PrevMark 8:31Next

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 8:31 mean?

Explanation

Mark 8:31 conveys a pivotal moment in the New Testament where Jesus, referred to here as the "Son of man," prepares his disciples for the upcoming events that would lead to his death and resurrection.

This verse contains the first explicit prediction of Jesus' suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection, narrated directly by Him to His followers.

It emphasizes Jesus as a suffering Messiah, a concept that was hard to grasp for the Jewish people at the time who expected a victorious and reigning messiah.

The mention of "elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes" indicates the groups that would oppose Him, reflecting the leadership of the Jewish community who were instrumental in His eventual crucifixion.

The prediction also sets the stage for the essential Christian belief in Jesus' resurrection after three days.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

This verse from the Gospel of Mark is part of Jesus' teachings during His ministry in Galilee and possibly Judea.

Written around 70 A.D., Mark is commonly believed to be the earliest of the four Gospels.

At the time, there was significant political and cultural tension in the region, largely due to Roman occupation and local expectations of a messiah who would liberate Israel from foreign rule.

Instead of aligning with these expectations, Jesus presents a different vision of the Messianic role, one that includes suffering and death.

The historical context behind the "elders, chief priests, and scribes" refers to the Sanhedrin, the ruling council in Jerusalem, who had significant religious authority and collaborated with the Roman authorities.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Mark 8:31 offers several insights:

Jesus is portrayed as a prophetic figure, foretelling future events.
It presents the Messiah as one who must suffer and die before entering glory, challenging Jewish Messianic expectations.
It identifies Jesus' death and resurrection as a core element of Christian faith, and one that is preordained.
The verse suggests the necessity of suffering in the Christian journey, which has been widely discussed in Christian theology as a part of redemption.

Different denominations interpret this text within their wider theological frameworks, but the core belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus as the foundation of faith remains across most Christian beliefs.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse can:

Encourage believers to trust in God's plan even when it includes hardship and suffering.
Serve as a reminder to Christians of the cost of discipleship and the need to follow Jesus' example of perseverance.
Motivate believers to stay faithful in the face of resistance or rejection from society or authorities.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:21 - "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."
Luke 9:22 - "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."
Isaiah 53:3 - "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

Language Study

The keyword "must" translates from the Greek "dei," implying necessity or something that is bound to happen as part of a divine plan.

"Suffer" comes from "pascho," meaning to experience a sensation or impression (usually of a painful nature).

"Son of man" is a term used in the Hebrew Bible and by Jesus to refer to himself, potentially signifying both His humanity and His messianic role, as seen in Daniel 7:13.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Jesus' prediction of His death and resurrection can be compared with other mythological and religious dying-and-rising gods, such as Osiris in Egyptian mythology or Tammuz in Mesopotamian lore.

However, it substantially differs from these myths as it is not cyclical (yearly death and rebirth with seasons) but is a unique historical event with implications for eternal life, according to Christian belief.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the prophecy of resurrection after three days challenges the empirical understanding of death and life processes. Resurrection claims are outside the purview of scientific method and analysis and are taken on faith within religious traditions.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars have varied perspectives on this verse:

Some see it as a central text for understanding Jesus' mission and the nature of the Messiah within Christianity.
Others focus on its literary role in foreshadowing the events of the Passion week.
Historical-critical scholars often debate the authenticity of the prediction, considering whether it was a retrojection from the early church after the events had occurred.
Many commentaries also discuss the dramatic irony present, where the readers know what is to come, though the disciples do not fully understand the prediction at the time.

These varied interpretations provide depth and breadth to the understanding of Mark 8:31.

Mark 8

Mark 8

What does Mark 8:31 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 8:31 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?