Pronunciation Guide: bar-tim-AH-yos
Basic Definition
Strong’s G924: Βαρτιμαῖος (Bartimaios) is a personal name of Aramaic origin meaning “son of Timaeus” or “son of honor/value.” In the New Testament, he appears exclusively in Mark’s Gospel as a blind beggar who persistently called out to Yeshua (Jesus) for mercy and healing. His healing account powerfully demonstrates faith that overcomes obstacles and the Messiah’s compassionate response to those desperately seeking Him.
Etymology and Morphology
- Personal name (proper noun)
- Aramaic origin: בַּר (bar) meaning “son of” + טִמַי (Timai) meaning “honor,” “value,” or “highly prized”
- Appears only once in the New Testament (Mark 10:46)
- Usage in narrative context within the Gospel accounts
- Transliterated from Aramaic into Greek
Βαρτιμαῖος Morphology:
- Βαρτιμαῖος (nominative singular) – Bartimaeus (as subject)
- Βαρτιμαίου (genitive singular) – of Bartimaeus
- Βαρτιμαίῳ (dative singular) – to/for Bartimaeus
- Βαρτιμαῖον (accusative singular) – Bartimaeus (as direct object)
Origin & History
The name Βαρτιμαῖος represents a Hellenized form of an Aramaic name, combining “bar” (son) with “Timai” (honor/value). This formation follows a common Semitic naming pattern where “son of” (bar or ben in Hebrew) precedes the father’s name or a characteristic quality. The Gospel of Mark uniquely preserves both the Greek transliteration (Βαρτιμαῖος) and its meaning through the explanatory phrase “the son of Timaeus” (ὁ υἱὸς Τιμαίου), emphasizing the significance of this figure to both Greek and Aramaic-speaking audiences.
Unlike many biblical names, Βαρτιμαῖος does not appear in classical Greek literature or the Septuagint, as it is specifically an Aramaic name introduced in the New Testament narrative. Its singular appearance in Mark’s Gospel (generally considered the earliest written Gospel) suggests the account of this blind beggar made a significant impression on early Christian communities. The early church father Clement of Alexandria mentions Bartimaeus in his “Paedagogus” (The Instructor) as an example of persistent faith rewarded with divine healing.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- A specific blind beggar encountered by Yeshua near Jericho
- A symbolic representation of spiritual blindness healed through faith
- A model of persistent prayer and bold faith despite social obstacles
- A recipient of the Messiah’s compassion and healing power
Βαρτιμαῖος Translation Options:
- “Bartimaeus” – direct transliteration maintaining the personal name as in most English translations
- “Son of Timaeus” – literal translation of the meaning as provided by Mark himself
- “Son of Honor” – interpretive translation capturing the meaning of the Aramaic name components
- “Son of the Highly Prized” – alternative interpretation reflecting the root meaning of the name Timaeus
Biblical Usage
Βαρτιμαῖος appears exclusively in Mark 10:46, making his account particularly significant as one of the few named recipients of Yeshua’s healing miracles. Mark introduces him formally with both his Aramaic name and its Greek interpretation: “Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus.” This double identification suggests his story was well-known in early Christian communities and carried symbolic significance beyond the historical event.
The parallel accounts in Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43 describe the same miracle but do not name the blind beggar, making Mark’s inclusion of his name particularly noteworthy. This suggests either that Mark had access to more detailed eyewitness testimony or that the name Bartimaeus carried special significance to Mark’s audience. The healing occurs as Yeshua is departing from Jericho, placing it chronologically near the end of His earthly ministry, just before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
- “Then they came to Jericho. As Yeshua and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Βαρτιμαῖος (Bartimaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.” Mark 10:46
Cultural Insights
In first-century Jewish society, blindness carried significant cultural and religious implications beyond the physical disability. According to common understanding of the time, physical afflictions were often viewed as divine punishment for sin, either personal or generational, as reflected in the disciples’ question about a man born blind in John 9:2. This stigma forced many with visual impairments to the margins of society, with begging often their only means of survival.
Bartimaeus’s position “beside the road” (παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν) outside Jericho is culturally significant. Jericho was a prosperous city and an important customs collection point, with considerable traffic flowing through it. By positioning himself along this busy thoroughfare, Bartimaeus strategically placed himself where travelers—potentially more generous than locals who encountered him daily—would pass. His location also carried theological significance, as “the way” (ἡ ὁδός) became an early Christian metaphor for following the Messiah, suggesting Bartimaeus was symbolically positioned at the edge of faith, ready to join “the way” when the opportunity arose.
The repeated address of Yeshua as “Son of David” (Υἱέ Δαυίδ) by Bartimaeus represents a bold Messianic confession. This title explicitly acknowledged Yeshua’s royal lineage and Messianic identity—a politically charged recognition in Roman-occupied Judea. That a blind beggar would make such a public declaration, especially when others tried to silence him, demonstrates remarkable spiritual insight despite his physical blindness.
Theological Significance
The account of Βαρτιμαῖος provides a powerful theological contrast between physical and spiritual sight. Though physically blind, Bartimaeus demonstrates remarkable spiritual perception by recognizing Yeshua as the “Son of David”—a Messianic title many sighted individuals, including religious leaders, failed to acknowledge. This paradox reinforces the biblical theme that true spiritual insight comes not through physical capabilities but through faith-filled recognition of יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) work and presence.
The healing narrative follows a consistent pattern that emphasizes the relationship between faith and divine intervention. When Yeshua asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” He invites Bartimaeus to articulate his faith explicitly. Bartimaeus’s direct request, “Rabbi, I want to see,” demonstrates both his confidence in Yeshua’s power and his clarity about his deepest need. The Messiah’s response, “Go, your faith has healed you,” establishes the theological principle that while healing power comes from God, it is received through the channel of faithful trust. This account thus balances divine sovereignty with human responsibility in the process of salvation and transformation.
Perhaps most significantly, the narrative concludes with Bartimaeus “following Yeshua along the road” (ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ), indicating that physical healing was not the end but the beginning of discipleship. This outcome provides a theological model for authentic response to divine mercy—not merely receiving blessing and departing, but committing to follow the Healer as Lord. The timing of this event, just before Yeshua’s final journey to Jerusalem, symbolically presents Bartimaeus as joining the Messiah on His path to sacrifice and redemption.
Personal Application
Bartimaeus’s story invites us to examine the “blindness” in our own lives—areas where we lack perception, understanding, or faith. Just as he persisted in crying out despite opposition, we can learn to persistently bring our needs before the Messiah, undeterred by obstacles or discouragement from others. His example challenges us to ask: What spiritual blindness might I need to acknowledge? What am I asking the Lord to help me “see” more clearly? How persistent am I in bringing my deepest needs before Him?
The narrative also offers profound encouragement for those who feel marginalized or overlooked. Bartimaeus was positioned on the periphery of society, yet Yeshua stopped for him amid the pressing crowds. This demonstrates the Messiah’s attention to individuals whom others dismiss. When we feel insignificant or unnoticed, we can remember that the Lord Who notices the sparrow’s fall (Matthew 10:29) certainly notices our cries for help. His compassionate response to one blind beggar reminds us that in יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) economy, no one is too small or too far removed to receive His attention and mercy.
Related Words
- τυφλός (typhlos, “blind”) – The physical condition that defined Bartimaeus before his healing, representing both literal sightlessness and spiritual inability to perceive truth. See G5185
- κράζω (krazō, “to cry out”) – The urgent, loud calling that Bartimaeus employed to get Yeshua’s attention, demonstrating his determination and desperation. See G2896
- ἐλεέω (eleeō, “have mercy”) – The appeal for compassion that Bartimaeus repeatedly made to Yeshua, forming the core of his simple yet profound prayer. See G1653
- ἀναβλέπω (anablepō, “to receive sight/look up”) – The action describing Bartimaeus’s healing, implying both restored vision and a new spiritual perspective. See G308
- ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō, “to follow”) – What Bartimaeus did after his healing, indicating his transition from recipient of mercy to committed disciple. See G190
Did you Know?
- Bartimaeus is one of only a handful of named recipients of Yeshua’s healing miracles in the Gospels, joining figures like Lazarus, Jairus, and Malchus. The inclusion of his specific name suggests either that he became a known figure in the early Christian community or that his name carried symbolic significance for Mark’s audience.
- The beggar’s cloak that Bartimaeus threw aside (Mark 10:50) was likely his most valuable possession, serving not only as clothing but also as his blanket at night and the surface upon which he collected donations during the day. By casting it aside before even receiving healing, he demonstrated extraordinary faith and readiness to leave his old life behind—a powerful physical enactment of spiritual commitment.
- The location of this healing near Jericho carries historical resonance, as Jericho was the first city conquered when the Israelites entered the Promised Land under Joshua. Bartimaeus’s healing near this significant location symbolically represents a new conquest—the Messiah bringing spiritual sight to those in darkness as He prepared to enter Jerusalem and establish a new covenant.
Remember This
Βαρτιμαῖος reminds us that when we recognize our blindness and persistently seek the Messiah despite obstacles, He not only stops to restore our sight but invites us to follow Him on the road of discipleship, transforming us from beggars on life’s margins to witnesses of His transforming power.
