Βαρτίμαιος
Bartimaeus
Definition
Βαρτίμαιος (Bartimaeus) is a proper name referring to a blind beggar healed by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. The name itself is a compound, likely meaning 'son of Timaeus' (from Aramaic 'bar' meaning 'son of' and the Greek name 'Timaeus'). In the biblical narrative, Bartimaeus is not merely a name but identifies a specific individual whose story exemplifies persistent faith and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. His healing is a pivotal event on the road to Jerusalem, demonstrating Jesus' compassion and power as the Son of David (Mark 10:46-52).
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Mark 10:46. It is used to introduce the blind man before detailing the narrative of his healing. The usage is purely as a proper name to identify a specific character within a gospel story of miraculous healing and discipleship.
Etymology
The name is a hybrid of Aramaic and Greek. The first part, 'Bar-' (בַּר), is an Aramaic prefix meaning 'son of'. The second part, '-timaios', is a Greek name (Τίμαιος, Timaeus) meaning 'honored' or 'highly prized'. Thus, the name literally translates to 'son of Timaeus'. This reflects the multicultural context of first-century Palestine.
Semantic Range
The story of Bartimaeus is theologically significant as a model of active, persistent faith. His use of the title 'Son of David' (Mark 10:47-48) is a public, messianic confession. His healing and subsequent decision to follow Jesus 'on the way' (Mark 10:52) symbolize the transition from spiritual blindness to sight and discipleship. Understanding the Aramaic-Greek hybrid name underscores his place within Jewish culture and the Gospel's reach.
As a blind beggar, Bartimaeus occupied a low social and economic status in ancient society, often dependent on alms. His positioning by the roadside near Jericho (Mark 10:46) was typical for beggars seeking travelers. The hybrid name suggests he was likely a Hellenized Jew, a common feature in the region. His shouting to get Jesus' attention, though rebuked by the crowd, was a recognized, if desperate, form of appeal.
τυφλός (typhlos, G5185) — The generic Greek word for 'blind', describing Bartimaeus's condition, not his identity.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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