<P> The earliest version is in the Gospel of Mark (10: 46 - 52) which tells of the cure of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (literally "Son of Timaeus", one of the few recipients of healing who are given names). As Jesus is leaving Jericho with his followers, Bartimaeus calls out:' Son of David, have mercy on me!' and persists even though the crowd tries to silence him . Jesus has them bring the man to him and asks what he wants; he asks to be able to see again . Jesus tells him that his faith has cured him; he immediately regains his sight and follows Jesus . </P> <P> Apart from telling a miracle story that shows the power of Jesus, the author of the Gospel uses this story to advance a clearly theological purpose . It shows a character who understands who Jesus is and the proper way to respond to him - with faith . The beggar, on being called to Jesus, discards his cloak, symbolising the leaving behind of possessions . And the use of the title,' Son of David' - the only occasion on which this is used in the Gospel of Mark - serves to identify Jesus as the Messiah . </P> <P> The Gospel of Matthew has two unnamed blind men, sitting by the roadside; Jesus is' moved by compassion' and touches their eyes . 20: 29 - 34 A version of the same story is told earlier in the narrative, when Jesus is preaching in Galilee . On this occasion, he asks the blind men if they believe he can cure them, and when they assure them they do, he commends their faith and touches their eyes, restoring their sight . He warns them to tell nobody of this, but they go and spread the news throughout the district . (Matthew 9: 27 - 31) </P> <P> The Gospel of Luke 18: 35 - 43 handles the story in a different way; there is one unnamed blind man, and the author shifts the incident to take place as Jesus is approaching Jericho, so it can lead into the story of Zacchaeus . </P>

The blind man on the road to jericho