The address Rabboni
(also as Aramaic for Master
in John 20:16) allows us to hear the authentic sound of what the man has said in his own language. Bartimaeus now chooses another address than he used when he called (Mark 10:47–48) Jesus at the beginning of the pericope.
He used the words the son of David
to draw Jesus’ attention by crying out as loudly as possible the title he wanted to greet him with, and whereby also the ground of his request became clear. And when the goal (drawing attention) had been reached, and when he had been brought into contact with the son of David, he now chose another way to show his faith in Jesus.
As addressed within a conversation, Rabbi
is more normal. Bartimaeus thus honours the son of David in his coming as Teacher on behalf of God.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.”