What does Mark 10:49 mean?

"Take heart" is from the Greek root word tharseō and means "to be of good courage or cheer." It is the same command Jesus gave the disciples when He walked on the Sea of Galilee and they thought He was a ghost (Mark 6:50). The phrase also evokes Isaiah 35:4–5 in which those with an anxious heart are told to "be strong; fear not!" and the blind and deaf are healed.

Jesus heals people in different ways, particularly those who are blind and deaf. In some situations, perhaps when the person is scared or confused, He draws them aside and interacts with them on a very personal level (Mark 7:31–37; 8:22–26). Bartimaeus is not scared. He is bold and loud. The people's admonition to him to "take heart" may reflect the crowd's skepticism and embarrassment more than their concern for the beggar (Mark 10:48). So, Jesus doesn't have to make any special arrangements. Jesus doesn't even have to walk to where the blind man is sitting. He just calls Bartimaeus over and declares him healed by virtue of his faith.

The people who just rebuked Bartimaeus for calling after Jesus change their tune when they realize Jesus wants to talk with him. Very often, we dismiss the needs of others because they're inconvenient or uncomfortable. We need to remember that Jesus always cares about those around us. We shouldn't need a reminder or a sign. We can always take given opportunities to address needs and injustices personally and offer them to Jesus in prayer. "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8).