And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying to him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calls you.
stood.
Psalm 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Psalm 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
Matthew 20:32-34 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? …
Be.
John 11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
So they called the blind man.
The crowd, initially rebuking Bartimaeus for calling out to Jesus, now becomes the conduit for his healing. This shift demonstrates the transformative power of Jesus' presence and command. The crowd's change in behavior can be seen as a reflection of societal norms being challenged by Jesus' teachings. In a broader biblical context, this moment echoes the call of God to His people, as seen in the Old Testament, where God often calls individuals to step out in faith (e.g., Abraham in Genesis 12:1).
“Take courage!” they said.
The encouragement given to Bartimaeus is significant. In the cultural context of the time, blindness was often seen as a curse or punishment, leading to social ostracism. The words "Take courage!" are a call to faith and hope, resonating with the biblical theme of God encouraging His people in times of fear or uncertainty (Joshua 1:9). This phrase also reflects the New Testament theme of courage in the face of adversity, as seen in Jesus' own words to His disciples (John 16:33).
“Get up! He is calling for you.”
The command to "Get up" signifies a call to action and faith. Bartimaeus is not only being called physically to rise but also spiritually to respond to Jesus' invitation. This mirrors other biblical instances where individuals are called to rise and follow God's direction, such as the call of the disciples (Matthew 4:19). The phrase "He is calling for you" underscores the personal nature of Jesus' ministry. It highlights the individual call to each believer, reminiscent of the Good Shepherd calling His sheep by name (John 10:3). This personal call is a central theme in the Christian faith, emphasizing a direct relationship with Christ.
When the crowd presses forward toward Jerusalem, Jesus halts. His pause is deliberate, showing that He is never too busy to hear the cry of faith (Mark 10:47-48). Similar moments appear when He “stood still” for the widow’s dead son (Luke 7:14) and when He “stopped” for the hemorrhaging woman (Mark 5:30-34). Each instance reveals His heart: personal compassion overrides public momentum.
• Christ delegates: rather than walking over Himself, He invites the crowd to act.
• The order models how He involves believers in His work, just as He told the servants to fill the jars at Cana (John 2:7) and instructed the disciples to “give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37).
• The command also reverses the crowd’s earlier rebuke of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:48), teaching that true disciples assist, never hinder, seekers.
Obedience follows immediately. Those who once silenced him now become messengers of mercy, fulfilling Proverbs 16:7, where even former opponents can be turned to peaceful cooperation when the Lord intervenes.
• Encouragement replaces discouragement; words that once shut him down now lift him up.
• Similar exhortations appear when Jesus approached the disciples on the stormy sea—“Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27)—and when Paul faced peril in Corinth—“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking” (Acts 18:9-10).
• Faith thrives on courage; fear keeps the needy silent.
The call requires immediate action. Bartimaeus must rise from his stationary position to meet the Savior, echoing Jesus’ earlier words to Jairus’s daughter, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” (Mark 5:41). Grace initiates; faith responds.
• The invitation is personal: “for you.” Just as the good shepherd “calls his own sheep by name” (John 10:3), Jesus singles out one blind beggar in a throng.
• Divine call replaces societal marginalization. Where the crowd saw a nuisance, Christ saw a son destined for sight (Romans 8:30).
• This moment previews the gospel invitation in Acts 2:39—“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off.”
Mark 10:49 captures the gospel in miniature. Jesus stops for a desperate cry, involves His followers in mercy, overturns discouragement with courage, demands a faith-filled response, and issues a personal call. The verse reminds believers that our Lord hears, halts, and heals, and that we are invited to partner with Him in bringing the needy straight to His welcoming voice.
(49) And commanded him to be called.--The better MSS. give, more vividly, "and said, Call him."Be of good comfort.--The cheering words of the disciples or by-standers are given by St. Mark only, as is also the eager action of the man "casting off his garment (i.e., the outer mantle) and leaping up." The Greek word, in the better MSS. is much stronger than the English "rose."
Verse 49. - And Jesus stood still (στὰς ὁ Ἰησοῦς) - literally, Jesus stood - and said, Call ye him. St. Jerome says that our Lord stood still on account of the man's infirmity. There were many walls in Jericho; there were rough places; there were rocks and precipices over which he might stumble. Therefore the Lord stood, where there was a plain path by which the blind man might approach him. The crowd show their, sympathy. There is something very genuine as well as touching in their words, Be of good cheer: rise, he calleth thee.