Jesus reacts to Bartimaeus throwing off his coat by asking: What do you want me to do for you?
The son of David does not only stand still to show mercy to the pleading beggar; he also asks what will best serve the man, who could also have asked for riches instead of his poverty. But he answers, Rabbi, let me recover my sight.
This request again shows his faith. He expects the great era of David’s son. He needs no wealth; he desires eyes enabling him to see the Messiah and his work. When the son of David comes, things will happen that no eye has seen; precisely now Bartimaeus also wants to be there with his eyes in order to see the glory of the Messiah.1
51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”