ONE OF THE CROWD.
Jesus of Nazareth.
BARTIMEUS, crying.
O Son of David!
Have mercy on me!
The Annotated Edition
ONE OF THE CROWD. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This brief poem recounts the moment from the Gospels when Bartimeus, a blind beggar, shouts out to Jesus as he walks through Jericho.
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
This brief poem recounts the moment from the Gospels when Bartimeus, a blind beggar, shouts out to Jesus as he walks through Jericho. In just a few words, Longfellow conveys the deep desperation of a person on society's fringes seeking healing. The poem's strength lies in what it omits — the crowd, the noise, the uncertainty — focusing solely on one voice and one heartfelt plea.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
Jesus of Nazareth.
Editor's note
This single line, presented like a stage direction or announcement, sets the scene: Jesus is passing by. It's the catalyst for everything that comes next. Longfellow gives it its own space, allowing the significance of that name to resonate before anyone speaks.
BARTIMEUS, crying. / O Son of David!
Editor's note
The name in capitals and the word 'crying' act like a script note — we instantly recognize who is speaking and that he is shouting, not whispering. 'Son of David' is a messianic title from Jewish tradition, which means Bartimeus is doing more than just asking for help; he is boldly declaring his faith in Jesus. It takes real courage to do that as a blind beggar, especially when the crowd is probably telling him to be quiet.
Have mercy on me!
Editor's note
The plea is laid bare. It offers no explanation for his blindness, no catalog of his suffering, and no attempts to negotiate. Simply 'have mercy on me'—three words that carry a lifetime of struggle. Longfellow relies on the reader to grasp the depth of that simplicity.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
The tone is urgent and straightforward. There’s no fluff or sentimentality — just the raw cry of a desperate man. The brevity adds a sense of reverence, as if Longfellow believed that more words would only weaken the moment. It feels almost like a prayer, which is precisely what it is.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- Bartimeus
- He stands for those who are often ignored, marginalized, and yet choose to speak out. His blindness symbolizes not just a physical condition, but also the broader human struggle against suffering and helplessness.
- The crowd
- Though the crowd remains silent in this poem, its existence is hinted at through the title 'One of the Crowd.' The crowd represents indifference — the multitude of people who observe suffering without taking action, contrasting sharply with Bartimeus's solitary voice.
- The cry
- The act of crying out symbolizes faith in action. Bartimeus doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t doubt, and doesn’t stay silent. His shout is the poem's main event, embodying the belief that being heard is achievable, even when everything around you suggests the opposite.
§06Historical context
Historical context
Longfellow published a series of short dramatic poems that draw inspiration from biblical scenes. This particular piece reflects a tradition that views scripture as a living drama rather than just doctrine. The story of Bartimeus, found in the Gospel of Mark (10:46–52), was familiar to Longfellow's audience in the nineteenth century. He wrote during a time when scientific rationalism and social changes challenged religious faith. Poems like this one subtly affirmed the importance of personal faith without the trappings of institutional ceremony. The title 'One of the Crowd' is a thoughtful reframe: while the Gospel story is often told from the viewpoints of Jesus or his disciples, Longfellow places us among the nameless onlookers, allowing the reader to experience the jarring impact of one desperate voice amidst the clamor.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
Bartimeus is a blind beggar from Jericho, and his story appears in the Gospel of Mark. When Jesus walks through the city, Bartimeus calls out to him, even though the crowd tries to hush him. Jesus stops, beckons him over, and gives him back his sight. He stands out as one of the few named individuals who are healed in the Gospels.
The brevity is the whole point. Longfellow isn’t aiming to narrate the entire Gospel story — he focuses on a single moment, the instant of the cry itself. By removing everything else, he amplifies that cry, making it resonate with more urgency than any longer poem could achieve.
'Son of David' is a title from Jewish prophecy that refers to the messiah expected to come from King David's lineage. By shouting it, Bartimeus is openly declaring Jesus as the messiah — a daring and politically loaded statement to make in a crowd.
The title changes our perspective. Rather than positioning Bartimeus as the hero of his own tale, Longfellow places us among the onlookers witnessing the events unfold. This prompts the reader to consider: if you were in that crowd, would you have noticed him? Would you have tried to hush him, or would you have paid attention?
Yes. Longfellow wrote several short dramatic poems inspired by biblical and historical events. This piece reflects his broader goal of using verse to make scriptural moments accessible and engaging for everyday readers, viewing the Bible as a source of human drama instead of merely a religious text.
It doesn't follow a regular meter or rhyme scheme. Instead, it resembles a script or stage direction, featuring the name 'BARTIMEUS' in all caps and the word 'crying' serving as a dramatic cue. This simple, unadorned style fits the rawness of the subject—using a formal rhyme would have felt inappropriate.
At its core, the poem explores faith—particularly the kind that takes bold action in tough situations. It also delves into loneliness (a single voice standing out in a crowd), hope (the conviction that raising one's voice can lead to change), and identity (Bartimeus openly naming Jesus, which also reflects his own belief).
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