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Mark 8

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

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

So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

What does Mark 8:22 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 8:22 describes an event in which Jesus arrives at Bethsaida, a village near the Sea of Galilee.

Upon His arrival, people bring to Him a blind man with the hope that Jesus would heal him.

The request "besought him to touch him" suggests that the people believed physical contact with Jesus had the power to heal.

This verse sets the stage for one of the miracles of Jesus, where He shows compassion and restores the man's sight.

The verse emphasizes the faith of the blind man and his friends, as well as the divine power of Jesus to heal afflictions.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Bethsaida is historically known to be a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

During the time of Jesus, it was part of the Roman Empire, under the local authority of Herod Philip.

During this period, it was common for healers and prophets to travel and perform acts of healing.

The New Testament presents Jesus as a central figure who performed many miracles.

The people's expectation that He could heal by touch indicates a prevalent belief in the miraculous power associated with holy persons or prophets.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse shows Jesus' miraculous power as an attribute of His divinity.

The calling upon Jesus to touch the blind man signifies His role as the intermediary between God and mankind.

Different Christian denominations might draw varied nuances from this verse.

For instance, Protestant theologians might stress the faith aspect of the healing.

In contrast, Catholic and Orthodox theologians may also see this as an affirmation of the use of physical sacramentals, maintaining that physical matter can become a vessel for God's grace.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by showing compassion to those in need and believing in the power of collective prayer.

It could serve as an encouragement for individuals to seek help and support from their communities, highlighting the notion that faith and communal effort can lead to positive change.

Moreover, this can be seen as a call for individuals to serve as instruments of God's work on Earth, through acts of kindness and service to others.

Cross-References

Mark 10:46-52: Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, receives his sight after calling out to Jesus and expressing faith.
John 9:1-7: Jesus heals a man born blind by making mud with spit and anointing the man's eyes, illustrating another miracle of giving sight to the blind.
Matthew 9:29-30: Jesus touches the eyes of two blind men after they express their belief in His ability to heal them, and their sight is restored.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word used for "bring" is "φέρουσιν" (pherousin), which carries the sense of carrying or leading to someone, emphasizing the active role of the friends.

"Besought" is translated from "παρακαλοῦσιν" (parakalousin), indicating a strong plea or request, showing the urgency and desperation for the healing.

"Touch" is from "ἅψῃ" (hapsē), which conveys the action of making contact, reflecting the belief in the transfer of healing power through physical touch.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, many cultures believed in the power of touch and anointed individuals to heal.

For instance, in Greek mythology, figures like Asclepius were associated with healing powers.

Similarly, in various religious traditions, certain individuals are believed to have the power to heal the sick through touch, such as shamanic practices in indigenous cultures.

Such parallels show a common theme across cultures of the desire for healing and the belief in extraordinary abilities conferred upon certain individuals.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the healing of blindness instantaneously as described in the Bible does not align with current medical understanding and capabilities. Blindness is treated with medical interventions such as surgery or medication, and not through miraculous means.

However, the placebo effect and the psychological impact of faith and belief on health are recognized in scientific literature, and such elements of the narrative might offer some consonance with therapeutic effects observed in different contexts.

commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer a range of interpretations of this verse.

William Lane, in his commentary on the Gospel of Mark, suggests that the healing of the blind man is a pivotal moment demonstrating Jesus' messianic identity and compassion.

France views this miracle as an example of Jesus' divine authority over physical ailments.

Meanwhile, commentators like John Calvin have emphasized the importance of faith in the Christian tradition, underscoring that the healing miracles were both signs of Jesus' divine mission and acts that encouraged belief among His followers.

Mark 8

Mark 8

What does Mark 8:22 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 8:22 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?