Topical Bible: Highways: Beggars Sat by Sides of

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In biblical times, highways were significant routes for travel and commerce, often connecting major cities and regions. These roads were not only pathways for traders and travelers but also places where the marginalized and needy, such as beggars, would position themselves to seek alms from passersby. The presence of beggars along these routes is a testament to the social and economic conditions of the time, as well as the cultural and religious practices concerning charity and compassion.

One of the most notable accounts of a beggar by the roadside is found in the Gospel of Mark, where Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, sat by the road leading out of Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples were leaving the city, Bartimaeus cried out for mercy. The crowd attempted to silence him, but he persisted, and Jesus responded to his faith by restoring his sight. The passage reads: "As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. And there by the roadside sat a blind man named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, begging" (Mark 10:46).

The highways served as strategic locations for beggars due to the high volume of traffic, increasing their chances of receiving help. The biblical narrative often highlights the compassion shown by individuals who, moved by faith and love, extended mercy to those in need. This is exemplified in the parable of the Good Samaritan, where a traveler on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by robbers and left for dead. A Samaritan, moved with compassion, tends to the man's wounds and ensures his care, demonstrating the call to love one's neighbor (Luke 10:30-37).

The presence of beggars on highways also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the poor and marginalized. The Law of Moses included provisions for the care of the needy, and the prophets frequently called the people of Israel to uphold justice and mercy. In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry consistently emphasized care for the poor, the sick, and the outcast, urging His followers to do likewise.

In the context of ancient Israel and the surrounding regions, highways were not only physical roads but also symbolic of the journey of life, where encounters with the needy provided opportunities to demonstrate faith through action. The beggars by the highways remind believers of the enduring call to live out the principles of charity, mercy, and justice as taught in Scripture.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 20:30
And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, you son of David.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 10:46
And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Under Ban of the Ritual
... with large burdens; notaries and scribes sat cross-legged ... by their patrons and clients,
and beggars and fortune ... moving slowly in from the wide highways of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... a harp in his hand, standing and playing upon it before One that sat on a ... The beggars
that go from door to door will, rather than they will lose a supposed alms ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm