Bible Commentaries
Mark 8

Introduction

SUMMARY.--The Four Thousand Fed. At Dalmanutha. Seeking a Sign from Heaven. The Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida. Peter's Confession at Cæsarea Philippi. The Death and Burial of the Son of Man. Peter Rebuked. Taking the Cross and Following Christ.

Verse 1

In those days. While Christ was in Decapolis. For notes on the feeding of the four thousand, see Mat 15:32-38. This is not the same event as the feeding of the five thousand (Mat 14:13-21; Mar 6:32-44; Luk 9:10-17; Joh 6:1-14). In Mar 8:19-20, the Lord refers to both miracles.

Verse 10

Into the parts of Dalmanutha. Mat 15:39 says "Magdala." Neither place exists now, but they are supposed to have been near each other on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee. Abbott suggests that they were two different names for the same place, a common circumstance.

Verses 11-13

The Pharisees came . . . seeking of him a sign from heaven. See notes on Mat 16:1-4.

Verses 14-21

The disciples had forgotten to take bread. For notes on the warning against the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, see Mat 16:5-12. Matthew says "Sadducees" instead of "Herod." Herod was a Sadducee, and the Sadducees generally were his supporters.

Verse 22

He cometh to Bethsaida. Near the mouth of the upper Jordan into the lake. It was upon the eastern bank of the river. The account of the miracle that follows is only given by Mark.

And they bring a blind man unto him. The people, not the disciples, brought him. He was brought (1) either because he could not find the way alone, or (2) because he had not faith that would induce him to go, and so was brought by the faith of his friends. This man was not born blind. He had evidently seen men and trees aforetime.

Verse 23

Led him out of the town. As he had taken the deaf man out of the crowd (Mar 7:33). The Lord often sought to escape publicity.

When he had spit on his eyes. I suppose that this unusual course was intended to develop in the man the faith which the Lord made the usual condition of healing.

Verse 24

I see men; for I behold them as trees, walking. Certain moving forms about him, but without the power of discerning their shape or magnitude; trees he should have accounted them from their height, but men from their motion.

Verse 25

Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes. This is the only example of a progressive cure. I suppose that it was an example of progressive faith. The Lord could have healed him with a word, but he wished to save the soul as well as the body.

Verse 26

Sent him away to his house. Evidently he did not live in Bethsaida, as he was forbidden to go into the town, or to tell the story there.

Verses 27-30

Jesus went forth . . . into the villages of Cæsarea Philippi. For notes on Peter's confession of Christ, see Mat 16:13-20. Compare Luk 9:18-21. Cæsarea Philippi was a heathen town, in the extreme north of Palestine, near the foot of Mount Hermon, and one of the sources of the Jordan.

Verses 31-38

He began to teach them, etc. For the first announcement of the suffering of our Lord, the rebuke of Peter, and the lesson concerning the cross, and saving the soul, see notes on Mat 16:21-28. Compare Luk 9:22-27. Mar 8:38 is peculiar to Mark in this connection, though given in Mat 10:32-33, on which see notes.