <\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> This man listened attentively. <\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> He inquired with eagerness what it meant. <\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> When this man had asked the question, and had been told in reply that Jesus of Nazareth passed by, notice what he did next, he began to pray. His cry was a prayer, and his prayer was a cry. <\/p>\n<p><strong>4.<\/strong> After this man had thus pleaded, it is noteworthy that Jesus stood still and called him. That much-prized, though all patched and filthy garment, he threw right away; it might have made him a minute or two slower, so off he threw it, and away he flung it. Ah! and it is a great mercy when a poor soul feels that it can throw away anything and everything to get to Christ. <\/p>\n<p><strong>5.<\/strong> Once more. When this man had come to Jesus, and Jesus said to him, What wilt thou that 1 should do unto thee? the man returned a straightforward and intelligent answer, Lord, that I might receive my sight. <\/p>\n<p><strong>6.<\/strong> Still, I cannot withhold one other remark. That which really brought salvation to this blind man was his faith, for Christ says, Thy faith hath saved thee. Now, here is the greatest point of all&#8211;faith! Faith; for work without faith is of little worth. Faith is the great saving grace; it is the real life-germ. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>III. <\/strong>It was also AN HOUR OF CRISIS. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>IV. <\/strong>Lastly, remember that this hour of Jesus passing by is AN HOUR THAT WILL SOON BE GONE. Did you notice that word, Jesus of Nazareth passeth by? (<em>C. H. Spurgeon.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>The passing Christ recognized<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As people do not recognize that Christ passeth near to them when they are in health, even so they do not see as they ought His hand in their sickness. An invalid lamented to a lady who came to see her, that she had abused her health before it was taken from her. The friend replied, I hope that now you will take care not to abuse your sickness. Assuredly we abuse our sickness when we do not see the hand of God in it, and do not allow Jesus of Nazareth, who passeth by our bed, to bring us nearer to Himself. (<em>E. J. Hardy, M. A.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Enthusiasm rebuked<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Blind Bartimeus has to encounter obstructionists; the unsympathizing crowd interfered to silence the man. Hold thy peace, Bartimeus; have done with all this frenzied excitement; Christ has other things to do than listen to thee! So long ago was it a settled matter that a man may get excited about anything in the wide world except about Christ! You are quite at liberty to get excited about the latest war news, about politics, about the race-course, about the money-market, about anything you like, save the interests of your soul. Yes; these highly respect able people of eighteen hundred years ago have left a numerous progeny. There are always plenty of persons ready to give good advice to seeking souls, or to young Christians, after this fashion: Keep quiet, my friend; dont get excited; hush! dont make a noise about such things; whatever you do, keep calm, and dont make a fuss. I observe that the devil has his own fire-brigade, who are always ready with their hose&#8211;waiting to throw cold water on any little flame that the Holy Spirit kindles, and to offer sedatives to any startled sinner who is beginning to be in earnest about his soul. These excellent people will tell you that it is all right and proper to be religious, to be earnest up to a certain point, but you must be careful not to go beyond this. When you come to inquire what this point is, you make the astonishing discovery that it is just the point at which religion begins to do one any real good! Be earnest, so long as your earnestness does not bring you salvation; be pious, so long as your piety fails to reveal the living God to your heart; but be sure and stop short of receiving Gods gift of everlasting life, or you will be going too far! (<em>W. M. Hay Aitken, M. A.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>The blind sister<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A year ago last winter an affecting scene occurred in the streets of Baltimore. Two little sisters were looking through a large store window at the toys within, and trying to describe what they saw to a little blind sister who was with them. They were exhausting their feeble powers of description to bring home to the mind of their blind companion what they saw, although she listened greedily. But, after all, they failed to present anything more than an imperfect representation. The gentleman who saw the circumstance said that it was extremely touching, that they tried hard to describe the collection in the store, but they could not do it. That is just like our trying to tell you of Christ. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Opening the eyes of faith<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>By merely opening my eyes all the glories of light burst upon me. I take in at a glance the human face or the stretch of magnificent scenery. I gaze across the vast ocean, or, looking up through the night, I grasp millions of worlds and embrace infinitude. What an amazing result from merely opening the eyes and looking up! How often, too, a single incident, the meeting of a particular friend or the encountering of some difficulty or danger, or the gaining of a little information, colours the whole of a mans subsequent life&#8211;indeed, gives him an entirely different direction and turn. His whole attitude is altered by what occupied but a moment. It is, then, quite in accordance with Gods arrangement and mans world that great things should depend on very simple matters. And the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, though a simple thing, though not a complex, laborious, lengthened operation, is yet the very act most fitted to open the soul for God. It is not labour that is required for the reception of God. It is the feeling of emptiness, and desire to receive. It is trust in God, the belief in His great love. No labour will enable a man to behold the light of the sun or the multitude of the stars, but opening his eyes will. Opening the eyes to Gods great love in Christ, receiving that marvellous display of Gods inmost heart, that opens the heart, that brings into true accord with God, that gives a wholly different outlook on the world, that alters a mans entire attitude. (<em>J. Leckie, D. D.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>The cure of blind Bartimeus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Let us therefore review THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE HISTORY BEFORE US&#8211;arid endeavour to derive SOME USEFUL ADMONITIONS FROM IT. One of the characters of our Saviours miracles was publicity. Impostors require secrecy and darkness. Thus He recovered this man before a multitude in the highway, and close to the city of Jericho. Several of our Saviours miracles seem to have been unintentional. Thus it is said, As He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men, that were lepers, who stood afar off. Thus again we read, that when He came nigh to the gate of the city of Nain, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And so here: It came to pass, that as He was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way-side begging. You may ask then, Was His finding these objects accidental or designed? Unquestionably, designed. He was not taken by surprise. He saw the end from the beginning. His plan was formed; and He was working all things after the counsel of His own will. Our Saviour is acquainted with all our sins, but He requires us to confess them; He understands all our wants, but He commands us to acknowledge them; He is always graciously affected towards our case, but He would have us properly affected with it ourselves. He knew the desire of this man, but He would know it from him himself; and therefore, when he was come near, He asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? So here: as soon as Bartimeus received sight from the Lord Jesus, he followed Him in the way, glorifying God. We may view this two ways. It was first an evidence of the reality and perfection of the cure. In other cases where human skill has removed blindness by couching, the restored orbs cannot be immediately used; light is admitted into them by degrees; the man cannot measure distances, nor judge with accuracy; and he is not fit to be left to himself. But it is said our Lord did all things well. His manner distinguished him&#8211;the man saw at once clearly; and was able to conduct himself. Secondly, it was an improvement of the greatness of the mercy. I can never, says he, discharge my obligations to such a gracious and almighty Friend. But let me devote myself to His service&#8211;let me continually ask, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? <br \/>From the narrative thus explained, I would take occasion to bring forward four admonitions. <\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> BE PERSUADED THAT YOU ARE ALL SPIRITUALLY IN THE CONDITION OF BARTIMEUS&#8211;and that without Divine illumination, you are no more qualified for the concerns of the moral world than a blind man is for those of the natural world. <\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> BE PERSUADED THAT, WITH REGARD TO THE REMOVAL OF THIS BLINDNESS, YOU ARE IN AS HOPEFUL A CONDITION AS THIS POOR MAN. In all these miracles our blessed Lord holds Himself forth as the all-sufficient helper of sinners. <\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> BE PERSUADED TO IMITATE THE IMPORTUNITY OF THIS BLIND BEGGAR, IN CRYING FOR MERCY. And especially let your importunity, like this poor mans, appear with regard to two things. First, like him, seize the present moment. Let not the opportunity afforded you be lost by delay. Secondly, like him, be not silenced by discouragement and opposition. <\/p>\n<p><strong>4.<\/strong> If He has healed you!&#8211;if you can say, One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see. LIKE BARTIMEUS, BE CAREFUL TO FOLLOW THE SAVIOUR. This is the best way to evidence your cure. This is also the best way to improve your deliverance. Thus you will show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. Follow Him, then, as an imitator of His example. (<em>W. Jay.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?<\/strong>&#8212;<\/p>\n<p><strong>A worshipper questioned<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>All who come to church should come not to keep up an ancient form, do a duty, discharge an obligation, but to meet with Christ. And we do meet with Him (<span class='bible'>Mat 18:20<\/span>). And He asks of each the question in the text. Three classes of replies. <\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> The reply of some is, Let us alone&#8211;leave us. Diogenes wished Alexander, as the greatest favour he could bestow, to stand out of my sunshine. Christ stands between some men and what they imagine to be sunshine. <\/p>\n<p><strong>(1)<\/strong> How ungrateful is such a reply. What pain and grief it must give Him who died to save us. <\/p>\n<p><strong>(2)<\/strong> How mad it is. If we could succeed we should have destroyed our only hope&#8211;broken the only bridge by which we might return. <\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> The reply of others is, Lull our consciences to rest. They want ease, but not holiness, pardon without change of heart. <\/p>\n<p><strong>(1)<\/strong> How vain is such a search. Christs offers are always coupled with requirements ( <span class='bible'>Mat 11:28-30<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mat 5:8<\/span>). <\/p>\n<p><strong>(2)<\/strong> How utterly worthless it would be. It would be a sham, and we should know it and despise 2:3. The reply of others is, Cleanse, purify, renew us. Like this man they ask for sight. Like the leper they ask to be made clean. They cry in their doubts and fears, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief. And such never come in vain. Christ meets with them, and though they touch but the hem of His garment, grants, their requests <span class='bible'>Luk 4:18<\/span>). (<em>J. Ogle.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Blindness and the blind<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Much as blind people lose by not having the use of their eyes, they have often made themselves not only useful, but even distinguished. Professor Sanderson, of Cambridge, England, lost his sight when only a year old, but became a great mathematician. Dr. Blackwood was master of Greek, Latin, Italian, and French, and a poet of no mean degree. Dr. Henry Moyes was skilled in geometry, optics, and astronomy, and he could judge very accurately of the size of any room in which he happened to be by the effects of his voice. John Metcalf, an Englishman, was employed first as a wagoner, and afterwards became a surveyor of highways. By the help of a long staff, he would traverse the most difficult mountain roads, and was able to do more than many men accomplish with their eyes open. William Metcalf laid out roads and built bridges. Euler, the mathematician, was blind. John Gough, who was an accurate botanist and zoologist, was also blind. Lord Cranbourne, blind from his childhood, published, a history of France for the young. Huber, who has written such an interesting book about bees, was blind. Homer was blind. The same was true of Ossian and Milton. Zisca, the famous Bohemian general, performed great acts of valour after the loss of his sight. The Rev. J. Crosse, vicar of Bradford, England, was blind, but as he knew the Church service by heart, he was able to conduct public worship with impressiveness and solemnity, only requiring the help of another person to read the lessons for him. (<em>J. N. Norton, D. D.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Spiritual blindness and sight<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To be vain is to be blind, and to persist in blindness, and in the ignorance of ones blindness, and to refuse the opportunities of sight. To be worldly is to be blind; to grope among the dusty ways, the opaque and earthly objects of this lower sphere, contented with their darkness, or expecting light to shine out from it&#8211;is to be grossly blind. To be without religion, to look not up above for cheering and guiding light, to seek not the rays of that eternal Sun, which alone can warm and invigorate the soul&#8211;that is to be blind. But to be humble is to see. To feel that we are ignorant, that we are weak, that we are poor, and that the darkness within needs illumination from the Light above, and to pray for that illumination is to have our eyes opened, and to see. To receive Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith, to go to Him for the precept and example, the doctrine and direction which we so much need, and which we can obtain from no one but from Him who was sent to us from the Father of lights, is to be cured of our blindness, and to receive our sight. To follow His blessed steps, to write His instructions on the tables of our hearts, to shun all allurements and pass over all obstacles which interfere with the duty of discipleship, is to walk as children of the light and of the day. (<em>F. W. P. Greenwood, D. D.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p>. <\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P> Verse 35. <I><B>A certain blind man<\/B><\/I>] Bartimeus. See this transaction explained at large, on <span class='bible'>Mt 20:29-34<\/span>, and <span class='bible'>Mr 10:46<\/span>, &amp;c.<\/P><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Adam Clarke&#8217;s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P> This blind man was <I>Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus<\/I>, as Mark tells us, <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46<\/span>. Matthew mentions two, the other two evangelists but one, as being more famous, either upon his own or his fathers account. <\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong>And it came to pass that as he was come nigh unto Jericho<\/strong>,&#8230;. Which lay in his way to Jerusalem;<\/p>\n<p><strong>a certain blind man sat by the way side begging<\/strong>: this was not blind Bartimaeus, nor his companion, for they were cured by Christ as he went out of Jericho; but this man before he came to it; for we afterwards read of his entrance into, and passing through Jericho,<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Lu 19:1<\/span> though much the same things are related in this account, as in that of the other two blind men; <span class='bible'>[See comments on Mt 20:30]<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: John Gill&#8217;s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><TABLE BORDER=\"0\" CELLPADDING=\"1\" CELLSPACING=\"0\"> <TR> <TD> <P ALIGN=\"LEFT\" STYLE=\"background: transparent;border: none;padding: 0in;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: none\"> <span style='font-size:1.25em;line-height:1em'><I><SPAN STYLE=\"background: transparent\"><SPAN STYLE=\"text-decoration: none\">Sight Restored to the Blind.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <TR> <TD> <P ALIGN=\"LEFT\" STYLE=\"background: transparent;border-top: none;border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff;border-left: none;border-right: none;padding: 0in;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: none\"> <BR> <\/P> <P ALIGN=\"LEFT\" STYLE=\"background: transparent;border: none;padding: 0in;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: none\"> <BR> <\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> <P>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: &nbsp; 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. &nbsp; 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. &nbsp; 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, <I>thou<\/I> Son of David, have mercy on me. &nbsp; 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, <I>Thou<\/I> Son of David, have mercy on me. &nbsp; 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, &nbsp; 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. &nbsp; 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. &nbsp; 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw <I>it,<\/I> gave praise unto God.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Christ came not only to bring <I>light<\/I> to a <I>dark<\/I> world, and so to set before us the <I>objects<\/I> we are to have in view, but also to give <I>sight<\/I> to blind <I>souls,<\/I> and by healing the <I>organ<\/I> to enable them to view those objects. As a token of this, he cured many of their bodily blindness: we have now an account of one to whom he <I>gave sight<\/I> near Jericho. Mark gives us an account of one, and names him, whom he cured <I>as he went out of Jericho,<\/I><span class='bible'><I> Mark x. 46<\/I><\/span>. Matthew speaks of two whom he cured <I>as they departed<\/I> from Jericho, <span class='bible'>Matt. xx. 30<\/span>. Luke says it was <I><B>en to eggizein auton<\/B><\/I>&#8212;<I>when he was near<\/I> to Jericho, which might be when he was going out of it as well as when he was coming into it. Observe,<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I. This poor blind man <I>sat by the wayside, begging,<\/I><span class='_0000ff'><I><U><span class='bible'> v.<\/span><span class='bible'> 35<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. It seems, he was not only <I>blind,<\/I> but <I>poor,<\/I> had nothing to subsist on, nor any relations to maintain him; the fitter emblem of the world of mankind which Christ came to heal and save; they are therefore <I>wretched<\/I> and <I>miserable,<\/I> for they are both <I>poor and blind,<\/I><span class='bible'><I> Rev. iii. 17<\/I><\/span>. He sat begging, for he was blind, and could not work for his living. Note, Those ought to be relieved by charity whom the providence of God has any way disabled to get their own bread. Such objects of charity <I>by the way-side<\/I> ought not to be overlooked by us. Christ here cast a favourable eye upon a <I>common beggar,<\/I> and, though there are cheats among such, yet they must not therefore be all thought such.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; II. Hearing the noise of a multitude passing by, he asked <I>what it meant,<\/I><span class='_0000ff'><I><U><span class='bible'> v.<\/span><span class='bible'> 36<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. This we had not before. It teaches us that it is good to be <I>inquisitive,<\/I> and that those who are so some time or other find the benefit of it. Those who want their <I>sight<\/I> should make so much the better use of their <I>hearing,<\/I> and, when they cannot see with their own eyes, should, by <I>asking questions,<\/I> make use of other people&#8217;s eyes. So this blind man did, and by that means came to understand that Jesus of Nazareth <I>passed by,<\/I><span class='_0000ff'><I><U><span class='bible'> v.<\/span><span class='bible'> 37<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. It is good being in Christ&#8217;s way; and, when we have an opportunity of applying ourselves to him, not to let it slip.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; III. His prayer has in it a great deal both of faith and fervency: <I>Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me,<\/I><span class='_0000ff'><I><U><span class='bible'> v.<\/span><span class='bible'> 38<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. He owns Christ to be the <I>Son of David,<\/I> the Messiah promised; he believes him to be Jesus, a Saviour; he believes he is able to help and succour him, and earnestly begs his favour: &#8220;<I>Have mercy on me,<\/I> pardon my sin, pity my misery.&#8221; Christ is a merciful king; those that apply themselves to him as the <I>Son of David<\/I> shall find him so, and ask enough for themselves when they pray, <I>Have mercy on us;<\/I> for Christ&#8217;s mercy includes all.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; IV. Those who are in good earnest for Christ&#8217;s favours and blessings will not be put by from the pursuit of them, though they meet with opposition and rebuke. They who went along chid him as troublesome to the Master, noisy and impertinent, and bade him <I>hold his peace;<\/I> but he went on with his petition, nay, the check given him was but as a dam to a full stream, which makes it swell so much the more; he <I>cried the louder, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.<\/I> Those who would speed in prayer must be importunate in prayer. This history, in the close of the chapter, intimates the same thing with the parable in the beginning of the chapter, that <I>men ought always to pray, and not to faint.<\/I><\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; V. Christ encourages poor beggars, whom men frown upon, and invites them to come to him, and is ready to entertain them, and bid them welcome: <I>He commanded him to be brought to him.<\/I> Note, Christ has more tenderness and compassion for distressed supplicants than any of his followers have. Though Christ was upon his journey, yet he stopped and <I>stood,<\/I> and <I>commanded him to be brought to him.<\/I> Those who had checked him must now lend him their hands to lead him to Christ.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; VI. Though Christ knows all our wants, he will know them from us (<span class='bible'><I>v.<\/I><\/span><span class='bible'> 41<\/span>): <I>What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?<\/I> By spreading our case before God, with a particular representation of our wants and burdens, we teach ourselves to value the mercy we are in pursuit of; and it is necessary that we should, else we are not fit to receive it. This man poured out his soul before Christ, when he said, <I>Lord, that I may receive my sight.<\/I> Thus particular should we be in prayer, upon particular occasions.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; VII. The prayer of faith, guided by Christ&#8217;s encouraging promises, and grounded on them, shall not be in vain; nay, it shall not only receive an <I>answer of peace,<\/I> but of <I>honour<\/I> (<span class='bible'><I>v.<\/I><\/span><span class='bible'> 42<\/span>); Christ said, <I>Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved thee.<\/I> True faith will produce fervency in prayer, and both together will fetch in abundance of the fruits of Christ&#8217;s favour; and they are then doubly comfortable when they come in that way, when we are <I>saved by faith.<\/I><\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; VIII. The <I>grace of Christ<\/I> ought to be thankfully acknowledged, to the <I>glory of God,<\/I><span class='_0000ff'><I><U><span class='bible'> v.<\/span><span class='bible'> 43<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. 1. The poor beggar himself, that had his sight restored, <I>followed Christ, glorifying God.<\/I> Christ made it his business to glorify his Father; and those whom he healed <I>pleased him<\/I> best when they <I>praised God,<\/I> as those shall <I>please God<\/I> best who <I>praise Christ<\/I> and do him honour; for, in <I>confessing that he is Lord,<\/I> we <I>give glory to God the Father.<\/I> It is for the <I>glory of God<\/I> if we <I>follow Christ,<\/I> as those will do whose <I>eyes<\/I> are <I>opened.<\/I> 2. The <I>people that saw it<\/I> could not forbear <I>giving praise to God,<\/I> who had given such power to the <I>Son of Man,<\/I> and by him had conferred such favours on the <I>sons of men.<\/I> Note, We must give praise to God for his mercies to others as well as for mercies to ourselves.<\/P><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Matthew Henry&#8217;s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P> <B>Unto Jericho <\/B> (<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"> <\/SPAN><\/span>). See on <span class='bible'>Matt 20:29<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mark 10:46<\/span>, for discussion of the two Jerichos in Mark and Matt. (the old and the new as here).<\/P> <P><B>Begging <\/B> (<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span>). Asking for something. He probably was by the wayside between the old Jericho and the new Roman Jericho. Mark gives his name Bartimaeus (<span class='bible'>10:46<\/span>). <span class='bible'>Mt 20:30<\/span> mentions two. <\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Robertson&#8217;s Word Pictures in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1) <strong>&#8220;And it came to pass,&#8221; <\/strong>(egeneto de) &#8220;Then it came to pass,&#8221; happened or occurred, <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>2) <strong>&#8220;That as he was come nigh unto Jericho,&#8221; <\/strong>(en to engizein auton eis lericho) &#8220;As he drew near to (the city) Jericho,&#8221; going out of Perea into the city of Palms, only some twenty miles southeast of Jerusalem where He was bound, or going, <span class='bible'>Deu 34:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Jdg 1:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Jdg 3:13<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Ch 28:15<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>3) <strong>&#8220;A certain blind man sat by the way side begging:&#8221; <\/strong>(tuphlos tis ekatheto para ten hodon epaiton) &#8220;A certain blind man sat along the way (roadside) begging,&#8221; <span class='bible'>Mat 20:20<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46<\/span>. The blind man was Bartimaeus. Matthew speaks of two blind men, <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29<\/span>; While Mark and Luke give more specifics regarding one named Bartimaeus. It also appears that the two may not have been both healed at the same time and place in the Jericho area. At least the accounts do not allow for any collusion between or among the writers.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><em>CRITICAL NOTES<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35<\/span>. <strong>As he drew nigh to Jericho<\/strong>.St. Matthew speaks of <em>two<\/em> blind men cured as Jesus <em>departed<\/em> from Jericho (<span class='bible'>Luk. 20:29<\/span> <em>ff<\/em>.); St. Mark of <em>one<\/em> blind man named Bartimus (evidently the man here mentioned) healed as Jesus <em>went out<\/em> of Jericho. So far as the numbers are concerned, no special difficulty need be felt. The second and third evangelists simply record one case of healing in which there were details of exceptional interest. But, so far as the place of healing is concerned, there <em>is<\/em> a discrepancy which no harmonist can solve. If, however, we knew all the circumstances of the case, the discrepancy <em>might<\/em> disappear. It might turn out that there was an old and a new town at Jericho, and that departing from the one corresponded to entering the other. This conjecture is highly improbable, but is possible. Meantime the discrepancy exists, and is a testimony to the fact that the narratives of the evangelists are independent of each other.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:39<\/span>. <strong>Rebuked him<\/strong>.Not because he addressed Jesus as Son of David, but because they thought his cries would be wearisome and annoying to our Lord.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:41<\/span>. <strong>What wilt thou?<\/strong>The question seems a strange one. What else could the blind man wish for in preference to the gift of sight? We need to remember that with sight would come the call to work for his livelihooda prospect which did not, however, deter Bartimus from asking the boon.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:43<\/span>. <strong>Gave praise to God<\/strong>.St. Luke frequently concludes narratives of miracles in this way (cf. chaps. <span class='bible'>Luk. 13:17<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Luk. 9:43<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Luk. 5:26<\/span>). He, of the three evangelists, takes most notice of the glory given to God on account of the miraculous acts of the Lord Jesus (<em>Alford<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p><em>MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.<\/em><em><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35-43<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Bartimus<\/em>.The blind man, Bartimus (Mark), is seated by the wayside. That is his usual placebegging his usual occupation. But another idea fills his mind to-day. He has heard much of Jesus of Nazareth. The country is filled with the rumour that He is on His way to Jerusalem to be crowned King of the Jews. To the blind man it has, somehow, become clear that this is the Christ promised to the Fathers. He is prepared to confess his faith in Him, for he has a great boon to ask of Him. He has taken up his usual place since early morn, and is watching anxiously for the first sign of Christs coming, when he hears the sound of a multitude approaching. He asks the bystanders, or the first comers, what it meant. They answer and tell him, Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Now, then, his great opportunity has come. He lifts up his voice, in the words of that most eloquent and simple prayer he has prepared, and he repeats the prayer till the time of answer came: Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. Note what obstacles this mans faith overcame.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I. His circumstances<\/strong>.He was but a poor blind man, a customary object of charity. He who was passing by was a great Teacher, a Prophet of the people, reputed to be the Messiah, and probably the future King of Israel. Moreover, He was in the heart of a procession, engaged in teaching, and much engrossed in this momentous crisis of His public life. But Bartimus was not to be hindered by any of these things. As to the difference in rank between himself and Jesus, he made nothing of it, or rather he made an encouragement of it. When He heard the name, Jesus of Nazareth! his heart leaped up within him. This is the very person I want to meet. I am poor; He is the friend of the poor. I am blind; He is the healer of the blind. I am a despised and forgotten waif by the roadside; He is the King of Israel, the gatherer of outcaststhe Healer of the broken-hearted, the One who remembers the forgotten. If, then, any one is hindered from coming to Christ by considerations of environment, be this the answer of faith. The worse your circumstances, the more need you have of Christ, the more evident is it that you are of those to whom He is offered, and for whom He is intended. When He is nigh, let no argument find place in your heart that the time is unsuitable, or that there may be a more convenient season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II. The desire of worldly advantage<\/strong>.Here was a great procession coming. In an ordinary case Bartimus would, doubtless, have laid himself out to make a harvest of the passing caravan. On this occasion he made up his mind to forego that altogether. He weighed the two things, and he said to himself, No, no alms to-day; I will direct my whole efforts to getting a cure from Jesus of Nazareth. He did not attempt both things, but deliberately sacrificed the alms-getting for the eyesight. Doubtless he would have been a fool to do otherwise. Yet that is the folly men are committing every day, and not the thoughtless alone among men. Those who have some glimpse of the priceless value of spiritual light and peace, yet let year after year leave them as it found them, because they are too busy in the world to seek salvation, or too much afraid of losing present advantage to set aside its claims, even for a season, and count their cost of their immortal nature. Jesus and his multitudes are passing by while some of us are busy gathering pennies by the wayside. A soul in earnest, a soul prepared for the Masters grace, will hold it of such urgent moment that everything must stand aside till this great question is settled.<\/p>\n<p><strong>III. The opposition of Others<\/strong>.We are not told what were the motives of the crowd in trying to silence Bartimus. Perhaps the vulgar notion that it was improper for a common beggar like him to take up the time and attention of Jesus; perhaps that, with all their popular enthusiasm for Jesus, they were not pleased at the blind man for the boldness of his expression that Jesus was the Christ. It is not easy to conceive any obstacle in the way of the spiritually anxious more stumbling than this, when the professed, and sometimes even the real followers of Christ, object to the ardour of their expressions, or the evident feeling they show. This is going too far. It is extravagance. It disturbs the Church. The real meaning is, it puts us about, it suggests an uncomfortable suspicion that we are not in earnest, when we see some spirit-stirred ones counting all things loss to win Christ, and overturning the cold, formal decency of the Church with their new-born fervour. As soon as the cry, with its unusual title and its imploring tones, meets the Saviours ears, He comes to a standstill, and commands the blind man to be brought to Him. This is how Christ finds those that inquire after Him. We know that He is found of those who seek Him not, surprises those that look not for Him, singles out for search those that had forgotten Him. How certainly then, as this story shows, is He the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. It was a moment of rare triumph for Jesus. He is attended by a joyful crowd. But He turnshow characteristically!from the happy throng to the one miserable man who needs His help. The pertinacious vitality of faith had proved itself in this instance, and it met, according to Christs method, with an instant and abundant reward. It was proved, not only by the blind mans firm conviction of Jesus Messiahship, but by his irrepressible expression of it, by his conquest of the obstacles put in his way, by his joyous alacrity when Jesus called him, by his prompt application of Christs offered grace to his most particular need. And now, as all the Evangelists add, the proof was crowned by the first use he made of the new gift of sight. He followed Jesus in the way. From this conduct the Lord received honour, both direct and indirect, for all the people, when they saw it, swelled His praises. These two forms of service to Christ re-act upon each other. If all who know about Him were to profess Him, there would be much increase of spiritual life in the Church. If all who profess Christ were to experience what they profess, there would be much increase of spiritual heat. If all who have experienced Christ were to live up to their experience of His mercy, the Church would be like a mass of molten metal in the midst of a cold worldthe world, indeed, would be set on fire, and the whole earth would be filled with His glory.<em>Laidlaw<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><em>SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON <\/em><em><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35-43<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35-43<\/span>. <em>Bartimus<\/em>.The story of Bartimus shows us a man in difficulties, and exhibits his conduct when face to face with the three powers of life: <\/p>\n<p>1. Self. <br \/>2. The world. <br \/>3. God. We shall see what the world did for him, what he did for himself, and what Divine love did for him.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I. The world<\/strong>.The world gave him pity and alms, but it could not give him sight. He wanted power; it could only give compassion. He wanted eyes; it could only give a dole. Its gifts made him feel his dependence most keenly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II. What Bartimus did for himself<\/strong>.He was self-reliant. He would not be silenced. He is heedless of the crowd. The more opposition, the more endeavour. But he is also single-minded. He must run no risk of failure in reaching Christ. He throws aside his long robe. It might impede his progress. What was raiment, compared with the dowry of eyesight?<\/p>\n<p><strong>III. What Christ did for him<\/strong>.The best human efforts cannot achieve everything. Man and the world are not the only factors of life. Before Christ the demeanour of Bartimus is changed. He stands as one who waits. What he needs must be waited for. The man of independence is to learn dependence. And Christ acts towards him with lovelove that shows sensibility, decision, judgment, and capability. He is quick to discern need, decisive in His command, deliberate in His dealing, and powerful in His gift.<em>Carpenter<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I. The situation<\/strong> (<span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35-39<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>II. The cure<\/strong> (<span class='bible'>Luk. 18:40-42<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>III. The effect produced<\/strong> (<span class='bible'>Luk. 18:43<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><em>A Wayside Miracle<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I. The beggars need<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II. The beggars cry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>III. The beggars urgency<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>IV. Jesus response<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>1. The same cry can reach Him still. <br \/>2. He will listen, and help us.<em>Watson<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><em>A Confession of Faith<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:38<\/span>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>I. A confession of faith in Jesus as able to give sight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II. A confession of faith in Him as Messiah<\/strong>, at whose coming the eyes of the blind should be opened.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:39<\/span>. <em>Rebuked him<\/em>.The blind man saw Jesus with the eye of faith, and prayed to Him as his Saviour; while the world, who could see His person, saw Him not. And yet the blind world, which did not see Jesus, rebuked the blind man, who saw and worshipped Him; but he was nothing daunted by the rebuke, but cried to Him the more earnestly. Thus the blind recovered sight, and they who saw were blind.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:41<\/span>. <em>Vague Prayers<\/em>.Poor Bartimus had no difficulty in answering Christs question. He could not for an instant mistake or forget the nature of his want. He cried to Jesus for mercy, when he heard that He was passing by, because he felt a particular want, and believed that Jesus only could supply it. He felt that this was his only chance, and a fastly fleeting one. And so, on Christs approach and direct inquiry, he was ready with a direct and unhesitating answer. Faith was supplemented here by an accurate knowledge of the hearts plague and sorrow; and He who waited for this avowal said at once in reply, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee. We often kneel in the Divine Presence, as this man did, and call to the Saviour for mercy. Were He to cross-examine us as to the meaning of our words, would our answer be ready? Does each heart know its own bitterness so well as to be able at once to ask for the boon we specially need? Or is there unreality, is there vagueness in our language, when we pray?<\/p>\n<p><strong>I. In our confession of sin<\/strong>, do we use vague and unreal words, not meaning them? Let us practice ourselves in meaning something by our confessions of sin. This exercise, and its accompaniment of seeking forgiveness, are an indispensable part of all worship. It has respect to time past, the ineffaceable, irretrievable past.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II. But the other part of prayer has respect rather to the future<\/strong>.To obtain mercy that is one thing: to find grace to help in time of needthat is the other. Even more in the latter case is there the risk of vagueness and unreality in our prayers. The petitions which we seem to bring to the throne of grace may be neutralised by our inability to answer the searching inquiry of our Lord, What wilt thou that I shall do for thee? The very endeavour to bring something definite, something real, something learned by experience and examination, whenever we profess to approach Gods mercy-seat with words of prayer on our lips, will help to give point and meaning to our worship. Then will the question of the text sound in our ears with less of reproof than of encouragement.<em>Vaughan<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:42<\/span>. <em>Thy faith<\/em>.In replying to the request of the blind man, Jesus says, Thy faith, and not My power, in order to impress upon him the value of that moral act, and that certainly in view of the still more important spiritual miracle yet to be wrought in him.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:43<\/span>. <em>Followed Him<\/em>.All that he cared for was seeing; all that he cared to see was Christ.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Preacher&#8217;s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Butlers Comments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>SECTION 6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pitiless (<\/strong><strong><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35-43<\/span><\/strong><strong>)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37They told him, Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. 38And he cried, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! 39And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me! 40And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41What do you want me to do for you? He said, Lord, let me receive my sight. 42And Jesus said to him, Receive your sight; your faith has made you well. 43And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35-39<\/span><\/strong><strong> Cruelty: <\/strong>Finally Jesus leaves the area known as Perea, crosses the Jordan river into Judea and comes to Jericho. Immediately the careful student of the gospel records notices apparent discrepancies. In the first place, Matthew and Mark say, . . . as He was leaving Jericho (<span class='bible'>Mat. 20:29<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mar. 10:46<\/span>) and Luke says, . . . as He drew near to Jericho. . . . (<span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p>a.<\/p>\n<p>Solution #1: As Jesus entered, Bartimaeus cried out for help too late to be heardhe circled the town, joined by another blind man, appealed to Jesus as He left Jericho, and was healed.<\/p>\n<p>b.<\/p>\n<p>Solution #2: There were two Jerichos known to people in Jesus day. There was the old Jewish city about a mile away from the new Jericho (a Roman city), and both were directly in Jesus path to Jerusalem, Matthew and Mark refer to His leaving the older city; Luke refers to Him as being about to enter the newer Roman city, In between the two Jerichos, somewhere, Jesus healed the two blind men. Archaeology has confirmed this and solution #2 appears to be the most plausible (cf. Archaeology and Bible History, by Joseph P. Free, pg. 295, pub. Scripture Press). See our map, page 348.<\/p>\n<p>Another problem occurs when Matthew says there were two blind men (<span class='bible'>Mat. 20:30<\/span>) while Mark and Luke mention only one (<span class='bible'>Mar. 10:46<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p>a.<\/p>\n<p>Solution #1: Remember the silence of one record is not, in itself a contradiction of what another affirms. The only way we could have the gospel writers contradicting one another is if they say there was only one blind beggar. . . . or there were two blind beggars and not one. . . .<\/p>\n<p>b.<\/p>\n<p>Solution #2: Mark and Luke mention only the one beggar because he was so forceful or singularly vocal and the leader of the two. As a matter of fact, Mark calls him by name!<\/p>\n<p>Our reason for treating these details is that one of the theories used to prove that the Bible is inaccurate and therefore not inspired is called the Two-Source Theory. In essence this theory says the gospel writers all copied from a common dual-source or from one another. Now if they copied from a common source, or from one another, why are they so different in so many detailsnot only here but in many other places?<\/p>\n<p>Alongside the road between the two Jerichos sat the two blind men. One of them was named Bartimaeus. Hearing the multitude following Jesus passing by, he asked what was happening. When he was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing through, he shouted, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. The Greek word for cried in <span class='bible'>Luk. 18:38<\/span> is eboese, the same word used to describe John the Baptists preaching in <span class='bible'>Luk. 3:4<\/span>, . . . a voice of one crying. . . .It describes someone shouting to gain attention. Notice the beggar believed two things about Jesus: (a) that He could heal blind people; (b) that He was the messianic, Son of David. Jesus was apparently teaching the multitudes as He walked along the road and the mans loud yelling for attention made it difficult to hear Him. Or perhaps the blind man had staggered blindly out in front of the multitudes as they walked along side Jesus and became a hindrance to their progress and was looked upon as a nuisance. Those in front of the crowd rebuked the beggar. The Greek word for rebuke is epetimon, and means literally, threw their weight around. They spoke contemptuously, with a high-and-mighty attitude toward this handicapped person who was in their way! They told him to shut up. But the beggar cried out all the more, This time the Greek word translated cried is ekradzen and denotes a cry of great emotion, or a piercing, agonizing cry, a clamorous cry. Since the Greek verb is imperfect it means Bartimaeus kept on clamoring for Jesus to stop and show him mercy.<\/p>\n<p><img src='162.png' \/><\/p>\n<p>(See Oxford Bible Atlas, page 95, Oxford University Press, London, 1974.)<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:40-43<\/span><\/strong><strong> Compassion: <\/strong>Matthew tells us, of course, that both blind beggars were crying out to Jesus. Jesus stopped and gave instructions to bring the beggars before Him. Mark tells us that Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus (along with the other blind man). One must try to visualize the scene to appreciate the impact of this incident. Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. He has just been speaking of the cross to His disciples. Not only have they refused to hear Him, they have audaciously sought appointments to positions of honor and power. Multitudes are pressing all around Him as He walks this Jericho road. He is concentrating on the culmination of the great, eternal plan of Gods redemption about to be agonizingly worked out in His becoming sin for the whole world. He has only a very limited time left to teach the twelve apostles. Suddenly two ragged, handicapped, blind, beggars are screaming at Him, Help us, help us, help us! They were misfits in society, social outcasts, nuisances with nothing to contribute to His own burdens but more burden, but Jesus stops to help them. Jesus completely subordinated His own feelingsHe thrust aside His own breaking heart, to help these two helpless men. No one else offered. None of the twelve spoke on their behalf! The multitudes were contemptuous of them. But Jesus saw in them a beauty and value He did not see in these othersfaith. Jesus asked what He could do for them. Bartimaeus said, Lord, that I may see again (Greek anablepso, see again). Jesus ordered, See again! The Greek word describing Jesus reply is anablepson, imperative mood, meaning Jesus gave the command, See again. So the interruption was not really a burdensome inconvenience to Jesus after all. In fact, the faith of these two blind beggars in the midst of all the worldly-minded clamoring of the multitudes (and even of His own twelve apostles) served as a refreshing relief and spiritual encouragement to Jesus as He faced the cross. Jesus told the beggars, Your faith has made you well. The Greek word translated well is sesoke and is from the root word which means saved. The usual medical term used for healing in the Greek language is therapeuo (sometimes, iaomai). Sesoke (from, Sodzo) is sometimes translated, made whole. Luke probably used sesoke because it is ambiguous enough to mean that the blind beggars had not only been cured physically by their faith, but also made spiritually whole, or saved. Not only did the faith of these blind beggars give Jesus spiritual comfort, the miracle He performed for them caused the multitudes to glorify God and perhaps registered in their hearts more about His saviorhood than all the words He had been saying to them.<\/p>\n<p>These men had just this one opportunity to be made whole. Jesus would not pass that way again. They had to avail themselves of this one opportunity in the face of probably contemptuous cries of, Shut up, Get out of the way, Dont bother the Master, Who are you that He should help you? or others. But that did not stop their pleastheir criesfor help. And when invited by Jesus to ask, they got up and went to Him. These are the only kind of people Christ is able to help.<\/p>\n<p><strong>STUDY STIMULATORS:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1.<\/p>\n<p>The worlds injustices tend to make people pessimistic. What does the Christian have to overcome that? Does it work for you?<\/p>\n<p>2.<\/p>\n<p>Is it proper for Americans to thank God they are not like all the other people in the world who worship idols? Or would it be better for American Christians to pray, God have mercy upon us. . . .?<\/p>\n<p>3.<\/p>\n<p>Why couldnt the Pharisee be justified? Have you ever been tempted to feel like the Pharisee?<\/p>\n<p>4.<\/p>\n<p>What are some stumbling-blocks people put in the way of children or childlike adults which keep them from Jesus? Have you put any there?<\/p>\n<p>5.<\/p>\n<p>Why did Jesus begin with the rich, young ruler by reminding him that only God was good? Do you think this is where most preaching today should center?<\/p>\n<p>6.<\/p>\n<p>Why arent law and love contradictory? How had the rich, young ruler kept the commandments? Do you keep the spirit or the letter of the law?<\/p>\n<p>7.<\/p>\n<p>Why should the church be honest about the sacrificial life of discipleship to Jesus?<\/p>\n<p>8.<\/p>\n<p>Why is it hard for a rich man to enter Gods kingdom? Are you rich?<\/p>\n<p>9.<\/p>\n<p>Do you think there are other great men of God who should be rewarded more than you should be? What is Gods basis for rewarding labor in His vineyard?<\/p>\n<p>10.<\/p>\n<p>Why didnt the disciples understand Jesus crucifixion? Do you have trouble with the idea of vicarious atonement?someone else dying for your sins?<\/p>\n<p>11.<\/p>\n<p>What did Jesus get, out of stopping to help some beggars? Have you?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Appleburys Comments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Healing the Blind Beggar<br \/>Scripture<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Luk. 18:35-43<\/span> And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.<\/p>\n<p>Comments<\/p>\n<p>a certain blind man.This incident is also reported in <span class='bible'>Mat. 20:29-34<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Mar. 10:52-52<\/span>. According to Matthew, there were two blind men sitting by the wayside; Mark and Luke mention only one of them. Mark gives his name, Bartimaeus. Mark beginning with the phrase as they come to Jericho, indicates that the miracle occurred as He went out from Jericho. Matthew tells only what happened as they went out from Jericho. Luke did not see fit to explain at what point the miracle actually took place. He begins his next story, the one about Zacchaeus the Publican, by saying that He entered in and was passing through Jericho. The exact place where He met Zacchaeus or where He healed Bartimaeus does not seem to be important to him. The miracle that opened the eyes of one man and the message of salvation that changed the life of another are the things of real importance.<\/p>\n<p>A number of solutions to the problem of harmony between the accounts have been suggested. They show that while the data are limited there is no need to assume that a contradiction exists. The answer to the problem may lie in the history of Jericho. Archaeology sheds some light on that history. What appears to be a problem to us may have been no problem whatever to the writers of the Gospels.<\/p>\n<p>hearing the multitude.The crowds informed Bartimaeus that Jesus was passing by. He must have known about Him, for he cried out, Son of David, have mercy on me. Son of David is equivalent to Messiah, for all knew that the Christ was to be the son of David. His confession was about the same as that of Peter or Nathaniel. See <span class='bible'>Mat. 16:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Joh. 1:49<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>And they that went before him rebuked him.This harsh attitude of the crowds is in sharp contrast with the mercy of Jesus. Jesus was ready to listen to his amazing request: Lord, that I may receive my sight. That, of course, was asking for a miracle. He evidently believed that Jesus could do this for him. Jesus said, Receive your sight. In these brief words, the miracle of opening the eyes of a blind man is described by the gospel writers. Jesus added, Your faith has saved youthat is, from blindness. Distressed people have believed the claims of quacks, but no miracle results from their belief no matter how sincere it may be. The power to perform the miracle was exercised by Jesus to prove His right to be called, Son of David, that is Messiah. See <span class='bible'>Joh. 20:30-31<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>And immediately.This is the sign of a genuine miracle. He received his sight, followed Jesus, and glorified God. The crowds that had told him to be quiet were now ready to praise God also.<\/p>\n<p>Summary<\/p>\n<p>Lukes emphasis on the prayer life of Jesus is seen in two more parables which are given in this chapter. The parable of the Widow and the Judge was given to teach the disciples that they ought always to pray and never lose heart. Will the Son of Man find that kind of faith on earth when He comes again?<br \/>The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican reveals the necessity of humility on the part of these who pray to God for mercy.<br \/>In the busy ministry of Jesus, the disciples tried to keep parents from bringing their children to Jesus that He might touch them and bless them. But Jesus took this as an occasion to teach the important lesson that it is necessary to receive the kingdom of God in the spirit of the little child. Without that purity and trust, no one could enter the kingdom.<br \/>The story of the Rich Young Ruler presents another lesson on the theme of Eternal Life. The young man ran to Jesus and knelt before Him and asked, Good Teacher, what shall I do to have eternal life? When Jesus told him to keep the commandments, quoting those that had to do with mans duties to man, he said, I have done this since I was a boy. But there was one thing that he lacked, his duty to God. He was a man of great wealth; gold was evidently his god. Jesus told him to sell all and he would have treasures in heaven. Then He added, Come, follow me. What he needed was to worship Jesus as Lord, not gold. There is no other possible way for man to have eternal life. The apostles had left all to follow Him. Jesus said that in this life they would have manifold more and in the age to come they would have eternal life.<br \/>Luke significantly followed the lesson on eternal life with Jesus effort to get His disciples to become aware of what was to happen to Him in Jerusalem. All that the prophets had written about Him was to be accomplished. He was to be put to death and on the third day rise again in order that those who believe on Him might have eternal life.<br \/>The chapter closes with the miracle of opening the eyes of the blind beggar. The scene was at Jericho. Crowds were following the Lord. The blind man heard them passing by and asked who it was. When he learned that it was Jesus, he called out for Him to have mercy on him. When his sight was restored, he followed Jesus and glorified God.<\/p>\n<p>Questions<\/p>\n<p>1.<\/p>\n<p>What suggestion is there that this chapter continues the thought of the preceding one.<\/p>\n<p>2.<\/p>\n<p>What is the purpose of the parable of the Widow and the Judge?<\/p>\n<p>3.<\/p>\n<p>How does it differ from the lesson taught by the parable of the Friend at Midnight?<\/p>\n<p>4.<\/p>\n<p>Why is the Coming of Christ delayed?<\/p>\n<p>5.<\/p>\n<p>What contrast is there between the wicked judge and the heavenly Father?<\/p>\n<p>6.<\/p>\n<p>What lesson is taught by the fact that the widow kept coming to the judge with her plea?<\/p>\n<p>7.<\/p>\n<p>What caused the judge to finally hear her?<\/p>\n<p>8.<\/p>\n<p>What has this to do with prayer?<\/p>\n<p>9.<\/p>\n<p>Who are the elect? How do they become the chosen of God?<\/p>\n<p>10.<\/p>\n<p>What did Jesus say about the longsuffering of God?<\/p>\n<p>11.<\/p>\n<p>What did He say about the manner in which He responds to the pleas of His chosen ones?<\/p>\n<p>12.<\/p>\n<p>What do the Scriptures teach about Jesus work as high priest?<\/p>\n<p>13.<\/p>\n<p>How are we to understand Jesus question, When the Son of man corneth, shall he find faith on the earth?<\/p>\n<p>14.<\/p>\n<p>How is the question to be answered?<\/p>\n<p>15.<\/p>\n<p>What is the lesson taught by the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican?<\/p>\n<p>16.<\/p>\n<p>To what class of people did Jesus direct this parable?<\/p>\n<p>17.<\/p>\n<p>What did the Pharisee think of himself? What bearing does this have on the references to the Pharisees in chapter fifteen?<\/p>\n<p>18.<\/p>\n<p>What contrast did Jesus make between the Pharisee and the publican?<\/p>\n<p>19.<\/p>\n<p>What is there that shows that the publican was aware of the attitude of the Pharisee toward him?<\/p>\n<p>20.<\/p>\n<p>How is his humility shown?<\/p>\n<p>21.<\/p>\n<p>What does the Bible say of those whose confessions of sin are recorded in it?<\/p>\n<p>22.<\/p>\n<p>Why was the publican pardoned?<\/p>\n<p>23.<\/p>\n<p>What lesson did Jesus teach from this parable?<\/p>\n<p>24.<\/p>\n<p>Why did the parents bring their babes to Jesus?<\/p>\n<p>25.<\/p>\n<p>Why did the disciples rebuke them for doing so?<\/p>\n<p>26.<\/p>\n<p>What is the responsibility of parents in the matter of religious training? of the church?<\/p>\n<p>27.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Old Testament, who was responsible for teaching the Law of God to the children?<\/p>\n<p>28.<\/p>\n<p>From whom did Timothy learn about the sacred writings?<\/p>\n<p>29.<\/p>\n<p>What should be the relation between the home and the church in child training?<\/p>\n<p>30.<\/p>\n<p>What did Jesus mean by saying that to such belongs the kingdom of God?<\/p>\n<p>31.<\/p>\n<p>Why are sinners told to repent and be baptized to enter the body of Christ, the church?<\/p>\n<p>32.<\/p>\n<p>What do the three accounts reveal about the story of the Rich Young Ruler?<\/p>\n<p>33.<\/p>\n<p>What may be said about his age?<\/p>\n<p>34.<\/p>\n<p>What did he call Jesus?<\/p>\n<p>35.<\/p>\n<p>Why did Jesus challenge this remark?<\/p>\n<p>36.<\/p>\n<p>What did Jesus mean by saying, No one is good except One.<\/p>\n<p>37.<\/p>\n<p>Why did Jesus quote only the commandments that had to do with mans duties to man?<\/p>\n<p>38.<\/p>\n<p>What did the young ruler lack?<\/p>\n<p>39.<\/p>\n<p>What did he have to do to overcome it?<\/p>\n<p>40.<\/p>\n<p>What did Jesus mean by the reference to a camel and a needles eye?<\/p>\n<p>41.<\/p>\n<p>What did Peter say when he heard Jesus remarks about the rich?<\/p>\n<p>42.<\/p>\n<p>What is the meaning of Jesus words, Many shall be last that are first and first that are last?<\/p>\n<p>43.<\/p>\n<p>Why did Jesus call attention to the things that were to happen to Him at Jerusalem?<\/p>\n<p>44.<\/p>\n<p>Why didnt the disciples understand?<\/p>\n<p>45.<\/p>\n<p>What are the facts about the miracle of healing the blind beggar as given in all three synoptic gospels?<\/p>\n<p>46.<\/p>\n<p>Why didnt Luke state exactly where it took place?<\/p>\n<p>47.<\/p>\n<p>Why did the beggar call Jesus Son of David?<\/p>\n<p>48.<\/p>\n<p>What was the attitude of the crowd toward the beggar?<\/p>\n<p>49.<\/p>\n<p>What was implied in his request that he might receive his sight?<\/p>\n<p>50.<\/p>\n<p>What did his faith have to do with the miracle?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>(35) <strong>As he was come nigh unto Jericho.<\/strong>Better, <em>as He was coming nigh.<\/em> See Notes on <span class='bible'>Mat. 20:29-34<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mar. 10:46-52<\/span>. St. Luke, for some reason, passes over the ambitious request of the sons of Zebedee. He agrees with St. Mark, and not with St. Matthew, as to there being <em>one<\/em> blind man, and as to the miracle being wrought on the approach to Jericho, not on the departure from it.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Ellicott&#8217;s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <em>  108. JESUS RESTORES SIGHT TO THE BLIND NEAR JERICHO, <span class='bible'><em> Luk 18:35-43<\/em><\/span><\/em> <em> .<\/p>\n<p><\/em><\/p>\n<p> See notes on <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29-34<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46-52<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Whedon&#8217;s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> &lsquo;And it came about that, as he drew near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging,&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> Having crossed the Jordan from Peraea Jesus now approached Jericho on the way to Jerusalem. A meeting with a number of blind men and other beggars there would not be unexpected. At Passover time large crowds of people would be making their way to Jerusalem across the Jordan, both from Peraea and Galilee, and many of them would take this route. It was thus a good begging point at a time when people would be feeling generous. Possibly we are also intended to see that a blind Jerusalem awaited Him.<\/p>\n<p> This was modern Jericho, not the site of ancient Jericho mentioned in <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46<\/span> (He would actually be between modern Jericho and ancient Jericho). Some have said that ancient Jericho was not known then still to have been recognised under that name, but while the fact may not be known to us it is unlikely to be true. The story of Jericho and what happened to its walls was so prominent that its site must have been recognised. Every generation who passed it would tell their children the story. Modern Jericho was only comparatively recently built. And Mark was probably proud of ancient Jericho. And he probably mentions old Jericho (for he does not usually mention place names) because he sees Jesus entry into the land almost as a repetition of Israel&rsquo;s entry, followed by that of Elisha (compare <span class='bible'>2Ki 2:4-15<\/span>). First the Jordan, and then Jericho. Thus it would be the ancient city that he was interested in.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> The Blind Man&rsquo;s Eyes Are Opened And He Presses Into The Kingly Rule of God (18:35-43).<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> It can be no accident that this incident follows the depicting of the disciples as &lsquo;blind&rsquo; to the truth about Jesus. They are going forward blindly into Jerusalem, where eventually their eyes will be opened. Compare <span class='bible'>Mar 8:18<\/span> with 23 where a similar &lsquo;blindness&rsquo; on the part of the disciples is followed by the healing of a blind man.<\/p>\n<p> In this passage the blind man recognises Jesus as the Son of David, and refuses to be quiet until he is brought to Him. His determination to see Jesus parallels the idea of those who press into the Kingly Rule of God and refuse to take &lsquo;no&rsquo; for an answer (<span class='bible'>Luk 16:16<\/span>). Then, once his eyes have been opened, he follows Him.<\/p>\n<p><strong> Analysis.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> a <\/strong> &lsquo;And it came about that, as He drew near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging&rsquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:35<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'><strong> b <\/strong> Hearing a crowd going by, he enquired what this meant, and they told him, that &ldquo;Jesus of Nazareth passes by&rdquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:36-37<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'><strong> c <\/strong> &lsquo;And he cried, saying, &ldquo;Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me&rdquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:38<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'><strong> d <\/strong> Those who went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace, but he cried out the more a great deal, &ldquo;You son of David, have mercy on me&rdquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:39<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'><strong> e <\/strong> &lsquo;And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought to him, and when he was come near, He asked him&rsquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:40<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'><strong> d <\/strong> &ldquo;What do you wish that I should do to you?&rdquo; And he said, &ldquo;Lord, that I may receive my sight.&rdquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:41<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'><strong> c <\/strong> &lsquo;And Jesus said to him, &ldquo;Receive your sight. Your faith has made you whole&rdquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:42<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'><strong> b <\/strong> &lsquo;And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God, and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God&rsquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:43<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'><strong> a <\/strong> &lsquo;And He entered and was passing through Jericho&rsquo; (<span class='bible'>Luk 19:1<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p> Note that in &lsquo;a&rsquo; He drew near to Jericho, and in the parallel He continued on through Jericho. In &lsquo;b the crowd was going by and told him that Jesus of Nazareth was there, and in the parallel both he and they give glory to God because of what Jesus has done for him. In &lsquo;c&rsquo; he cries out to Jesus for mercy (to be healed) and in the parallel Jesus responds to his cry and heals him. In &lsquo;d&rsquo; he calls on Jesus for mercy, and in the parallel Jesus asks what he wants and is told what his cry for mercy was all about. Centrally in &lsquo;e&rsquo; he is brought to Jesus face to face.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> Jesus Heals a Blind Man <\/strong> In <span class='bible'>Luk 18:35-43<\/span> we have the story of Jesus healing a blind man.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Everett&#8217;s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong> The Blind Man of Jericho.<\/p>\n<p><\/strong> The passing of Jesus of Nazareth:<\/p>\n<p>v. <strong> 35<\/strong>. <strong> And it came to pass that as He was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the wayside begging;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>v. <strong> 36<\/strong>. <strong> and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>v. <strong> 37<\/strong>. <strong> And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>v. <strong> 38<\/strong>. <strong> And he cried, saying, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>v. <strong> 39<\/strong>. <strong> And they which went before rebuked him that he should hold his peace; but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.<\/p>\n<p><\/strong> See <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29-34<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46<\/span>. Jesus had now crossed the Jordan from Perea into Judea and was nearing the city of Jericho. Near this city He healed two blind men, as Matthew relates, one before entering the city, of whom Luke tells, one upon leaving the city, whose healing Mark relates. As Jesus with &amp; large company of people, in addition to His disciples, was nearing the city, the blind man, who sat near the gate of the city, where many people were wont to pass by, heard the sound of the many feet moving along the road and inquired as to the reason. He received the information that it was Jesus, the Prophet of Nazareth, who was passing by. Immediately the man acted as though he were electrified. He cried out with a loud voice, calling upon Jesus to have mercy upon him, giving Him the name which was reserved for the promised Messiah as a title of honor. From the reports concerning Jesus and His work this blind man had gained the right, the saving knowledge concerning Christ, and his faith looked up to the Master as the only one who, in His mercy, could cure him. The leaders of the multitude that were just passing the spot where the blind man was sitting, tried to hush him up, just as is often done in our days, when helpless cripples are regarded as a nuisance and treated accordingly. But the man was not daunted by their rebukes that he should hold his peace. He continued his cry to Jesus for mercy:<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Luk 18:35-43<\/span> . See on <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29-34<\/span> ; <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46-52<\/span> . Luke, reproducing Mark&rsquo;s narrative in an abridged form, adds nevertheless independently the important conclusion (<span class='bible'>Luk 18:43<\/span> ), and follows a variation of the tradition in transposing the circumstance so as to make it <em> precede<\/em> the entry. But the purpose of annexing the history of Zaccheus was in no wise needed to occasion this departure from Mark (in opposition to Bleek and Holtzmann).<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Luk 18:36<\/span> .    ] without  (see the critical remarks), asks, <em> quite specifically, what this should be<\/em> (not: what this might possibly be). See Hermann, <em> ad Viger<\/em> . p. 742. Comp. Stallbaum, <em> ad Plat. Lach<\/em> . p. 190 B; Maetzner, <em> ad Antiph<\/em> . p. 130.<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Luk 18:43<\/span> . The poetic  (see Buttmann, <em> Lexil<\/em> . II. p. 112 ff.) appears only here and in <span class='bible'>Mat 21:16<\/span> (a quotation from the LXX.) in the New Testament; more frequently in the LXX. and the Apocrypha.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer&#8217;s New Testament Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> (35) And it came to pass, that, as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: (36) And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant? (37) And they told him, That Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. (38) And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (39) And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace; but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (40) And Jesus stood and commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, (41) Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? and he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. (42) And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. (43) And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> The history of this miracle hath been so largely dwelt upon, in the review taken of it in Mark&#8217;s Gospel, (<span class='bible'>Mar 10:46<\/span> ) that I need only refer the Reader to it in that place.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Hawker&#8217;s Poor Man&#8217;s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong> XV<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> BARTIMEUS HEALED; ZACCHEUS SAVED; AND THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> Harmony, pages 137-139 and <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29-34<\/span><\/strong> <strong> ; <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46-52<\/span><\/strong> <strong> ; <span class='bible'>Luk 18:35-19:28<\/span><\/strong> <strong> .<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> This section commences on page 137 of the Harmony. There are just seven things that I want to say about this miracle of the healing of Bartimeus:<\/p>\n<p> 1. This record has always given Bartimeus a lively place in the memory of each student of the Bible. The story takes hold of the imagination.<\/p>\n<p> 2. While our Lord healed a great many blind people, our Gospels specialize but three instances in the following order: (1) The healing of the blind man in Bethsaida recorded by Mark alone (<span class='bible'>Mar 8:22-26<\/span> ), found on page 89 of the Harmony; (2) the healing of the man born blind at Jerusalem as recorded in <span class='bible'>Joh 9<\/span> , and found in the Harmony, page 108; and (3) this lesson on page 137 of the Harmony, recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. And it is one of the greatest proofs of the inspiration of the Bible that when we take the three accounts and put them together in the form of a Harmony, a definite plan is just as evident in the combined narrative of the case as in the gradations of the single narratives. The same characteristic appears in the three restorations to life: (1) of the daughter of Jairus, (2) of the son of the widow of Nain, and (3) of Lazarus. So with other miracles; the combined narratives are graded in every case. Therefore in studying this miracle of the healing of blindness we must compare the first instance recorded, the one in Bethsaida, with the second instance recorded, the one in <span class='bible'>Joh 9<\/span> , and this last instance, and we will be enabled by the comparison to notice the distinguishing features of the three miracles, which are very remarkable. I have more than once recommended Trench&#8217;s book on miracles. If we take his book and carefully read in connection and in order these three instances of the healing of the blind, then Broadus on this last one in his commentary on Matthew, and Hovey on the one in John, we learn how to gather and correlate homiletic materials for a great sermon on Christ&#8217;s healing the blind. The books of Broadus and Hovey belong to &#8220;The American Commentary.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> 3. The textual difficulties of this last case call for some explanation. These difficulties appear as follows: Matthew says, &#8220;Behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside;&#8221; Mark and Luke give just one, and give the surname. Matthew says, &#8220;And as they went out from Jericho,&#8221; and Luke says, &#8220;As he drew nigh unto Jericho.&#8221; There is no trouble at all about the first difficulty, that is, Matthew mentions that there were two and the others confine what they say to the principal one; there is no contradiction. In other words the histories of Mark and Luke do not contradict the statement by Matthew that there were two, unless they had said, &#8220;only one.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> 4. In the other difficulty, Matthew and Mark saying it occurred as they went out from Jericho, and Luke saying that it was as they drew nigh to Jericho, and Luke saying that it was as they drew nigh to Jericho, there seems to be a plain contradiction of Scripture. The footnote in the Harmony gives the best explanation. It is clearly stated in that footnote and it is much more elaborated in the commentary on the passage by Dr. Broadus. The point is just this: The old Jericho was abandoned for a long time after the curse that was put upon it when the Israelites first entered into the land, but it was afterward partially rebuilt. Herod, the king living when Christ was born, built a new Jericho, and if we simply understand that Luke is referring to the new Jericho, and Matthew and Mark to the old Jericho, we have the explanation.<\/p>\n<p> 5. This beggar, or these two beggars, both ascribe to Jesus a messianic title: &#8220;Thou son of David.&#8221; It was the peculiar characteristic of the Messiah when he came that he was to be the son of David sit on David&#8217;s throne and that is why in the genealogies Matthew traces the descent of Jesus from David legally through Joseph, and Luke really through Mary, his mother. It had to be proved that he belonged to the royal family of David. Now these men ascribe that messianic title to him.<\/p>\n<p> 6. The next thing which I wish to explain is in <span class='bible'>Mat 20:31<\/span> of Matthew&#8217;s account: &#8220;And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace.&#8221; The source, or ground, of that rebuke, has been explained in two ways, and the latter way is the more probable. The first is that the Pharisees in that multitude rebuked these suppliants for ascribing the messianic title to Jesus of Nazareth. It is more probable that the disciples did the rebuking because they did not like for Jesus to be constantly obtruded upon by the persistence of these beggars. In like manner, on an earlier occasion, they rebuked the persistence of the Syrophoenician woman: &#8220;Why trouble ye the Master?&#8221; And again they rebuked the bringing to him of little children that he might put his hands on them, bless them, and pray for them.<\/p>\n<p> One of the strongest proofs of the divinity of Jesus Christ was his approachableness by all men at all times. He would not allow himself to be hedged against the approach of people to him who needed help.<\/p>\n<p> A rich man like Mr. Rockefeller surrounds himself with guards and with clerks, so that it is impossible for anybody to have an interview with him unless he first designates his wish to have an interview, and the reason is that he hasn&#8217;t time, and that it isn&#8217;t possible for him to receive and hear everybody who desires to come and see him) especially when they want help, but Christ faces the whole world and says, &#8220;Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,&#8221; and whether it was a Syrophoenician woman, or parents bringing little children, or blind beggars by the wayside, he would not have their approach or progress to him barred.<\/p>\n<p> 7. The last thing to which I wish to call attention in that miracle can be put forth in the form of a question. What thrilling song was based on a passage in this miracle? ZACCHEUS SAVED<\/p>\n<p> Now, on the next section (p. 138 <span class='bible'>Luk 19:1-28<\/span> ), I wish to say a few things about the case of Zaccheus. Zaccheus, like Bartimeus, strikes the imagination. In my childhood I heard a plantation Negro sing: Little Zaccheus climbed a tree, The Lord and Master for to ace.<\/p>\n<p> I don&#8217;t remember the rest of the song, but it illustrates the hold of the Zaccheus story on the popular imagination. It suggests also a very valuable lesson, correcting the impression that only giants in body and strength can become masters in mind and knowledge. Big men physically are apt to look down somewhat, not only in body, but spiritually and mentally, upon men of low stature. I recall the poem in the old school book, <strong><em> McGuffey&#8217;s Third Reader:<\/em><\/strong> How big was Alexander, Pa, That people called him great? Was he so tall, like some steeple high, That while his feet were on the ground His hands could touch the sky?<\/p>\n<p> We recall such men in this country as Alexander Stephens, and Stephen Arnold Douglas, the little giant, and many others of small stature who attained to great distinction. The great William of the house of Orange, the Duke of Luxemburg, General Roberts, a great British general, the Duke of Wellington, and even Louis XIV, were small men. I say that for the comfort of any one who is unable to measure up high physically as he may wish he could.<\/p>\n<p> Here I ask a question: When Zaccheus says, &#8220;Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore fourfold,&#8221; does that language express what had been his habit before this date, or does it express a purpose of what he will do since he has met Jesus? Does Zaccheus say that from the viewpoint of a man converted that day and expressive of what he intended to do in the future, or does he designate what had been his habit to justify himself of the censure upon him by the Pharisees? They said, &#8220;Here is a sinner and Jesus of Nazareth is going to abide with a sinner.&#8221; Now does Zaccheus reply, &#8220;However great a sinner I may have been, hereafter I intend to give half of my goods to the poor, and if I have wronged any man, to restore to him fourfold?&#8221; Or, &#8220;Though they call me a sinner, yet by my deeds have I proved that I am saved?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> The third observation on the case of Zaccheus is the expression, &#8220;Today is salvation come to this house.&#8221; I remember once when the president of Baylor University, in the long ago, took a number of the boys out to hear an Episcopal preacher. The Episcopal preacher took the position that there was no such thing as instantaneous conversion, intending to criticize the Methodists and Baptists upon that point that conversion was the result merely of a long previous education. As we were walking away from the church Dr. Burleson says, &#8220;What about the case of Zaccheus? He was a sinner, and a lost sinner, when he climbed that tree. He was a saved man when he came down from the tree, for our Lord said, &#8216;To-day is salvation come to this house.&#8217; &#8220;<\/p>\n<p> I call attention to that fact because a great many preachers preach without directness and without expectation of immediate results. They think that if they will hold a meeting about nine days that on the tenth day they can get the iron so hot somebody will be converted, and they themselves have no faith in anybody being converted early in the meeting.<\/p>\n<p> But great preachers expect immediate results. They are dissatisfied if somebody is not converted every time they preach. They feed their minds on that thought that God has present ability to save any man, and look for conversions. They believe that somebody will be converted that day. They pray that somebody will be converted that day:<\/p>\n<p> The last thought on the Zaccheus case is what Christ said in the rebuke of the Pharisees: &#8220;He also is a son of Abraham.&#8221; They counted him, because a publican, an outcast, for the publican was a Jew, who would consent to collect taxes for the Roman government, and they were held as much in abomination by the Jews as the Southern people used to hold a scalawag, i.e., a Southerner who would take office under the oppressor of the people. So &#8220;scalawag&#8221; would be a pretty good modern translation of &#8220;publican.&#8221; Jesus says, &#8220;He shows that he is the son of Abraham.&#8221; &#8220;All are not Jews who are Jews outwardly, but only those that are Jews inwardly,&#8221; Paul says. Now this man is a Jew inwardly and outwardly; he is a fleshly and spiritual son of Abraham.<\/p>\n<p> <strong> THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> The case of Zaccheus and what disposition he made of his money, for he was a rich man, suggested a parable. But the two reasons assigned for giving the parable of the pounds are these: &#8220;He spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear.&#8221; Oh, how many times did our Lord warn against the idea that the coming of Christ in his glorious kingdom was immediate! Instead of its being immediate, this nobleman goes away as Jesus went away when he ascended from the dead; went to receive his kingdom and administer it from his throne in heaven; only after a long time will he come back. Let us be clear on that. He will stay there until he has done the things for which he ascended to heaven, and then when he comes back he will come back for reasons of resurrection and judgment. He will make professed Christians give an account of their stewardship. He will punish his enemies and there will not be an interval of time between his coming to reward his people and the punishment of the wicked, which the premillennialists continually affirm, but both will take place on the same occasion. This parable and a number of others make that as clear as the noonday sun. One of the reasons for speaking this parable was because so many of them supposed that this glory kingdom would come immediately. A little later we will take up a parable pretty much on the same line as the parable of the pounds, called the parable of the talents, and the two ought always to be studied together, but there were special reasons for speaking the parable of the pounds, in this connection, and when we get to the parable of the talents I will show the points of distinction between the two. So far as this one goes, two classes of people are in his mind, as here represented in the parable, the going off of the nobleman or prince to receive a kingdom: the first one is the case of those who profess to be his disciples or his people; the second case is that of those who refuse to admit his sovereignty over them, that is, the wicked, the avowedly wicked, those who openly say Jesus Christ is neither my king, nor my ruler, nor my Saviour. It is the object of this parable to show what he does in the case of his servants as he goes off, and what he does in their case when he comes back, and then to show what he does with those citizens who say that he shall not reign over them. In the case of his professed servants they are represented as agents or stewards receiving a certain amount, and here the amount is equal, ten servants each one pound, and he says, &#8220;Trade ye herewith till I come.&#8221; If we profess to be Christians we acknowledge that we stand toward Christ in the relation of steward, and that what we have is given to us; that we may use it for the glory of God, and that when Jesus returns he will have a reckoning with us on that point; so that a Christian comes into judgment, not on a life and death matter, but he comes into judgment on his fidelity as a Christian. The parable shows that rewards will not be equal. All saved people will not be rewarded alike: they are saved alike, but they are not rewarded alike. The difference in their rewards is based upon the degree of their fidelity. If one man takes one pound and makes ten with it his reward is twice as great as the one who takes one pound and only makes five. That is clear. We often hear the question, &#8220;Are there degrees in heaven?&#8221; The answer to it is but another question, &#8220;Degrees of what?&#8221; If we ask, &#8220;Are there degrees of salvation?&#8221; The answer is, &#8220;No.&#8221; If we ask, &#8220;Are there degrees of rewards?&#8221; The answer is, &#8220;Yes.&#8221; That is evident. The servants are dealt with according to their profession, as church members are held accountable, without stopping to inquire whether they are rightfully church members. One of these servants took his pound and hid it in a napkin, and at the day of judgment he says, &#8220;Lord, here is your pound, just as you gave it to me. I rolled it up in a napkin and hid it.&#8221; Now to the man Jesus replies, &#8220;Thou wicked servant,&#8221; wicked because he has done no good with his opportunities, with his talents, with his money, with anything that he has had as a professed Christian. &#8220;Therefore,&#8221; says the Lord, &#8220;take away from that man his pound. What good is it to him? Wrap it up in a rag and stick it in a hole. He doesn&#8217;t use it for any good purpose.&#8221; As Cromwell said when he entered the British parliament and saw twelve silver images, &#8220;Whose are those images?&#8221; and the reply was, &#8220;They are the twelve apostles in silver.&#8221; &#8220;Well,&#8221; he says, &#8220;melt them down and put them into the coin of the realm and let them go about doing good like their name sakes.&#8221; An idea is expressed in this paradox, &#8220;Unto every one that hath shall be given, but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> There is an inexorable natural law, that an unused organ goes into bankruptcy and a used organ develops a greater power. An arm carried in a sling and unused for twelve months, loses its muscle power. So nature proves how may be taken away what one hath and to him that hath shall be given. The parable closes, &#8220;Howbeit these mine enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me.&#8221; The slaying of the enemies and the rewarding of the servants take place at his coming and not separated by a thousand years of time. As Paul says, he visits his righteous indignation upon his enemies when he appears to be admired in his people. The two are simultaneous.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong> QUESTIONS<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> 1. What is the impress made by the story of Bartimeus?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 2. What three instances of healing the blind specialized by the Gospels and what evidence of inspiration do they give?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 3. What are the points of likeness and the points of contrast in these three instances?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 4. What authors commended on these instances of Christ&#8217;s healing the blind and the special value of a study of them on these miracles?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 5. What two textual difficulties here and what is the solution of each?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 6. What title did these beggars ascribe to Jesus, what is its meaning and what is the bearing of this on the harmony of the genealogies of Christ?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 7. What are the two explanations of <span class='bible'>Mat 20:31<\/span> , which is preferable, and what other examples that illustrate this explanation?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 8. What is one of the strongest proofs of the divinity of Christ and how contrasted with modern men of wealth and power?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 9. What thrilling modern song is based on a passage in this miracle?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 10. How has the incident of Zaccheus impressed the imagination and what is the couplet here given to illustrate?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 11. What valuable lesson suggested by the fact that Zaccheus &#8220;was little of stature&#8221;? Quote the poem to illustrate.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 12. Name seven men small in stature but great in mind.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 13. What did Zaccheus mean by his saying in <span class='bible'>Luk 19:8<\/span> ?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 14. What bearing has this incident on instantaneous conversion and what is the lesson here for the preacher?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 15. What is the meaning of Christ&#8217;s saying, &#8220;He also is a son of Abraham,&#8221; and what is Paul&#8217;s teaching in point?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 16. What parable suggested by the case of Zaccheus and what two reasons assigned for speaking the parable?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 17. How does this parable warn against the idea that Christ&#8217;s coming in his glorious kingdom was immediate?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 18. What other parable ought to be studied in connection with this one?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 19. What two classes of people in the mind of Christ when he gave this parable and what is the object of the parable?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 20. What do &#8220;servants&#8221; and &#8220;citizens&#8221; each represent in this parable? <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 21 What tremendous responsibility here shown to rest upon the professed servants of Christ and what is the bearings on rewards?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 22. Who is represented in this parable by the man who buried his pound?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 23. Give the illustration of the twelve apostles in silver.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 24. What paradox in this parable and what the explanation?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 25. What does this parable teach relative to the second coming of Christ and attendant events?<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: B.H. Carroll&#8217;s An Interpretation of the English Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> 35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: <strong> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> Ver. 35. See <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29<\/span> ; <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46<\/span> . <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: John Trapp&#8217;s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> 35 43.<\/strong> ] HEALING OF A BLIND MAN AT THE ENTRANCE INTO JERICHO. <span class='bible'>Mat 20:29-34<\/span> .<span class='bible'>Mar 10:46-52<\/span><span class='bible'>Mar 10:46-52<\/span> , where see notes.<\/p>\n<p> I have on Matt. spoken of the discrepancy of his narrative from the two others. The supposition that they were two miracles is perfectly monstrous; and would at once destroy the credit of Matthew as a truthful narrator. If further proof of their identity were wanting to any one, we might find it in the fact that the following expressions are common to Mark and Luke. In Matt. of course they are in the plural, as he has <em> two<\/em> blind men.    .   (   .  .  .  .)    (-  )     (  -)  (  )       .       (  .  .  .)  (  Mark as usual)        .<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Henry Alford&#8217;s Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Luk 18:35-43<\/span> . <em> The blind man at Jericho<\/em> (<span class='bible'>Mat 20:29-34<\/span> , <span class='bible'>Mar 10:46-52<\/span> ).   : the blind man is not named, from which J. Weiss (Meyer) infers that the name cannot have been in Lk.&rsquo;s source. A very precarious inference. Lk. deviates from the tradition in the parallels as to the place of the incident: connecting it with the entrance into Jericho instead of the exit from the town.  as in <span class='bible'>Luk 16:3<\/span> .<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk 18:35-43<\/p>\n<p> 35As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38And he called out, saying, &#8220;Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!&#8221; 39Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, &#8220;Son of David, have mercy on me!&#8221; 40And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41&#8243;What do you want Me to do for you?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;Lord, I want to regain my sight!&#8221; 42And Jesus said to him, &#8220;Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.&#8221; 43Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:35 &#8220;As Jesus was approaching Jericho&#8221; The Synoptic Gospels have several variations of this same account: (1) Matthew has two blind men (cf. Mat 20:30) or (2) Mark called this man Bartimaeus (cf. Mar 10:46). The seeming contradiction in location, entering (Luk 18:35) or leaving (Mat 20:29; Mar 10:46) Jericho, seems to be due to the fact that there were two Jerichos, the old city and the new one built by Herod the Great.<\/p>\n<p> &#8220;a blind man&#8221; The Gospels record the healing of many blind people. It was an OT prophecy that the Messiah would heal the blind (cf. Isa 29:18; Isa 35:5; Isa 42:7; Isa 42:15). Physical blindness was a metaphor of spiritual blindness (cf. Isa 42:18-19; Isa 59:9-10; John 9).<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:37 &#8220;Jesus of Nazareth&#8221; See SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS THE NAZARENE  at Luk 4:34. The fifth century uncial Greek manuscript Bezae (D) has Nazarene (cf. Luk 4:34; Luk 24:19).<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:38 &#8220;Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me&#8221; This had definite Messianic overtones related to 2 Samuel 7 (cf. Luk 1:27; Luk 1:32; Luk 2:4; Mat 9:27; Mat 12:23; Mat 15:22; Mat 20:30-31; Mat 21:9; Mat 21:15; Mat 22:42).<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:39 &#8220;telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more&#8221; This is an example of persistence mentioned in Luk 18:1-8.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:41 &#8220;Lord&#8221; The context implies that this is more than just a polite title. This blind man had called Jesus &#8220;Son of David.&#8221; He had heard about Jesus and he acted on what he had heard.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:42 &#8220;your faith has made you well&#8221; This phrase contains two key gospel terms:<\/p>\n<p>1. faith (pistis)  this man believed that Jesus could and would help him and he acted.<\/p>\n<p>2. well (sz)  this is the term usually translated &#8220;save.&#8221; In the OT it referred to physical deliverance, as it does here. It also denotes spiritual salvation, which is surely the implication of the context (cf. Luk 7:50; Luk 8:48; Luk 17:19).<\/p>\n<p>This encounter reveals the Messianic aspect of Jesus&#8217; ministry and the faith of this blind beggar. This blind man, who had nothing, received by faith, everything (physical and spiritual), while the rich, young ruler, who had everything, lost all that was ultimately important.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>And it came to pass, &amp;c. Not the same miracle as in Mat 20:29-34, or Mar 10:46-52. See App-152. <\/p>\n<p>as He was come nigh = in (Greek. en. App-104.) His drawing near. In Mar 10:46, &#8220;as He went out&#8221;. a certain, &amp;c. Not the same description as in Mat 20:30, or Mar 10:46. <\/p>\n<p>sat = was sitting (as a custom). <\/p>\n<p>by = beside. Greek. para. App-104. <\/p>\n<p>begging. So Bartimaeus (Mar 10:46); but not the two men (Mat 20:30). Greek prosaiteo. Occurs only here. Mar 10:46. Joh 9:8, but all the texts read epaiteo, as in Luk 16:3. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>35-43.] HEALING OF A BLIND MAN AT THE ENTRANCE INTO JERICHO. Mat 20:29-34. Mar 10:46-52, where see notes.<\/p>\n<p>I have on Matt. spoken of the discrepancy of his narrative from the two others. The supposition that they were two miracles is perfectly monstrous; and would at once destroy the credit of Matthew as a truthful narrator. If further proof of their identity were wanting to any one, we might find it in the fact that the following expressions are common to Mark and Luke. In Matt. of course they are in the plural, as he has two blind men.-  .   ( . . . .)-   (-)-    (-)- ()      .  &#8211;    (. . .)- ( Mark as usual)  &#8211;    .<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Luk 18:35-36. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.<\/p>\n<p>If he could not see, he could hear, and he could speak. Use all the ability that you have, and God will give you more.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:37-39. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace:<\/p>\n<p>They told him that he was spoiling the Preachers sermon. They had lost his last sentence; they could not catch the Saviours meaning, so they cried out to the blind man, Hold your tongue, sir.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:39-40. But he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood,<\/p>\n<p>I can see him stop. He had been walking on before, and talking as we went; but prayer can cause the Saviour to be spell-bound. Here Jesus stood,<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:40-41. And commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? <\/p>\n<p>Our Lord likes us to know what it is that we want. He would have us feel our need, that we may have a distinct perception of the blessing when it comes, and know just what it is.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:41. And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.<\/p>\n<p>He wanted nothing else; but oh, how badly he wanted that boon!<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:42. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight <\/p>\n<p>Notice the echo. The blind man said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. Jesus said, Receive thy sight. With a little turn in the expression, Christs answer is the echo of our prayer.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:42. Thy faith hath saved thee.<\/p>\n<p>No, surely it was Christ who saved him. Yes, but Christ delights to put his crown on faiths head, for faith always puts the crown back on Christs head: Thy faith hath saved thee.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:43. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him,<\/p>\n<p>What should we do when our eyes are opened by Christ but follow him? The moment that we can see him, we should begin to follow him.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:43. Glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.<\/p>\n<p>May we have cause to praise the Lord tonight for many blind eyes opened! <\/p>\n<p>This exposition consisted of readings from Isaiah 6; Mat 13:10-17; and Luk 18:35-43.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Spurgeon&#8217;s Verse Expositions of the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>[35.  , a certain blind man) concerning whose companion see the note on Mat 20:30.-V. g.]<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Luk 18:35-43<\/p>\n<p>31. THE BLIND MAN AT JERICHO<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:35-43<\/p>\n<p>35 And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho,- Matthew and Mark record this event. (Mat 20:29-34; Mar 10:46-52.) Mark gives the fullest record of this event, but Luke is the only one that records the effect of the miracle on the people. (Verse 43.) Matthew says: &#8220;And behold, two blind men sitting by the way side.&#8221; Hence, Matthew mentions two blind men, while Mark and Luke describe one; probably they describe the more conspicuous one. It seems that the one named Bartimaeus by Mark was the principal one and that he had a companion; hence, Matthew mentions Bartimaeus and his companion, while Mark and Luke mention only Bartimaeus. Matthew and Mark record the event as &#8220;they went out from Jericho,&#8221; while Luke records the incident as taking place when &#8220;he drew nigh unto Jericho.&#8221; The seeming discrepancy may be explained by the fact that they came to the blind man and his companion as they went into Jericho, and the healing occurred after they left the old Jericho and approached the new Jericho which Herod the Great had built at some distance away. History gives a record of the two Jerichos. Some have offered a possible explanation of this apparent discrepancy by the fact that the blind men made application for help when Jesus approached the city, but were not then healed until after they left the city. Compare Mat 15:23 ff. and Mar 8:22 f. &#8220;Jericho&#8221; means &#8220;the fragrant place,&#8221; and was a city of Benjamin (Jos 18:21), situated about eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem, and seven miles west of the Jordan; it was situated on the highway. It is also called &#8220;the city of palm trees.&#8221; (Deu 34:3.) Jericho has quite a lengthy history in the Old Testament. This blind man was a beggar probably his blindness accounted for his poverty.<\/p>\n<p>36, 37 and hearing a multitude going by,-While he could not see, yet he was blessed with the faculty of hearing. He heard the multitude going by, and made inquiry as to the cause of the tumult. Jericho at this time of the season, being on the highway, would be full of people who were going up to Jerusalem to attend the Feast of the Passover. The number would he greatly increased by those coming from Galilee by the way of Perea to avoid passing through Samaria. In answer to his inquiry as to the cause of the great confusion, he was told &#8220;that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.&#8221; Jesus of &#8220;Nazareth&#8221; had become famous now as a prophet. Nazareth was about midway between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea; it was about seventy miles from Jerusalem. Here Jesus lived with his parents for about twentyeight years; he early acquired the title of &#8220;Jesus of Nazareth&#8221; to distinguish him from others of the same name and to show his lowly life.<\/p>\n<p>38 And he cried, saying, Jesus,-Some of the multitude had told the blind man that &#8220;Jesus of Nazareth&#8221; passed by, but the blind man addressed him as &#8220;Jesus, thou son of David.&#8221; Jesus was a descendant of David; he was a successor to the throne of David. The angel of the Lord had previously applied this title to Joseph. (Mat 1:20.) This title was a common designation of the Messiah (Mat 22:42), and by the use of it this blind man acknowledged the Messiahship of Jesus. Jesus did not apply this title to himself. The titles, &#8220;the Son of man,&#8221; &#8220;the Son of God,&#8221; and others were of deeper significance and less liable to be perverted. He cried for the Messiah, or &#8220;son of David,&#8221; to have mercy on him.<\/p>\n<p>39 and they that went before rebuked him,-Those who accompanied Jesus and who led the procession did not wish to be disturbed and interrupted on the journey; hence, they rebuked the beggar and asked him to hold his peace. But, as Luke gives an account of only one, &#8220;he cried out the more a great deal.&#8221; The more they tried to quiet him the louder be-came his cry for mercy the rebuke of the multitude only aroused his earnestness, for he believed that Jesus would be willing to heal him. It was a trial of his faith, and he contin-ued to cry: &#8220;Thou son of David, have mercy on me.&#8221; The poor man understood the difficulty of the situation and the ability of Jesus to help him, hence his more earnest plea for help. He was determined to surmount every barrier and to get the attention of Jesus; he was not to be outdone, even by the multitude.<\/p>\n<p>40, 41 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought -Jesus &#8220;stood&#8221;; Matthew says that he &#8220;stood still,&#8221; as also does Mark; Jesus stopped the procession. This would arrest the attention of the multitude that was accompanying him all eyes would be fixed on the cause of the halting of the procession. Jesus then &#8220;commanded him to be brought unto him.&#8221; Jesus recognized the title by which he was called and stopped to hear further particulars of the request. Jesus commanded those who led the blind man to bring him to him, or commanded those who were in the way to move so that the blind man could approach him. Mark is more graphic in his description. He represents the multitude as calling to the blind man and saying: &#8220;Be of good cheer: rise, he calleth thee.&#8221; (Mar 10:49.) When the blind man heard this, he cast away his outer garment, &#8220;sprang up, and came to Jesus.&#8221; When he came near Jesus asked him: &#8220;What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?&#8221; The blind man immediately replied: &#8220;That I may receive my sight.&#8221; Luke being a physician records most of the salient points in a practical way; he shows the intense earnestness of the blind man, the warm compassion of Jesus, and his promptness in meeting the request.<\/p>\n<p>42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight:-It was a beautiful and impressive scene to see Jesus stop the dense crowd in order that the case of this beggar, smitten with unfortunate blindness, should be ministered to. With swift promptness Jesus said: &#8220;Receive thy sight.&#8221; He then added &#8220;Thy faith hath made thee whole.&#8221; The faith of the blind man was such that he cried the more earnestly for mercy, believing that Jesus had the power to heal and would exercise his power in healing him. His eyes were opened because of his strong faith.<\/p>\n<p>43 And immediately he received his sight-There was no delay; the promptness with which Jesus granted the request showed his interest in this unfortunate man. The multitude who winessed this could know just what was done; they knew that the man was blind, and now they knew that he had received his sight. The man not only received his sight, but he &#8220;followed him, glorifying God.&#8221; The multitude who at first rebuked the man now joined in his praising God for his great goodness and power in giving him his sight. At the very word of Jesus the man received his sight; he wished to be with Jesus, and mingle in the joyous procession as it moved on toward Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Chapter 26<\/p>\n<p>Jesus At A Stand<\/p>\n<p>We read in the tenth chapter of Joshua how that he by whom the walls of Jericho fell, commanded the sun to stand still in the midst of heaven. At the command of a man the sun stood still! We are told, There was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man (Jos 10:14). But here we have something even more remarkable than that. Here we see the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, at a stand. He was stopped dead in his tracks by the cry of a needy sinner for mercy. It is one thing to cause the sun to stand still; but we have before us in this passage a man who caused the God who made the sun to stand still!<\/p>\n<p>As he was coming near Jericho on his way to Jerusalem to redeem his people, our Lord Jesus heard a poor, blind beggar crying for mercy. At the sound of his cry, we are told, Jesus stood! What a wonderful, amazing picture we have before us! Here is the omnipotent God stopped in his tracks, held fast by the cry of a needy soul for his mercy.<\/p>\n<p>He was on his way to Jerusalem to accomplish the redemption of his people, to fulfil the will of God. Nothing could stop him. Nothing could cause him to pause. Nothing could detour him from his work. But one, solitary, helpless soul, one blind beggar crying for mercy, looking to him for help, believing him, crying to him, stopped the Son of God in his tracks Jesus stood!<\/p>\n<p>Surely, the place whereon we stand is holy ground. Let us put off our shoes of idle curiosity and theological speculation, and turn aside for a little while from such trifles to see this great sight. Surely, there are lessons to be learned here that are of more value than gold.<\/p>\n<p>The one thing that shines forth from this event in our Saviours earthly life and ministry is this: The Son of God will never ignore the cry or refuse the faith of a sinner seeking mercy, because he delighteth in mercy!<\/p>\n<p>Witnesses Believed<\/p>\n<p>Here is a man who believed the testimony he heard from other men about the Lord Jesus in a day when few did. He believed the report of men who told what they knew about the Son of God. There were great multitudes who followed the Lord Jesus as he walked along and taught the people. Some followed him for loaves and some for love. Some out of curiosity and some out of conviction. Some for greed and some for grace. But there were few, very few who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Many, many saw his miracles yet believed him not. But here is a blind man, a man who never saw any of our Lords miracles. He knew the Master only by hearsay, by the testimony of others. Yet, he believed him, and believed him the first time he heard about him!<\/p>\n<p>This man simply heard other men and women talking about the Saviour (Luk 18:35-38). Blessed gossip is that gossip that is all about Christ! I wonder what this man heard the crowd saying. Perhaps he heard how the Master had healed others, even as many as had need of healing (Luk 9:11). Without question, he had heard who this man is. He called the Saviour Jesus, the Son of David, and owned him as his Lord. He acknowledged that Christ is Lord, the One whose prerogative alone it is to give mercy (Luk 18:41). He heard about the Saviours many mighty miracles of mercy. And he heard that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. He knew that the Son of God might never pass his way again!<\/p>\n<p>His simple, confident, immediate faith in Christ causes me to blush. I have books of apologetics, an excellent library of theological works, and numerous good biographies of faithful men, and have read them for over forty years. Yet, how little I know of this childlike confidence and faith in Christ! Even among true believers, simple, confident, unhesitating faith is seldom found where we most reasonably expect it (Luk 18:34). The humble, broken, contrite, and needy soul believes God and walks in peace. The learned, well-read theologian is often harassed with doubts and questions.<\/p>\n<p>Means Used<\/p>\n<p>If we hope for mercy, we must avail ourselves of every means of good to our souls. I cannot adequately stress the importance of diligence in using the means God gives us. We are told there was a certain blind man who sat by the wayside begging. He sought the place where his pitiful condition was most likely to attract attention. He did not sit lazily at home, and wait for relief to come to him. He placed himself by the road-side, so that any who could and would help him might see him and give him help. There, sitting by the wayside, he heard that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Immediately, he began to cry to the Saviour for mercy. Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me! Had he not been where he was, when he was, as the Lord Jesus passed that way, he would not have obtained what he needed.<\/p>\n<p>If you care for your soul, if you desire Gods salvation, remember this blind man. Diligently use the means of grace God has afforded you. Make it your business to be found in the place where the Lord Jesus has promised to be present, in his house, where his saints gather to worship him and hear his Word (Mat 18:20). Make it your business to sit by the wayside, where the Word of God is read and the gospel of Christ is preached, where Gods people assemble together in public worship.<\/p>\n<p>If you expect God to speak to you and give you his grace, if you expect to hear from heaven while you despise the means he has set before you, because you are too lazy to attend his worship, you are crassly presumptuous.<\/p>\n<p>How many there are who get excited about their religious chat rooms on the internet, or the latest bundle of tapes in the mail, or the preacher on television, and use these things as a substitute for worshipping God in his house, supporting a faithful assembly, and serving the cause of Christ. Such activity may soothe the conscience, but it soothes by searing. I know many who run off to every sovereign grace Bible conference possible, and attend the preaching of a visiting preacher whom they highly esteem, who refuse to hear the pastor God has set in their community and devote themselves to the cause of Christ through the gospel church where they are. All such religious hypocrites are like the Pharisee in Luk 18:11. Your religion is nothing but a deceitful game that will soon carry you to hell.<\/p>\n<p>It is true that God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. But it is no less true that he ordinarily has mercy on those who use the means he puts before them. I know very few people who were converted outside the house of God. It is true that Christ is found of those who seek him not. But it is also true that he is always found of those who truly seek him (Jer 29:11-14). Those who despise the worship of God and the preaching of the gospel, the fellowship of Gods saints and the praises of his people in Zion despise their own mercies and dig graves for their own souls.<\/p>\n<p>This blind man was in the place where help was most likely to be obtained. I know that God is sovereign. I know that salvation is of the Lord. I know that every chosen, redeemed sinner shall be saved. I am fully aware of those facts and rejoice in them. Yet, I know that every man is responsible for his own soul. I know that we are responsible to use the means of grace God gives us. When this poor, blind man heard that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by, he was found sitting by the wayside.<\/p>\n<p>What wisdom he displayed! He took up a hopeful position by the wayside. There he would be likely to hear any good news that may be spread. There he was most likely to meet with and be seen by the compassionate. Though he was blind, he was not deaf. And he used what he had for good.<\/p>\n<p>Do not forsake the house of God (Heb 10:25). Do not forsake the reading of holy scripture (2Ti 3:15). Do not forsake private prayer. These are Gods ordained means of grace. To despise them is to despise his grace. To neglect them is to neglect his grace. To use them is to be in the path of mercy (Mat 18:20).<\/p>\n<p>Blessed Violence<\/p>\n<p>We also have before us a picture of the blessed violence of faith. We learn once more, by the example of this poor blind man, that as the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, so the violent take it by force (Mat 11:12).<\/p>\n<p>We are told that when this blind man heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he cried, saying, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. We are also told that when some rebuked him and told him to hold his peace, he would not be silenced. But he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. He had a felt, desperate need. His need taught him how to pray, and gave him words to speak, and pressed upon him the urgent necessity for help. He was not about to be stopped by the rebukes of people who knew nothing of his misery. Let them think and say what they might, he was determined to have mercy, if the Lord Jesus was willing to give it. His sense of wretchedness made him go on crying. And his importunity was rewarded with grace bestowed. He found what he sought. That very day he received his sight.<\/p>\n<p>Are you a poor, blind sinner, without faith, without Christ, without life? Your need is far greater than this mans. The blindness of the heart is far more grievous than the blindness of the eye. Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of David, is still passing by (Rom 10:6-13). Cry to him for mercy. Let nothing stop your crying.<\/p>\n<p>Why will you die, when life is to be had freely? Why will you perish under the wrath of God, when he delighteth in mercy? Why will you rush headlong to hell, when the Door is open in heaven, and God himself bids you, Come up hither? Why will you go on carrying the guilt of sin, when the Lord God is a God who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin? Will you die for thirst, with the Water of Life before you? Will you perish for want of bread, with the Bread of Life on the table? Will you be forever lost? If so, there is but one reason. The Son of God declares it to be this: Ye will not come to me that ye might have life! Oh, may God be pleased to save you from yourself, for Christs sake!<\/p>\n<p>Christs Compassion<\/p>\n<p>We see here how compassionate our all-glorious, ever-gracious Christ, the Son of God, is to needy sinners! His compassion is seen in what he did for the man. First, he caused the man to have a need that would put him in this place when he passed by. His blindness was a blessed blindness. It was blindness that worked by Divine arrangement for his eternal salvation. Second, the Saviour sent someone to tell this man about him. Third, he passed by where the man was.<\/p>\n<p>And Jesus stood (Luk 18:40-42). He came to where the man was, heard his cry, and stood as if to say, I will wait here to be gracious. I will not make another move until I have bestowed mercy upon this needy soul. He called the blind man. The Saviour commanded that he be brought to him (Psa 110:3). He spoke grace to him, effectual, omnipotent, healing grace! Immediately, he received his sight.<\/p>\n<p>He was honoured by this mans faith, and he honoured faith with his salvation. Thy faith hath saved thee! Then he went up to Jerusalem and redeemed him.<\/p>\n<p>We are told that when the blind man continued crying for mercy, our Lord stood and commanded him to be brought unto him. He was going up to Jerusalem to die, and had weighty matters on his mind; but he found time to stop to speak kindly to this poor sufferer. Then Jesus asked the man, What do you want me to do for you? Lord, he pleaded, I want to see! At once, we are told, Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee. His faith may have been weak and mixed with much ignorance. But it had made him cry to the Lord Jesus, and go on crying in spite of rebukes, until the Master answered him. Christ came to him on purpose with grace. He came to Christ on purpose with faith. And the Lord Jesus did not cast him out. He gave him the desire of his heart. Immediately he received sight.<\/p>\n<p>Passages like these are intended specifically to encourage needy sinners to come to Christ. You may be sensible of much infirmity. Your faith may be very feeble. Your sins may be very many and very great. Your prayers may be very poor and stammering. Your motives may be far short of perfection. But if you come to Christ with your sins, if you are willing to forsake all other confidence, and commit your soul to the Christ of God, his word to you is this. All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out (Joh 6:37). I want you to see and be assured of this fact. Faith always gets what it seeks. Mercy! And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.<\/p>\n<p>Loving Obedience<\/p>\n<p>Now, let me show you one more thing. Read Luk 18:43, and learn this. Nothing inspires obedience to Christ like gratitude and love. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.<\/p>\n<p>When the blind man was given his sight, when he was saved by Christ, he followed the Lord Jesus, glorifying God. His gratitude was deeply felt. His love was spontaneous. And his following of Christ was spontaneous. Pharisees cavilled at our Lord. Sadducees sneered at his doctrine. Brilliant lawyers derided him as a base antinomian. None of that mattered to this new born soul. He had the witness in himself that Christ is a Master worth following. He could say, I was blind, and now I see (Joh 9:25). He was a poor, blind, lost, dead sinner when he left home that morning. He went home saved, rich, full of light, a child of God. Nothing else mattered.<\/p>\n<p>Grace experienced is the source of true obedience. Gratitude is the source of godliness. Love is the rule of devotion. No one will ever take up the cross and confess Christ, not really, who does not feel in the depths of his soul that he is head over heels a debtor to his magnificent, matchless mercy and sovereign, saving grace. We love him who first loved us and washed away our sins with his own precious blood. Christ has redeemed me. He has healed me. He has saved me. I belong to him. What could be more reasonable?<\/p>\n<p>May God be pleased, for Christs sake, to give us grace that we may like this man follow the Lord Jesus, glorifying God all the days of our lives.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Discovering Christ In Selected Books of the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>blind man <\/p>\n<p>(See Scofield &#8220;Mat 20:30&#8221;). <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>as: Mat 20:29, Mat 20:30, Mar 10:46, Mar 10:47 <\/p>\n<p>begging: Luk 16:20, Luk 16:21, 1Sa 2:8, Joh 9:8, Act 3:2 <\/p>\n<p>Reciprocal: Mar 2:1 &#8211; and it Luk 7:22 &#8211; how<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS<\/p>\n<p>A certain blind man.<\/p>\n<p>Luk 18:35<\/p>\n<p>A great many do not see the spiritual side of life at all. What is the cause of this spiritual blindness? We may find it in many things.<\/p>\n<p>I. Blindness from materialism.First of all let us look at materialism. The reason is simple enough. If you follow one thing only you are almost sure to destroy your power of seeing other things. The person who thinks only of worldly things, only of being rich, is, as our Lord says, blind. May God save us from the blindness of materialism!<\/p>\n<p>II. Blindness from prejudice.And then, again, prejudice has the same effect. Prejudice destroys spiritual sight. How well we know that the Christian faith is in a great many quarters hated! Is that the result of reason? It is because people are blindly prejudiced against the whole thing. How can we run the way of Gods commandments if we are blinded by prejudice?<\/p>\n<p>III. Blindness from political animosity.Thirdly, we have the question of political and religious animosity. In the campaign against Church schools there were many people who told us, with regard to the religious teaching in elementary schools, that there must be no religious tests for teachers. That is a good example of political animosity bringing about spiritual blindness.<\/p>\n<p>IV. The duty of the Church.What follows? Surely that it is the duty of the Church to break down materialism and prejudice. How is that to be done? Our Lord had to encounter the tremendous Messianic prejudice of those who believed in one kind of Messiah and no other. Did He try to break it down by abusing it? No, but by patience and love. Surely that should be our method in the treatment of heresies. And we must kill prejudice in ourselves as well as try to break it down in others. Spiritual blindness is a moral fault. Spiritual sight is not the privilege of the intellectual, for our Lord said, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.<\/p>\n<p>Rev. G. C. Rawlinson.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>5<\/p>\n<p>Being blind, this man was depending upon alms for a living.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>THE miracle described in these verses is rich in instruction. It was one of the great works which witnessed that Christ was sent of the Father. (Joh 5:36.) But this is not all. It contains also some lively patterns of spiritual things which deserve attentive study.<\/p>\n<p>We see, for one thing, in this passage, the importance of diligence in the use of means. We are told of &#8220;a certain blind man who sat by the wayside begging.&#8221; He sought the place where his pitiful condition was most likely to attract notice. He did not sit lazily at home, and wait for relief to come to him. He placed himself by the road-side, in order that travelers might see him and give him help. The story before us shows the wisdom of his conduct. Sitting by the wayside, he heard that &#8220;Jesus was passing by.&#8221; Hearing of Jesus he cried for mercy, and was restored to sight. Let us mark this well! If the blind man had not sat by the way-side that day, he might have remained blind to the hour of his death.<\/p>\n<p>He that desires salvation should remember the example of this blind man. He must attend diligently on every means of grace. He must be found regularly in those places where the Lord Jesus is specially present. He must sit by the way-side, wherever the word is read and the Gospel preached, and God&#8217;s people assemble together. To expect grace to be put into our hearts, if we sit idling at home on Sundays, and go to no place of worship, is presumption and not faith. It is true that &#8220;God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy;&#8221;-but it is no less true that He ordinarily has mercy on those who use means. It is true that Christ is sometimes &#8220;found of those who seek Him not;&#8221;-but it is also true that He is always found of those who really seek Him. The Sabbath breaker, the Bible-neglecter, and the prayerless man are forsaking their own mercies, and digging graves for their own souls. They are not sitting &#8220;by the wayside.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>We see, for another thing, in this passage, an example of our duty in the matter of prayer. We are told that when this blind man heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he &#8220;cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.&#8221; We are told further, that when some rebuked him and bade him hold his peace, he would not be silenced. &#8220;He only cried so much the more.&#8221; He felt his need, and found words to tell his story. He was not to be stopped by the rebukes of people who knew nothing of the misery of blindness. His sense of wretchedness made him go on crying. And his importunity was amply rewarded. He found what he sought. That very day he received sight.<\/p>\n<p>What the blind man did on behalf of his bodily ailment, it is surely our bounden duty to do on behalf of our souls. Our need is far greater than his. The disease of sin is far more grievous than the want of sight. The tongue that can find words to describe the necessities of the body, can surely find words to explain the wants of the soul. Let us begin praying if we never prayed yet. Let us pray more heartily and earnestly, if we have prayed in times past. Jesus, the Son of David, is still passing by, and not far from every one of us. Let us cry to Him for mercy, and allow nothing to stop our crying. Let us not go down to the pit speechless and dumb, without so much as a cry for help. None will be so excuseless at the last day as baptized men and women who never tried to pray.<\/p>\n<p>We see, for another thing, in this passage, an encouraging instance of Christ&#8217;s kindness and compassion. We are told that when the blind man continued crying for mercy, our Lord &#8220;stood and commanded him to be brought unto Him.&#8221; He was going up to Jerusalem to die, and had weighty matters on His mind, but He found time to stop to speak kindly to this poor sufferer. He asked him what he would have done to him? &#8220;Lord,&#8221; was the eager reply, &#8220;that I may receive my sight.&#8221; At once we are told, &#8220;Jesus said unto him, receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee.&#8221; That faith perhaps was weak, and mixed with much imperfection. But it had made the man cry to Jesus, and go on crying in spite of rebukes. So coming with faith, our blessed Lord did not cast him out. The desire of his heart was granted, and &#8220;immediately he received sight.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Passages like these in the Gospels are intended for the special comfort of all who feel their sins and come to Christ for peace. Such persons may be sensible of much infirmity in all their approaches to the Son of God. Their faith may be very feeble,-their sins many and great,-their prayers very poor and stammering,-their motives far short of perfection. But after all, do they really come to Christ with their sins? Are they really willing to forsake all other confidence, and commit their souls to Christ&#8217;s hands? If this be so, they may hope and not be afraid. That same Jesus still lives who heard the blind man&#8217;s cry, and granted his request. He will never go back from His own words,-&#8220;Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.&#8221; (Joh 6:37.)<\/p>\n<p>We see, lastly, in this passage, a striking example of the conduct which becomes one who has received mercy from Christ. We are told that when the blind man was restored to sight, &#8220;he followed Jesus, glorifying God.&#8221; He felt deeply grateful. He resolved to show his gratitude by becoming one of our Lord&#8217;s followers and disciples. Pharisees might cavil at our Lord. Sadducees might sneer at His teaching. It mattered nothing to this new disciple. He had the witness in himself that Christ was a Master worth following. He could say, &#8220;I was blind, and now I see.&#8221; (Joh 9:25.)<\/p>\n<p>Grateful love is the true spring of real obedience to Christ! Men will never take up the cross and confess Jesus before the world, and live to Him, until they feel that they are indebted to Him for pardon, peace, and hope. The ungodly are what they are, because they have no sense of sin, and no consciousness of being under any special obligation to Christ. The godly are what they are, because they love Him who first loved them, and washed them from sin in His own blood. Christ has healed them, and therefore they follow Christ.<\/p>\n<p>Let us leave the passage with solemn self-inquiry. If we would know whether we have any part or lot in Christ, let us look at our lives. Whom do we follow? What are the great ends and objects for which we live? The man who has a real hope in Jesus, may always be known by the general bias of his life.<\/p>\n<p>==================<\/p>\n<p>Notes- <\/p>\n<p>     v35.-[As He was come nigh, &amp;c.] The miracle described in this passage is recorded by all the three first Gospel writers, but with some variations. Matthew speaks of two blind men. Mark and Luke speak of only one. Matthew and Mark say that the miracle was wrought when our Lord was &#8220;departing&#8221; from Jericho. Luke says thit it happened, &#8220;as He was come nigh.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>With regard to the variation in the reports of the number of blind men, there is little difficulty. There were doubtless two blind persons healed. Mark and Luke, however, only report one case, which was probably that of the man best known at Jericho. Mark tells us that his name was Bartimus.-Precisely the same variation may be observed in the accounts given by the three Gospel writers of the casting out of the devils in the country of the Gadarenes. Matthew says that two men were cured. Mark and Luke say that there was one. That one was evidently the most remarkable case, because he was the one who asked to be allowed to follow our Lord.-The same remark applies to both miracles. Two persons were healed, as Matthew says. One case only was reported by Mark and Luke, because it was for some reason the more noticeable of the two. In either miracle, to suppose that only one person was healed, because Mark and Luke were inspired to single out and report only one cure, is surely unreasonable and unfair. There was another cure, but for some wise reason, Mark and Luke did not report it.<\/p>\n<p>The other variation is undoubtedly more difficult of explanation. Why Matthew and Mark should say that the miracle before us was wrought when our Lord was &#8220;going out of&#8221; Jericho, and Luke, that it was wrought as He &#8220;came near&#8221; to Jericho, is a hard knot to untie. At any rate the reconciliation of the apparent discrepancy between the two accounts, has occasioned much difference of opinion among commentators.<\/p>\n<p>(1.) Some think that there were two cases of blind men cured, and that they were cured at two different times,-one as our Lord entered into Jericho, the other as our Lord departed from Jericho,- and that Luke reported one case, and Matthew and Mark another. This is the opinion of Augustine, Chemnitius, Barradius, Stella, Lightfoot, Gill, and Greswell.-Euthymius goes so far as to think that there were four altogether healed, and that the two in Matthew, the one in Mark, and the one in Luke, were four distinct cases!<\/p>\n<p>(2.) Some think that the words of Luke, &#8220;as He was come nigh,&#8221; only mean, &#8220;as He was in the neighborhood of Jericho,&#8221; and that they do not necessarily mean, &#8220;as He was approaching, or coming to.&#8221; This is the opinion of Grotius, Doddridge, and Scott.<\/p>\n<p>(3.) Some think that the blind man began crying to our Lord as He was approaching Jericho, but was not healed until our Lord was leaving Jericho, and was accompanied by the second bllind man at the time of his healing, though he was alone when he first cried. This is the opinion of Poole, Paraus, Bengel, Jansenius, Maldonatus, and Wordsworth.<\/p>\n<p>(4.) Macknight thinks that Jericho consisted of two quarters, au old and a new town, situated at a little distance one from the other, and that the blind men were sitting on the road between the two towns. Our Lord might then be truly reported as &#8220;going out&#8221; of one town, and &#8220;coming nigh&#8221; to another.<\/p>\n<p>(5.) Markland thinks that &#8220;as He came nigh,&#8221; means, &#8220;as He came nigh to Jerusalem&#8221; and Luke only means that Jesus on His journey to Jerusalem was somewhere near or about Jericho, without determining whether he was leaving or entering.<\/p>\n<p>I must frankly confess that none of the above explanations is altogether and completely satisfactory. The third appears to me by far the most probable. The other four seem to be either contradictory to grammar or to common sense.-I have no doubt whatever that the apparent discrepancy admits of thorough explanation, and is no fair argument against the plenary inspiration of Scripture. Some difficulties of this nature we might reasonably expect to find in such a book as the Bible. If we learn nothing else from them, they may teach us humility.<\/p>\n<p>Every one must allow that it is perfectly possible for two independent reporters of an event to differ slightly in their account of its details, without the slightest intention to deceive, and without any departure from truth. Occasional differences on slight points of detail are strong evidences that the Gospel writers are independent witnesses, and that in writing the Gospels they did not copy one another, but were independently guided by the Holy Ghost.<\/p>\n<p>     v36.-[What it meant.] This would be rendered more literally, &#8220;What this thing might be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>     v38.-[Thou Son of David.] This expression is remarkable, because the preceding verse informs us distinctly that the blind man was told that &#8220;Jesus of Nazareth&#8221; was passing by. To call our Lord the &#8220;Son of David&#8221; was a sign of faith, and showed that the blind man had some idea that Jesus was the Messiah. When the Pharisees were asked whose son Christ would be, they replied at once, &#8220;The Son of David.&#8221; (Mat 22:42.) The fame of our Lord as a mighty worker of miracles, had probably reached the blind man&#8217;s ears, and made him believe that He who could do such great miracles, must be one sent from God.<\/p>\n<p>     v41.-[Receive thy sight.] Both here and in the two following verses, the Greek word so rendered means literally, &#8220;look up,&#8221; or &#8220;see again.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>     v42.-[Thy faith.] This expression seems to indicate very plainly, that the blind man did not call our Lord, &#8220;Son of David,&#8221; as a mere appellation of dignity, and that he had some vague but real belief that our Lord was the Messiah.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Ryle&#8217;s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Luk 18:35-43. THE HEALING OF THE BLIND BEGGAR NEAR JERICHO. See on Mat 20:29-34; Mar 10:46-52; especially the latter passage, with which this account closely agrees. The main difference is found in Luk 18:35 : As he drew near to Jericho. Mark: as He went out of Jericho. This miracle can scarcely have occurred after the events recorded in chap. Luk 9:1-27, especially as Luk 18:28 is so definite as regards time. We accept the explanation, that the miracle took place during an excursion from Jericho to some place in the neighborhood (probably as they went out); that on the return to Jericho the events of the next chapter occurred. At Jericho our Lord would meet many of His Galilean followers on the way to the Passover. Hence a brief stay in that city is the more probable.<\/p>\n<p>They that went before (Luk 18:39). Matthew: the multitude; Mark: many. Lukes expression conveys more distinctly the impression that our Lords followers were gathering about Him in a manner almost festal.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Subdivision 1. (Luk 18:35-43; Luk 19:1-48; Luk 20:1-47; Luk 21:1-36.)<\/p>\n<p>The King.<\/p>\n<p>The subdivisions are similar to those in Mark: the first giving the first coming of the King, with the fatal hindrances to restoration for Israel at that time, when for a moment it might seem to be at hand; going on; however, to His second coming when that restoration is accomplished. The general character of what is here resembles Mark rather than Matthew, as indeed we might expect; those parts also in which Mark cleaves to Matthew being often omitted by Luke. It is the King, however, necessarily, that is presented here in all the three.<\/p>\n<p>1. (1) That which takes place at Jericho is more fully given by Luke than elsewhere. The story of the blind man, however, is almost precisely as in Mark, Luke showing its character in the closing ascription of glory to God, both on the part of the blind man; and the people who witness it. The beginning of God&#8217;s work in a soul, as it was in nature, is the bringing in of light. Israel was now but the blind, led of the blind; and with the light in their midst, the &#8220;God of this world darkened the minds of those that believed not, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>We have seen in the blind men here (for Matthew shows us two of them) a picture of that remnant in the last days who shall have their eyes opened to see and follow Jesus as their King. Crying after Him, the multitude in that day will indeed &#8220;rebuke them that they should hold their peace,&#8221; but they will only cry the louder to Him, who, finding them in the city of the curse, will presently lead them up to the city of blessing, and of His rest for ever.<\/p>\n<p>(2) The story of Zacchaeus follows and is still connected with Jericho and the Lord&#8217;s passing through it. The name means &#8220;pure&#8221; or &#8220;clean,&#8221; as his words to the Lord show him to be. We are to take them surely, not as the profession of what he meant to do, but as the answer to the murmured charge against him, and which implicated Christ also, that He was gone to lodge with a man that was a sinner. &#8220;A sinner!&#8221; he would say, &#8220;behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any one by false accusation,&#8221; -a thing which might be done without design -&#8220;I restore him fourfold.&#8221; He is speaking of what he does habitually, not of what he has made a new resolve to do.<\/p>\n<p>And yet Zacchaeus is no mere Pharisee under his publican&#8217;s garb. There may well be the Pharisee in him, for it is in our fallen nature; and the Lord&#8217;s words, gentle and gracious as they are, are well adapted to meet such a condition; even while to one characterized by it He could not have used them. For &#8220;a son of Abraham&#8221; meant with Him assuredly a child of faith (comp. Joh 8:39); and that day had salvation come to that house, with the Object of faith received within it. Thus, not from that &#8220;cleanness&#8221; of life that he could claim came salvation to him, nor even the assurance of it, but from Him whom he had sought, who had been seeking Him first: &#8220;for the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.&#8221; Such, then, was Zacchaeus.<\/p>\n<p>(3) The parable that follows is plainly stated to be supplemental to the Lord&#8217;s words just spoken; and in correction of the thought that the Kingdom of God was going to be manifested immediately. Nay, He was as a man going into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom and to return to take possession of it. Time would be given in this way for His servants to prove their faithfulness to Him; and while salvation was by faith, and for the lost, such faithfulness would be recognized and rewarded when the Kingdom would be set up. His ten servants have (like the ten virgins) the number of responsibility, and are not necessarily servants in heart, as we see directly. His citizens moreover are in open rebellion against him, and send after him a positive refusal of subjection to him.<\/p>\n<p>All this, of which then His disciples needed to be warned, is, of course, for us as plain as possible in application. The emphasis, however, is laid upon the different result in the case of those who are all entrusted with the same amount, to trade with on his behalf. Here the parable of the pounds differs from that of the talents in Matthew, which comes after it and is a development of it. &#8220;Matthew presents the sovereignty and wisdom of the giver, who varies his gifts according to the aptitude of his servants; in Luke it is more particularly the responsibility of the servants, who each receive the same sum, and the one gains by it, in his master&#8217;s interest, more than the other. Accordingly it is not said, as in Matthew, &#8216;Enter into the joy of your Lord,&#8217; the same thing to all, and the more excellent thing; but to the one it is authority over ten cities that is given; to the other over five: that is to say, a share in the kingdom according to their labor. The servant does not lose that which he has gained, although it was for his master. He enjoys it. Not so with the servant who made no use of his pound; that which had been committed to him is given to the one who had gained ten. That which we gain spiritually here, in spiritual intelligence and the knowledge of God in power, is not lost in the other world. On the contrary we receive more, and the glory of the inheritance is given us in proportion to our work. But all is grace&#8221; (Synopsis).<\/p>\n<p>It is the apprehension of grace also that enables for work, as we see by the opposite of this in the unfruitful servant, who is indeed to be judged out of his own mouth. His words, however, are but an excuse for slothfulness. &#8220;Instead of laboring in the sweat of his brow for the interests of his lord, he had hidden the entrusted money in the now entirely superfluous soudarion: literally &#8216;sweat-cloth'&#8221; (Van Oosterzee.)<\/p>\n<p>Upon the enemies of the King judgment comes to the uttermost.<\/p>\n<p>2. (1) With these forewarnings of the character of His Kingdom, and of how His claim to it would be treated at this time, Jesus ascends to Jerusalem, by the way of the &#8220;house of unripe figs&#8221; (Bethphage) and of the &#8220;house of humiliation&#8221; or &#8220;of sorrow&#8221; (Bethany). Then; as in the previous Gospels, He fulfils -or presents Himself for the fulfilment of Zechariah&#8217;s prophecy, riding into the city on an ass&#8217;s colt. But it is noticeable how much higher is the character, beyond the former Gospels, in which He is presented here. As Son of David He is not even spoken of, but as the King that cometh in the name of the Lord -Jehovah; and with &#8220;peace in heaven; and glory in the highest.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This is a strain, indeed, beyond the intelligence of the disciples; as all here is manifestly under the control of God, and pointing onward to a future time. The King that comes in Jehovah&#8217;s Name brings not only peace on earth, but peace in heaven. We have heard the Lord announce already the casting down of Satan out of it (see Luk 10:18), and have seen to what period this refers. It is but, however, the effect of the Cross, as that which has overcome principalities and powers, and led captivity captive. Back of man&#8217;s sin; the Cross reaches to the incoming of sin at the beginning, glorifying God about it all. We little realize the need of this, where it is no longer a question of the salvation of sinners, but of the purification of heavenly things (Heb 9:23), the reconciliation of things in the heavens (Col 1:20). Scripture speaks plainly of it, however, both in type and open speech of the New Testament. Nor will God deal with sin even in definitive judgment until He has glorified Himself in view of it. &#8220;Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come:&#8221; such is the divine order. That &#8220;hallowed be Thy Name&#8221; is in effect &#8220;peace in heaven,&#8221; as &#8220;glory in the highest.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Pharisees dare to appeal to the Lord Himself to deny Himself, and rebuke the disciples. He tells them that, if they held their peace, the very stones would cry out. As a result of His rejection this has indeed taken place, and the stones of the plowed up city bear witness for Him today.<\/p>\n<p>(2) This was the alternative, which His lament over the city brings fully out: it was the Saviour or the destroyer, Christ or the dreaded and hated Roman. In fact, they had already made their choice, and could only be left to it. But the Judge weeps as He gives sentence. If Jerusalem had known; though but at the last moment, the things belonging to her peace! but now they were hidden from her. She and her children within her would be destroyed -not a stone left upon a stone -because she knew not the time of her visitation.<\/p>\n<p>(3) But this that He foresaw does not hinder the completion of His testimony among them. He purges the temple: for Him, until. He leaves it desolate, His Father&#8217;s house, and the place of Jehovah&#8217;s throne on earth, though now long vacant. It was the symbol of His life-long thought, the zeal which was to be as the flame of sacrifice consuming Himself, as the psalmist had long since expressed it (Psa 69:9). Luke mentions, however, the casting out of the traffickers very briefly, dwelling more upon His teaching in the house that He had purged, and how the people hung upon His words. What seed was sown, to spring up at an after-time, we cannot tell; but we know that He was emphatically the Sower, and that upon all seed sown the sign of the cross must pass, that it may be fruitful (Joh 12:24).<\/p>\n<p>3. (1) The conflict with the leaders is now upon Him. They begin it with the challenge of His authority, which He answers by one on His side to settle that of John: as to which, to their confusion; but even then insincerely, they have to own incompetence. He refuses then to show them His: for of what use would it be with those who had just acknowledged themselves to be no proper judges? and when the things about which they asked Him bore the authority for doing them upon their lace?<\/p>\n<p>(2) The parable of the two sons is here omitted, as in Mark; and Luke goes on to that of the Vineyard and its Heir, and the rejection of the messengers crowned by the murder of the last, the only son of the owner. He searches out their hearts, foretells their triumph and the ruin it would bring upon themselves, shows them from their own scriptures, that the Stone to be made by God the Head of the corner was first of all to be rejected by the builders themselves. Here they could not help recognizing that He spoke of them, while their blind passion urged them on to the fulfilment of His words.<\/p>\n<p>4. (1) They go on testing Him, as in the previous Gospels. First, by the question of tribute to Caesar, in which His answer goes to the root of the matter, and shows the way of deliverance also, if only they would take it. They had borrowed Caesar&#8217;s money; let them pay it him back: a just debt could not be met by rebellion and repudiation. On the other hand, there was a way out: let them render to God His due, and He would come in for them. Thus the whole question is settled in a few simple words, and so that they cannot even say a word against it.<\/p>\n<p>(2) The Sadducees take the place of the beaten Pharisees, and raise their question of relationship in the resurrection state, illustrating their difficulty by the case of a woman who had married seven brethren. The Lord answers, that marriage belongs to this world or age, while in the age to come and the resurrection from the dead those counted worthy to obtain these will be as the angels in this respect. The Lord&#8217;s words announce a resurrection from among the dead comprising the sons of God alone: they are necessarily sons of God if they are sons of the resurrection; the one involves the other. The obtaining the &#8220;age to come&#8221; (the millennium) goes with this; which is exactly what is said in Rev 20:5, that the rest of the dead -the wicked -do not rise again till the thousand years are finished. Among the ranks of these blessed ones there is no death either: and so no need of marriage to fill up the gaps caused by death. He adds that even the dead are yet alive to God; and so destroys the materialistic idea of death held by the Sadducees, the basis of their denial of resurrection. And finally, He proves this last out of the Scriptures they acknowledged -the books of Moses. They acknowledged, but did not know them.<\/p>\n<p>(3) They are silenced, -Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees, all the leaders of the unhappy people, -and He turns -upon them with a question which reaches the bottom of the whole controversy, the question of His Person; of the true glory of Christ. Was He merely David&#8217;s Son? Why then did David, speaking by the Spirit, call Him &#8220;Lord,&#8221; saying, &#8220;The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet&#8221;? How could He be his Son and yet his Lord? Clearly no answer could be made which did not admit His higher nature.<\/p>\n<p>(4) Then He denounces the scribes as those whose ways made known too certainly what they were. Self-importance, rapacity, hypocrisy, marked them. More abundant judgment would be their lot at last. Let us observe that He first meets and refutes their doctrines before He brings their ways into question. Scripture alone could settle as to the truth; and His appeal is there to the Word and nothing else. Truth might have evil professors of it, without annulling its right as truth; but now it was in place to show how sadly their errors were mated with their characters. The common conscience of men was sufficient to condemn them.<\/p>\n<p>(5) But He does not close with this, for judgment is work in which He has no delight. If He be wearied with the evil, He refreshes Himself with the good, and among the rich who are casting much into the treasure, His eye discerns a single poor widow who casts in a contribution hardly to be reckoned amid their costly gifts. But He reckons differently from men at large, and not so much by what is put in as by what is kept back. She has kept nothing back. For Him this poor widow has cast in more than all. For these have given out of their abundance, leaving much still behind; but site has cast in all the living that she had.<\/p>\n<p>Such sights, then, were still to be seen in Israel. Alas, they were few, as the very terms of the commendation show. For all the gifts of the rich were not equal to these &#8220;two mites, which make a farthing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>5. The Lord&#8217;s prophecy from the Mount of Olives has a conspicuous place in each of the three synoptic Gospels: in John only it is not found. Luke&#8217;s version of it, however, though approaching that of Mark most nearly, differs in a very striking way from both; and all the more because of its resemblances to them.<\/p>\n<p>Matthew gives the fullest account, showing the coming of the Lord in its relation to the Jews, the Church, and the Gentiles. Mark is briefer, and omits altogether the last two; but like Matthew he speaks of the abomination of desolation and the tribulation unequalled in any other time. This last, through the mercy of God very limited in duration; has the abomination as the date of its commencement, and continues till immediately before the appearing of the Lord, -linking in this way the two together, and showing that we are in the time of the end throughout this part. What precedes it is general in character, and might (and doubtless does) take in from the beginning of Christianity, but as a dispensation says nothing of this. It is passed over, quite as in Old Testament prophecy; though in Matthew taken up in its relation to the coming of the Lord in the parables which follow. Luke also says nothing indeed of Christianity as such, and is briefer as to the Lord&#8217;s coming and what connects with this. We have nothing of the abomination nor of the tribulation following, but in place of this Jerusalem encompassed with armies and her being trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles -of the empires pictured by Daniel -are fulfilled. Then follow the signs of the Lord at hand.<\/p>\n<p>Luke retains his character in this as the Gentile Gospel; and the smaller details are in harmony with this. Thus there is no angelic mission to gather together the elect; and to the parable of the fig-tree he adds &#8220;and all the trees.&#8221; The indefinite lapse of time fulfilled in Jerusalem&#8217;s desolation, as contrasted with the immediate coming of the Lord after the tribulation which follows the setting up of the abomination; distinguishes in the clearest way the destruction by Titus spoken of in Luke from the signs of the end-time in the other Gospels. Jerusalem at the end is not destroyed but delivered, though at her extremity, by the appearing of the Lord.<\/p>\n<p>(1) The commencement of the prophecy is very similar in the three Gospels. In Luke, as in Mark, the disciples, questions have to do entirely with the destruction of the temple, of which He had just been speaking, and only in Matthew have we the additional ones, &#8220;What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the age?&#8221; Matthew accordingly it is who develops most fully, as we have seen; the circumstances connected with the end-time and the Lord&#8217;s return; while Luke gives the full answer to the question as to the temple. In relation to this, he brings out also as the others do, the false Christs that should arise, the wars and rumors of wars, the convulsions and disasters. But before all these things the hatred of men to Him would break out in the bitter persecution of His followers. The nearest ties would be no restraint; the dearest affections of nature would be turned to enmity. They would be delivered up to the synagogues and brought before rulers and kings; Christ, however, being borne witness to in this way, and the Spirit, therefore, with them to furnish them with the needful ability to glorify Him. Through all not a hair of their heads would really perish: He who has counted them all would certainly give a good account of them. By endurance they would gain their lives, instead of losing them: by the very loss of them they would keep them, as the Lord assured them before, to life eternal.<\/p>\n<p>Upon the guilty city, stained with the blood of the prophets, and now to be with that of their glorious King also, days of vengeance were coming. When they saw Jerusalem encompassed with armies, then they might know that its desolation was near: a very different thing, nevertheless, from the &#8220;abomination of desolation&#8221; of which Matthew and Mark speak, and which is connected with the middle of the last week of Daniel, while this comes between the sixty-ninth and seventieth in the same chapter: &#8220;and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary&#8221; (Dan 9:26). There is really no excuse for confounding things so different, and where the interval between them is so plainly expressed.<\/p>\n<p>There are, no doubt, similar warnings to depart from the city, and lamentations over the child-bearing women in each case -as easy to be understood in one connection as in the other. But the omissions in Luke are noticeable. Where the armies encompassing the city are the sign; there is naturally no exhortation as to speediness of departure, no need to pray that it might not be upon the sabbath day. In fact, for those in Jerusalem, such haste would be rather dangerous than wise, and abundance of time was given, after Cestius Gallus had retired from the city, for leisurely departure. All, therefore, is in perfect keeping.<\/p>\n<p>How terrible these days of vengeance were is known to all. Josephus gives the number of the slain in the siege as 1,000,000; of those carried away captive as 97,000. The complete fulfilment of our Lord&#8217;s words is matter of common history. The times of the Gentiles are not yet concluded, after more than eighteen centuries of treading down; although there are many signs that they are near their end: to what then takes place the prophecy passes on.<\/p>\n<p>(2) The signs of the end are more briefly given than in the previous Gospels; signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars, answered by the roaring of the sea with its billows from below; between them the nations in distress and perplexity; men ready to die for alarm at what is coming on the earth. There seems good reason to believe that these signs are physical, while yet there are corresponding ones in the political sphere, as the book of Revelation clearly shows. At such a time God&#8217;s mercy multiplies His calls to men to give heed to what He is doing; and such mysterious sympathy of nature with human woes gives all the apparent countenance that there may be to the fables of astrology. In such ways man perverts the goodness of God to his destruction.<\/p>\n<p>Amid such signs the Son of man will be seen coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Nothing is said of attendant angels or of the gathering of the dispersed of Israel. But when the disciples should see the beginnings of these things, they were to rejoice and lift up their heads, because their redemption was drawing nigh. These would be, in fact, Jewish disciples, such as they were to whom the Lord was now addressing Himself. Christianity was yet unknown, and the long lapse of time designedly hidden.<\/p>\n<p>The parable of the fig-tree applies, as we have seen in various places, to the Jewish remnant of returned captives in the land. Since dispersed, as Luke has told us they would be, they are now again gathering there; the fig-tree is shooting. But Luke adds &#8220;and all the trees&#8221;: in which we are to see apparently, according to the character of Luke, the revival of the nations making up Daniel&#8217;s empires. Notable it is that Greece and Italy, after a time of long depression, have again become kingdoms. If we go outside of these, but still within the range of Daniel&#8217;s vision, Egypt is also reviving under British care. Certainly the trees seem putting forth their leaves. The summer surely is already nigh; and there is no summer apart from the Kingdom of God. Again we are reminded, as in Matthew, of the rapidity with which it will at last come on. The generation that sees the beginning will see the end. And here the Lord solemnly affirms the immutability of His word: though heaven and earth pass, this shall not.<\/p>\n<p>In view of such a time again there come warnings, lest the world, its pleasures and its cares engross and stupefy the heart, and these things come unawares; for as a snare it will come upon those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. They must watch and pray, that they may prevail to escape, and stand before the Son of man. &#8220;This is still the great subject of our Gospel. To be with Him as those that have escaped from the earth, to be among the 144,000 on Mount Zion; will be an accomplishment of this blessing, but the place is not named; so that, supposing the faithfulness of those whom He was personally addressing, the hope awakened by His words would be fulfilled in a more excellent manner in His heavenly presence in the day of glory&#8221; (Synopsis).<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Grant&#8217;s Numerical Bible Notes and Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>This chapter concludes with the recital of a famous miracle wrought by our Saviour upon a blind man, whom St. Mark calls Bartimeus. <\/p>\n<p>Where we have observable, 1. The blind man&#8217;s faith in acknowledging Christ to be the Messiah; for so much the title of Son of David did import.<\/p>\n<p>Observe, 2. His fervency as well as his faith: he cried to Christ for the mercy of of healing, Have mercy on me, thou Son of David. A true sense of want, either bodily or spiritual, will cause a soul to cry of Christ with earnestness and importunity.<\/p>\n<p>Observe, 3. The great compassion and condescension of Christ towards this blind man : He stood still, he called him, and enlightened his eyes.<\/p>\n<p>Observe, 4. Before Christ would restore the blind man to sight, he must sensibly complain of the want of sight, and cry unto him for it. Christ knows all his creatures&#8217; wants, but takes no notice of them, till they make them known to him by prayer.<\/p>\n<p>Observe, 5. How much Christ magnifies faith, what he attributes to it, and how he rewards the least exercise of it: Jesus said, thy faith hath saved thee. Christ himself was the efficient cause of the blind man&#8217;s healing, but he exerted his divine power upon the exercise of the blind man&#8217;s faith; and accordingly says, Thy faith hath saved thee.<\/p>\n<p>Note, 6. In what way and manner the blind man does express his thankfulness to Christ for his recovered sight: He followed him, glorifiying God. Mercy received from Christ is then well improved when it engages us to follow Christ; this should be the effect of all salvations wrought for us. He praises God best, that serves him most. The life of thankfulness consists in the thankfulness of the life.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Luk 18:35-43. A certain blind man, &amp;c.  Of the miracle here recorded, see on Mat 20:29-34; Mar 10:46-52. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>7. The Healing of Bartimeus: Luk 18:35-43.<\/p>\n<p>John&#8217;s very exact narrative serves to complete the synoptical account. The sojourn of Jesus in Peraea was interrupted by the call which led Jesus to Bethany to the help of Lazarus (John 11). Thence He proceeds to Ephraim, on the Samaritan side, where He remained in retirement with His disciples (Joh 11:54). It was doubtless at this time that the third announcement of His Passion took place. On the approach of the feast of Passover, He went down the valley of the Jordan, rejoining at Jericho the Galilean caravans which arrived by way of Peraea. He had resolved this time to enter Jerusalem with the greatest publicity, and to present Himself to the people and to the Sanhedrim in the character of a king. It was His hour, the hour of His manifestation, expected long ago by Mary (Joh 2:4), and which His brethren (Joh 7:6-8) had thought to precipitate. <\/p>\n<p>Vers. 35-43. Luke speaks of a blind man sitting by the wayside, whom Jesus cured as He came nigh to Jericho; Mark gives this man&#8217;s name, Bartimeus; according to his account, it was as Jesus went out of Jericho that He healed him; finally, Matthew speaks of two blind men, who were healed as Jesus departed from the city. The three accounts harmonize, as in so many cases, only in the words of the dialogue; the tenor of the sufferer&#8217;s prayer and of the reply of Jesus is almost identical in the three (Luk 18:38 and parallel). Of those three narratives, that of Mark is undoubtedly the most exact and picturesque; and in the case of a real difference, it is to this evangelist that we must give the preference. It has been observed, however (Andreae Beweis des Glaubens, July and August 1870), that Josephus and Eusebius distinguished between the old and the new Jericho, and that the two blind men might have been found, the one as they went out of the one city, the other at the entrance of the other. Or, indeed, it is not impossible that two cures took place on that day, the one on the occasion of their entrance into the city, the other on their leaving it, which Matthew has combined; Luke applying to the one, following a tradition slightly altered, the special details which had characterized the other. This double modification might have been the more easily introduced into the oral narrative, if Jesus, coming from Ephraim to Jericho, entered the city, as is very probable, by the same road and by the same gate by which He left it to go to Jerusalem. If there were two blind men, they might then have been healed almost on the same spot.<\/p>\n<p>The name Bartimeus (son of Timeus), which Mark has preserved, comes either from the Greek name , the honourable, or from the Aramaic, same, samia, blind; blind, son of the blind (Hitzig, Keim). Mark adds: the blind man. The term suggests the name by which he was known in the place. <\/p>\n<p>The address, son of David, is a form of undisguised Messianic worship. This utterance would suffice to show the state of men&#8217;s minds at that time. The rebuke addressed to him by the members of the company (Luk 18:39) has no bearing whatever on the use of this title. It seems to them much rather that there is presumption on the part of a beggar in thus stopping the progress of so exalted a personage.<\/p>\n<p>The reading of the T. R., , is probably taken from the parallels. We must read, with the Alex.:  (a term more rarely used).<\/p>\n<p>Nothing could be more natural than the sudden change which is effected in the conduct of the multitude, as soon as they observe the favourable disposition of Jesus; they form so many inimitable characteristics preserved by Mark only. With a majesty truly royal, Jesus seems to open up to the beggar the treasures of divine power: What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? and to give him, if we may so speak, carte blanche (Luk 18:41). <\/p>\n<p>In replying to the blind man&#8217;s prayer, Luk 18:42, He says, thy faith, not, my power, to impress on him the value of that disposition, in view of the still more important spiritual miracle which remains to be wrought in him, and, hath saved thee, not, hath made thee whole; although his life was in no danger, to show him that in this cure there lies the beginning of his salvation, if he will keep up the bond of faith between him and the Saviour&#8217;s person. Jesus allows Bartimeus to give full scope to his gratitude, and the crowd to express aloud their admiration and joy. The time for cautious measures is past. Those feelings to which the multitude give themselves up are the breath preceding that anticipation of Pentecost which is called Palm Day.  relates to the power,  to the goodness of God (Luk 2:20). <\/p>\n<p>The undeniable superiority of Mark&#8217;s narrative obliges Bleek to give up here, at least in part, his untenable position of regarding Mark as the compiler of the two others. He acknowledges, that even while using the narrative of the other two, he must have had in this case a separate and independent source. So far well; but is it possible that this source absolutely contained nothing more than this one narrative? <\/p>\n<p>Holtzmann, on the other hand, who regards the proto-Mark as the origin of the three Syn., finds it no less impossible to explain how Matthew and Luke could so completely alter the historical side of the account (the one: two blind men instead of one; the other: the healing before entering Jericho rather than after, etc.), and to spoil at will its dramatic beauty, so well reproduced by Mark. And what signifies the explanation given by Holtzmann of Luke&#8217;s transposition of the miracle, and which is borrowed from Bleek: that Luke has been led by the succeeding history of Zaccheus to place the healing before the entrance into Jericho! <\/p>\n<p>Volkmar, who derives Luke from Mark, and Matthew from the two combined, alleges that Mark intended the blind man to be the type of the Gentiles who seek the Saviour (hence the name Bartimeus; Timeus comes, according to him, from Thima, the unclean); and the company who followed Him, and who wish to impose silence on the man, to be types of the Judeo-Christians, who denied to the Gentiles access to the Messiah of Israel. If Luke omits the most picturesque details, it is because of his prosaic character. If he omits the name Bartimeus, it is because he is offended at finding the Gentiles designated as impure beings. If he places the miracle before entering Jericho, it is because he distinguishes the healing of the man from that of his paganism, which shall be placed after, and that in the salvation granted to Zaccheus. Zaccheus, the pure, is the counterpart of Timeus, the unclean (Die Evangel. pp. 502-505). Of its kind this is the climax! Such is the game of hide and seek which the evangelists played with the Churches on the theme of the person of Jesus! After this we need give no other proofs of this author&#8217;s sagacity. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>CII. <\/p>\n<p>BARTIMUS AND HIS COMPANION HEALED. <\/p>\n<p>(At Jericho.) <\/p>\n<p>aMATT. XX. 29-34; bMARK X. 46-52; cLUKE XVIII. 35-43. <\/p>\n<p>   c35 And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:  36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant.  37 And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. [Jesus came from the Jordan, and was entering Jericho by its eastern gate. As the crowd following Jesus passed by, Bartimus asked its meaning and learned of the presence of Jesus. Jesus on this last journey went in advance of the crowd, and hence he had already entered Jericho before the sounds of the following multitude roused [558] the beggar to question its meaning. Knowing that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, he resolved to avail himself of the opportunity to be healed by him before he left the neighborhood. Not knowing how long Jesus would remain in Jericho, and not being sure of his ability to find him if he entered the city, he appears to have passed around the wall till he came to the southern gate, by which Jesus would depart on his way to Jerusalem. Here he stationed himself and waited patiently for the coming of Jesus. The persistency with which he cried when Jesus again appeared goes far to corroborate this determined preparation and fixed expectation of the beggar. While he waited at the southern gate the events narrated in Isa 64:6). In the race to win the presence of Christ on high, Christians are advised to lay aside every weight&#8211; Heb 12:1, Heb 12:2.] cand when he was come near, bJesus answered him, casked him, band said, aWhat will ye {cwilt thou} athat I should do unto you? {bthee?}  a33 They say {bAnd the blind man said} aunto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. cLord, bRabboni, that I may receive my sight. [Bartimus had cried for mercy without specifying what mercy, and he had asked this mercy of Christ as the Messiah. The Lord therefore in his royal majesty asked Bartimus to name the mercy, thus suggesting to him the fullness of the treasury of power and grace, to which he came. He was not to blame for this.]  a34 And Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes;  b52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; cReceive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. [We can see in this instance what faith really is. It caused Bartimus to cry out, to come to Jesus and to ask for sight. Thus we see that faith saves by leading to proper actions.]  43 And immediately astraightway they {che} areceived their {bhis} sight, aand followed him. bin the way. cglorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. [Being a beggar, it would have been natural for him to hunt first for means of livelihood, but faith and gratitude prompted him to follow Jesus.] [561]<\/p>\n<p> [FFG 558-561]<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>THE BLIND MEN AT JERICHO<\/p>\n<p>Mat 20:29-34; Luk 18:35-43; Mar 10:46-52. And they are coming into Jericho. And He and His disciples and a great multitude going out from Jericho, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, was sitting by the wayside begging. And hearing that it is Jesus the Nazarene, began to cry out, and to say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me! And many continued to rebuke him, that he must keep silent; and he continued to cry out much more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!<\/p>\n<p>And Jesus, standing, said that he should be called. And they called the blind man, saying to Him, Take courage, arise; He calls you. And laying aside his cloak, rising, lie came to Jesus. And responding, Jesus says to him, What do you wish that I shall do to you? And the blind man said to Him, Master, that I may look up. Jesus said to him, Go, thy faith hath saved thee; and immediately he looked up, and follows Jesus in the way. As you see, Matthew, Luke, and Mark all give this narrative. However, it is pertinent to observe that Matthew says He healed two blind men as He came out from Jericho, while Luke speaks of but one, whom He healed as He was coming into Jericho; Mark alone giving us the name of Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, and stating that he was sitting by the wayside begging as the multitude passed out of Jericho. Doubtless his home was near by, and he made his living by begging of the travelers along the highway from Jericho to Jerusalem. On hearing the tread of the multitude, and learning that the Prophet Jesus is passing by, and as he had heard so much about His wonderful miracles, restoring sight to multitudes of the blind who had been enabled to reach His ministry in His peregrinations through Galilee, Judea, Perea, Samaria, and other countries, and having determined to avail himself of the opportunity if He should ever pass that way, and doubtless already having information that He had crossed the Jordan, out of Perea into Judea, the day preceding, and was traveling toward Jerusalem, and would certainly come that way, the only great road leading through the wilderness of Judea from Jericho to Jerusalem, he now cries aloud incessantly, O Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me! As the prophecies revealed that the Messiah was to be the Son of David, in this appellation He really acknowledges His Christhood.<\/p>\n<p>I always met many beggars in that country. While they all have their places, and unhesitatingly speak out in their language, asking for a contribution, I never heard one scream and roar as this one did. Luke uses the word eboese, which is from boao, which, you observe, if you will pronounce it loudly, makes a noise like the lowing of an ox. Hence we see that this man threw his mouth open, and roared aloud, refusing to be quiet, though many of the multitude rebuked him for his impetuosity and disorder. Jesus, however, gives His fur approval to his persistent roaring by calling him to Him unhesitatingly. Consequently, throwing aside his outer garment for the sake of expedition, rising, he hastens to Jesus, who immediately opens his eyes, certifying to him, Thy faith hath saved thee; thus laying an illimitable emphasis on the grace of faith, as Jesus is accustomed to do. O how wonderfully does Jesus preach salvation by faith! Blind Bartimeus not only received his eyesight, but the salvation of his soul, through simple faith in Jesus. Therefore we are not astonished that, having now become a disciple, he falls in with the crowd, and follows Jesus, doubtless, the remnant of his life, and is now playing on his golden harp. This is a notable case of whole-hearted, importunate seeking of Jesus. When they did their utmost to moderate him, telling him that screaming and roaring in the presence of that great multitude was so indecorous, you see he only roared the louder. Find a penitent on that line, and look out!  something wonderful is going to happen.<\/p>\n<p>Now, as you see, Matthew tells of two blind men restored as Jesus passed out of Jericho; Luke speaking of but one, and that one as he entered into the city; while Mark tells us of Bartimeus as he came out. How do we reconcile this apparent disharmony? There is no need of any reconcilement. I have no doubt but He did, as Luke says, restore a blind man as He went in, and, as Luke says, two as he came out, of whom, doubtless, Bartimeus was one; as you must remember that many of our Lords great miracles are not found now in the inspired records, but only a few salient ones.<\/p>\n<p>The Jericho so celebrated in the days of Joshua stood on the plain of the Jordan, near the base of the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was tempted by Satan, and ten miles from the ford of the Jordan where Israel crossed over and Jesus was baptized. You know when this city was destroyed, Israel having shouted down the walls, God forbade its rebuilding. So it has never been rebuilt. However, they built a new city, two miles south, where the road from Jerusalem reaches the foot of the mountain and proceeds out, crossing the plain of the Jordan. This was the Jericho in the days of Christ. In the desolation of Judea by the Roman armies, soon after the crucifixion of Jesus, Jericho was destroyed. When the Crusaders conquered and took possession of the Holy Land, A. D. 1099, they rebuilt Jericho, about two miles farther east, along the road to the Jordan ford. This Jericho is still standing. I lodged there during both of nay visits in that country.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: William Godbey&#8217;s Commentary on the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Luk 18:35-43. A Blind Man Healed (Mar 10:46-52*, Mat 20:29-34*).There is one man as in Mk., but the name (Bartimus) is not given. Unlike Mk. and Mt., Lk. says the incident occurred as Jesus was entering (not leaving) Jericho. Loisy thinks the change was made to explain the presence of the crowd in Jericho.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Peake&#8217;s Commentary on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>18:35 {11} And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:<\/p>\n<p>(11) Christ shows by a visible miracle that he is the light of the world.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline\">5. The healing of a blind man near Jericho 18:35-43 (cf. Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Luke&rsquo;s primary purpose for including this incident in his narrative seems to have been to show that God, through Jesus, can give insight to those who humbly call on Him for mercy. Here was another humble outcast similar to the tax collector (cf. Luk 18:13) who experienced salvation because of his faith (Luk 18:42). Jesus not only saved him but also opened his eyes physically and spiritually.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Luke wrote that Jesus met the blind man as He was approaching Jericho, but Matthew and Mark said that the incident occurred as Jesus was leaving that town (Mat 20:29; Mar 10:46). There have been many explanations of this apparent contradiction. A summary of the most popular ones that reflect a high view of the biblical text follows.<\/p>\n<p>One view is that there were three separate incidents. Matthew recorded two blind men and Mark said there was one and his name was Bartimaeus. However the similarities between the stories argue for a single incident with Mark and Luke concentrating on the more prominent of the two blind beggars. Another view is that Jesus performed two separate healings, one as He entered Jericho and another as He left. Again the similarities of the descriptions argue for one incident.<span style=\"color:#808080\"> [Note: See Zane C. Hodges, &quot;The Blind Men at Jericho,&quot; Bibliotheca Sacra 122:488 (October-December 1965):319-30.] <\/span> A third view is that there was just one incident but it took place in two stages. Jesus met the men as He entered Jericho but healed them as He departed. This is possible, but it seems unlikely in view of the Evangelists&rsquo; accounts of the incident. A fourth and preferable explanation is that there was one incident that happened as Jesus was leaving old Jericho and entering new Jericho.<span style=\"color:#808080\"> [Note: See Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, 4:8:3, for the identification of these two Jerichos.] <\/span> The problems with this view are essentially two. There is no evidence that people still inhabited the old town, and it is not certain that the name of the old town was still Jericho.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 35-43. Bartimaeus healed at Jericho. 35. as he was come nigh unto Jericho ] This would be a week before our Lord&rsquo;s death on the evening of Thursday, Nisan 7, or the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-luke-1835\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 18:35&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25705"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25705\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}