Bible Commentaries
Mark 8

Verses 1-9

Four thousand fed. Matthew 15:32-39 .

Verse 2

In following Christ, his people may, for a time, be destitute even of the necessaries of life. But he is never unmindful of their wants, and in due time he will supply them.

Verse 10

Dalmanutha ; Matthew says he came into the coasts of Magdala. These two places were near together, so that either might be mentioned with equal propriety.

Verses 11-13

A sign sought. Matthew 16:1-4 .

Verse 12

Sighed deeply ; on account of their wickedness. Pious men are grieved at the deceit and hypocrisy of the wicked; and earnestly desire and fervently pray that by forsaking their sins and turning to God, they may be prepared for heaven.

Verses 14-21

The leaven of the Pharisees. Matthew 16:5-12 ; Proverbs 19:27 .

Verse 15

The leaven of Herod ; that is, of the Herodians, his partisans. Though the Pharisees and Herodians disagreed in their political opinions, they agreed in being actuated by corrupt worldly principles and a hypocritical spirit, which are here called their leaven.

Verse 17

Hardness of heart and blindness of mind are often found to a great extent in the disciples of Christ; and were it not for his continual intercession, and the rich blessings of his Spirit, they would fall away and perish.

Verse 23

Although Jesus Christ can bestow favors instantaneously, and without the use of means, he often sees it best to employ means, and to grant his favors gradually, that those who receive them may better understand his character, and more wisely improve the blessings which he gives.

Verse 24

As trees , walking ; he saw men walking, but could distinguish them from trees only by their motion. He did not see them clearly.

Verse 25

Put his hands again-saw every man clearly ; why the Saviour did not heal this man by an instantaneous act, as in so many other cases, we are not informed. One reason may have been, to shadow forth the gradual process by which, through his word and Spirit, he removes spiritual blindness from men’s heart.

Verse 26

The town ; Bethsaida, where so many of his mighty works were done. Matthew 11:21 .

Verses 27-38

Cesarea Philippi ; a town in the north part of Galilee, and near mount Hermon. Philip the tetrarch greatly enlarged it, and called it Cesarea in honor of Tiberius Cesar. Philippi was added to distinguish it from another Cesarea which lay on the Mediterranean sea. Matthew 16:13 .

Christ foretells his death, and reproves Peter. Matthew 16:13-28 .

Verse 32

Openly ; publicly and more plainly than he had done before.

Verse 33

Savorest not ; thinkest not. Thy thoughts and those of God do not agree. Compare Isaiah 55:8-9 . Those who think that some other course would be better than that which Christ takes, savor not the things which be of God, but those that be of men. This was often the case with Peter, and it showed, that notwithstanding all Christ had done for him, he was very liable to err.

Verse 34

Take up his cross ; in allusion to the practice of compelling malefactors to bear their own cross to the place of execution. The meaning is, that he must make any sacrifice, submit to any self-denial, and encounter any difficulty which may be needful, in order to obey Christ’s commands.

Verse 35

Save his life-lose it ; the word life is here used in two senses: first, for the bodily life; secondly, for eternal life.

Verse 37

In exchange for his soul ; as the price of its redemption. If his soul be lost, there is no price which he can pay to redeem it. It must be lost for ever.

Verse 38

Ashamed of me ; ashamed to be my follower.

When he cometh ; at the day of judgment. If men would be owned of Christ in the day of judgment, they must be governed by his will, must not be afraid or ashamed to acknowledge him before men, and must perserveringly obey his commands.