What does Luke 18:43 mean?

The journey to the cross is almost over, but Jesus enters the territory of Judea with a happy event. While walking through Jericho, surrounded by a crowd on their way to celebrate Passover, He hears a man calling out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" He stops and has the crowd bring the man to him. It's Bartimaeus, a blind beggar (Mark 10:46), and he wishes to see. Jesus obliges, and the people immediately start praising God (Luke 18:35–42).

This is not the last time a crowd will glorify God because of what Jesus does. Undoubtedly, when He raises Lazarus from the dead, there is great celebration, although it isn't recorded (John 11:38–44). When Jesus rides a donkey up to the temple mount, the people cry out, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:28–38). They may not fully know what they are saying, but God receives their praise. Some cries will not be worshipful. When the Sanhedrin questions—and tortures—Jesus, they cry out that He is a blasphemer (Luke 22:63–71). The Jewish leaders then rile up a mob to cry out that Pilate should crucify Him (Luke 23:18–25).

Today, it is our turn to take up the cry. Like formerly-blind Bartimaeus, we need to proclaim what Jesus has done for us and praise God.

The story of Bartimaeus begins the last section (Luke 18:35—19:27) of the "Travelogue of Jesus" (Luke 9:51—19:27). In the final two stories, Jesus will meet Zaccheaus and tell the parable of the ten minas. Then Jesus will enter Jerusalem, presenting Himself to the Jewish leaders to give them one more opportunity to lead the nation into following their Messiah (Luke 19:28—21:38).