And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
And Jesus stood (or "stood still," as rendered in Matthew and Mark), and commanded him to be brought unto him. Mark (Mark 10:49-50) has this interesting addition: "And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort; rise, He calleth thee." It is just as one earnestly desiring an interview with some exalted person, but told by one official after another that it is vain to wait, because he will not succeed-they know it-yet persists in waiting for some answer to his suit, and at length the door opens, and a servant appears, saying, 'You are to be admitted-He has called you.' No doubt those who thus encouraged the poor man, knew well the cure that would follow. "And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus." How lively is this touch about the casting away of his garment! It is evidently the remark of an eye-witness, expressive of the exhilarating hope with which he was immediately filled.
And when he was come near, he asked him,