t of Christ's approach to Jericho. These slight variations attest
the independent authorship of each of the records, and the apparent
discrepancies have no direct bearing upon the main facts, nor do they
detract from the instructional value of the Lord's work. As we have
found to be the case on an earlier occasion, two men were mentioned
though but one figures in the circumstantial accounts.[1045]

The man who is more particularly mentioned, Bartimeus, sat by the
wayside, asking alms. Jesus approached, accompanied by the apostles,
many other disciples, and a great multitude of people, probably made up
largely of travelers on their way to Jerusalem to attend the Passover
festival, the time for which was about a week ahead. Hearing the tramp
of so great a company the sightless beggar inquired what it all meant,
and was answered, "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by." Eager lest the
opportunity of gaining the Master's attention be lost, he immediately
cried in a loud voice: "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me." His
appeal, and particularly his use of the title, Son of David, show that
he knew of the great Teacher, had confidence in His power to heal and
faith in Him as the promised King and Deliverer of Israel.[1046] Those
who were in advance of Jesus in the company tried to silence the man,
but the more they rebuked him the louder and more persistently did he
cry: "Thou son of David, have mercy on me." Jesus halted in His course
and directed that the man be brought to Him. Those who but a moment
before would have stopped the blind man's yearning appeal, now that the
Master had noticed him were eager to be of service. To the sightless one
they brought the glad word: "Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee";
and he, casting aside his outer garment lest it hinder, came in haste to
Christ. To the Lord's question, "What wilt thou that I shall do unto
thee?" Bartimeus answered: "Lord, that I may receive my sight." Then
Jesus spake the simple words of power and blessing: "Receive thy sight:
thy faith hath saved thee." The man, full of gratitude and knowing that
nothing short of divine interposition could have opened his eyes,
followed his Benefactor, glorifying God in heartfelt prayers of
thanksgiving, in which many of those who had witnessed the miracle
fervently joined.

ZACCHEUS, THE CHIEF AMONG THE PUBLICANS.[1047]

Jericho was a city of considerable importance; among its resident
officials was a staff of publicans,