In Jericho

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. (10:46)

According to the scholars of the New Testament, from verses 10:46 to 13:37 are the reports of Jesus’ activity in Jerusalem. The incidents of crucifixion and resurrection continued after 14:1. It explains the Passion in Jerusalem and it occupies one third of Mark’s gospel. It probably means that the passion is the centre of the gospel.

Though Mark 10:46-52 deals with the incident that had happened before Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem, it was included in the activity of Jesus in Jerusalem because it happened just before Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem.

Some may be perplexed to imagine the literary work of the critics as they read the gospel. Yes, they would. The authors of the gospels wrote in contemporary terms. Those who write, carefully consider the structure of their writings in order to match the purpose of writing. The literary work of the critics is just an attempt to make us understand the structure. We can simply follow the stream of the text a little more precisely through such line of understanding.

Jericho, the background of today’s content is another place different from the Jericho the first city attacked by Israel who was to conquer Canaan led by Joshua. The Jericho of today’s content is the city of palm tree, locating at the southwestern part of the old Jericho which is 250m under sea level. The city is the handiwork of Herod who built his winter palace there.

Jesus met a blind man near Jericho and healed him. The one who was healed followed Jesus. Of course, he entered into Jerusalem with Jesus. Jericho is just the departing point for Jerusalem. It signifies that whoever opens his spiritual eyes like the blind man in Jericho should enter into Jerusalem where Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection was waiting for. The incidents happened in Jerusalem are our fundamental reason for which we follow Jesus.