runs to Jesus. In other words, he left his most valuable possession on the curb. For a blind beggar that is a dangerous proposition. But he seems certain that he will be able to retrieve it. Jesus knows what Bartimaeus wants but asks anyway. Apparently Jesus wants to elicit faith from him and a proper response from the crowd. Typical of Matthew, he tells us that Jesus is not content simply to heal Bartimaeus, but that he feels compassion for him and touches his eyes (cf. Mt 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; Mk