This evening we are gathering to finish our discussion of the transitional section of the gospel found in Mark 8:22-10:52. This section begins with the healing of the blind man of Bethsaida and concludes with the healing of the blind man of Jericho named Bartimaeus. These two men provide a key to what follows.
The blind man of Bethsaida is only partially healed at first, just as the disciples at first only partially understood Jesus’s prediction of his Passion. Likewise, Mark uses Bartimaeus to tell us the significance of what will follow – Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (on Palm Sunday). Bartimaeus refers to Jesus with two unique titles. In Mark, only Bartimaeus calls Jesus the “Son of David.” (vv. 47-48). I have attached a brief analysis of this title from the Anchor Yale Bible Commentary. pp.1119-20 Also in Mark, only Bartimaeus refers to Jesus as “rhabbouni.” (v.51) The word “rabbi” literally means “my great one” and was reserved for a teacher or someone in authority. “Rhabbouni” is the emphatic form of “rabbi.” Therefore Bartimaeus is calling Jesus not only his teacher or master, but calling him the greatest teacher or highest master. It is with this terminology, “Son of David” and “Highest Master”, that Mark prefaces Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Dinner is a 6. The menu is spinach pie with ham. Discussion about 6:45. Bring a friend. Hope to see you here.
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan the prophet, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: . . . When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men; but I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.’”
2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-16.