Bartimaeus: The Man Who Would Not Be Quiet

Biblical Source: Mark 10:46–52; also Luke 18:35–43

A standalone biographical passage for the EC–18+ curriculum

Reading level: approximately 660 Lexile (3rd–4th grade)
Vocabulary note: Written using high-frequency Dolch sight words (was, sat, said, called, want, could, went, then, up, see) paired with AAC core vocabulary (want, help, more, stop, go, look, see, yes, no, again), so the passage can support both fluent readers and core-word communicators in the same lesson.

Family and Community

Scripture gives us one family detail about Bartimaeus.

Father: Timaeus

Mark introduces him as “Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus” (Mark 10:46). We do not know about his mother, siblings, or other members of his family.

But Mark tells us something else about his life.

Bartimaeus was blind, and he sat beside the road near Jericho begging.

Then one day, he heard that Jesus was passing by.

The Passage

Bartimaeus was blind. He sat beside the road near the city of Jericho and begged for money (Mark 10:46).

One day, a large crowd came down the road.

Bartimaeus could not see what was happening, but he could hear the people around him.

He learned that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

Bartimaeus began to shout:

“Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10:47, KJV)

Many people told him to be quiet.

Bartimaeus did not stop.

He called out even louder.

“Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10:48, KJV)

Then something happened.

Jesus stopped.

He told the people to call Bartimaeus.

Now the same crowd that had been telling him to be quiet told him to get up because Jesus was calling him.

Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, got up, and went to Jesus (Mark 10:49–50).

Then Jesus asked Bartimaeus a question:

“What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” (Mark 10:51, KJV)

What do you want me to do for you?

Bartimaeus answered for himself.

He wanted to see.

Jesus told him that his faith had made him whole.

Right away, Bartimaeus could see.

Then he followed Jesus on the road (Mark 10:52).

Key Verse

“What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.”
— Mark 10:51 (KJV)

Bartimaeus Used His Own Voice

Bartimaeus is different from several other disabled people in the Gospel stories.

No one carries him to Jesus.

No one asks Jesus to help him.

No one speaks for him.

Bartimaeus speaks for himself.

When he hears that Jesus is nearby, he calls out.

Then people tell him to stop.

He does not.

He gets louder.

That makes Bartimaeus a powerful example of self-advocacy.

Self-advocacy means communicating what you want, what you need, what you think, and what matters to you.

Some people self-advocate by speaking.

Others may sign, point, type, use pictures, use an AAC device, communicate through movement or gestures, or use another reliable form of communication.

The method can be different.

The principle is the same:

Your voice matters.

Jesus Asked Bartimaeus

Jesus knew Bartimaeus was blind.

But Jesus did not decide for him what he wanted.

He asked.

“What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?”

That question matters.

Jesus gives Bartimaeus an opportunity to name his own desire.

Bartimaeus answers directly.

For students with disabilities, this offers an important model of agency.

People should have opportunities to communicate their own preferences and goals whenever possible.

We should not assume that because we can see someone's disability, we automatically know what that person wants.

Ask the person.

Then listen to the answer.

The Crowd Told Him to Be Quiet

There is another important part of this story.

Bartimaeus was not quiet because he had nothing to say.

Other people wanted him to be quiet.

The crowd tried to control whether his voice reached Jesus.

Bartimaeus refused.

He called out even louder.

And Jesus stopped.

The crowd had decided Bartimaeus should be quiet.

Jesus decided Bartimaeus should be heard.

For students learning self-advocacy, that distinction matters.

Sometimes people will disagree with what you ask for.

Sometimes you may need to ask again.

Sometimes you may need support communicating what you want.

Being told no, stop, or be quiet does not automatically mean that your question, need, or request does not matter.

Why This Story Matters for Our Curriculum

Bartimaeus gives us one of the clearest stories of disability, communication, agency, and self-advocacy in the Gospels.

He knows Jesus is nearby.

He wants Jesus' attention.

He calls out.

Other people tell him to stop.

He calls out again.

Then Jesus does something remarkably simple:

He asks Bartimaeus what he wants.

For students with disabilities, that matters in classrooms, medical appointments, transition planning, employment, community life, and meetings about their own services and supports.

For parents, educators, caregivers, ministry leaders, and advocates, Bartimaeus offers an equally important lesson:

Do not confuse speaking for someone with listening to them.

Support can be essential. Advocacy can be essential. Some people need significant assistance communicating and making their preferences understood.

But whenever possible, the person whose life is being discussed should be part of the conversation.

Bartimaeus was.

The crowd tried to silence him.

He kept communicating.

And Jesus stopped to listen.

Note: Scripture references use standard chapter-and-verse citations so readers can use whichever Bible translation their ministry, classroom, or family prefers. Direct Scripture quotations above are from the public-domain King James Version.