Bible Commentaries
Mark 8

Verses 1-10

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand (Matthew 15:32-39 ) Mark 8:1-10 gives us the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand men besides women and children.

Mark 8:6 Comments - Jesus Þ disciples Þ People. This delegated authority from Jesus to the disciples to the people illustrates the authority that Jesus gave to the twelve apostles in order to ministry to the people.

Mark 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

Mark 8:7 Comments - Jesus prayed before they ate the feast.

Verses 1-38

Perseverance: Preaching and Offences In Mark 7:24 to Mark 9:50 the emphasis moves from indoctrination to perseverance, where Jesus teaches His disciples the need to continue in the lifestyle of preaching and healing.

Outline: Here is a proposed outline:

1. Narrative Mark 7:24 to Mark 9:32

2. Sermon - Jesus Preaches on Humility and Offenses Mark 9:33-50

Verses 11-13

The Pharisees Seek a Sign (Matthew 16:1-4 ) Mark 8:11-13 gives us the account of how the Pharisees sought a sign from Jesus in order to test Him. Jesus will soon reveal Himself on the Mount of Transfiguration to His three closest disciples, Peter, James and John. God reveals Himself to those who seek Him.

Verses 14-21

Jesus Warns His Disciples of the Leaven of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:5-12 ) Mark 8:14-21 gives us the account of Jesus warning His disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. Perhaps the Pharisees represented extreme Judaism while Herod represented extreme worldliness.

Mark 8:17-18 Comments - Jesus refers to the blindness of the Jews in an earlier passage when teaching on the parable of the sower. Now His uses this Old Testament passage to rebuke His disciples for their slowness in understanding.

Mark 4:12, “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”

Verses 22-26

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida Mark 8:22-26 gives the unique account of Jesus healing a blind man at Bethsaida.

Verses 27-30

Peter’s Great Confession at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13-20 , Luke 9:18-21 ) Mark 8:27-30 gives us the account of Peter’s great confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God at Caesarea Philippi. According to Luke’s Gospel, at this point in Jesus’ earthly ministry, He turns His face towards Jerusalem and Calvary and no longer focuses upon His public ministry to the multitudes. He now begins to predict His death on Calvary to His disciples. But in Mark’s Gospel Jesus continues to minister to the public.

Verses 31-38

Jesus’ First Prediction of His Death and Resurrection (Matthew 16:21-28 , Luke 9:22-27 ) Mark 8:31 to Mark 9:1 gives us the first account of Jesus predicting to His disciples how He will be killed and then resurrected from the dead.