Chapter 8

1 Christ feedeth the people miraculously: 10 refuseth to give a sign to the Pharisees: 14 admonisheth his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod: 22 giveth a blind man his sight: 27 acknowledgeth that he is the Christ, who should suffer and rise again: 34 and exhorteth to patience in persecution for the profession of the gospel.

1. In those days. [Feeding the Four Thousand, Mark 8:1–10=Matt. 15:32–39. Major comment: Matthew.]

Very. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the reading “again.” This seems to imply that the feeding of the 5,000 is here referred to indirectly (see on Matt. 15:32).

11. Pharisees came forth. [The Demand for a Sign, Mark 8:11–21=Matt. 16:1–12. Major comment: Matthew.]

12. Sighed deeply. A detail noted only by Mark. Jesus was disappointed at their slowness to perceive spiritual truth (see on Matt. 16:9; Mark 7:34).

14. One loaf. Another detail noted only by Mark.

15. Leaven of Herod. That is, the evil influence of Herod, particularly his worldliness and vacillating character (see on Matt. 13:33; 16:6). In the parallel passage in Matthew (ch. 16:6) the Sadducees appear in the place of Herod. Inasmuch as the Sadducees consistently courted the favor of the ruling power and were themselves worldly-minded (see p. 52), their chief interests were closely identified with those of Herod, and they interpreted his policies to the Jewish nation. Thus, so far as general meaning and influence are concerned, the terms given in Matthew and Mark are interchangeable.

22. He cometh. [The Blind Man Near Bethsaida, Mark 8:22–26. See Retirement from Public Ministry; The Ministry of Our Lord; on miracles pp. 208–213.] Jesus and the disciples had recently arrived from Magdala (see on Matt. 16:1, 5), and after this incident, continued on their way to Caesarea Philippi (see Mark 8:27; see on Matt. 16:13). In coming to Bethsaida (see on Matt. 11:21), Jesus once more forsook Galilee, for the same reasons that had occasioned His withdrawal to Phoenicia a few weeks before this (see on Matt. 15:21; 16:13). The miracle performed upon this occasion resembles in many respects that performed for the deaf-mute in Decapolis not long previously (see on Mark 7:31–37).

They bring. As also in the case of the deaf-mute of Decapolis (see on ch. 7:32).

23. Led him out. There were probably at least two reasons for this: (1) to avoid publicity (see on v. 26), and (2) in order to help the blind man understand and concentrate upon what Christ was about to do for him (cf. on chs. 5:37, 40; 7:33). Jesus seems to have performed comparatively few miracles during the period of His public ministry, and in most instances He was among a population that was largely heathen.

If he saw ought. This is the only recorded occasion on which Jesus asked such a question, and apparently it was done here with the objective of strengthening the man’s imperfect faith (see on v. 24).

24. Men as trees. This is the only recorded instance in which Jesus performed a cure in two stages. There is no apparent reason for the use of this method in this case. However, it should be noted that, as partial vision was restored to the man, his faith increased and he was ready to believe that Jesus could cure him completely (see on v. 23).

25. Put his hands. See on chs. 7:33; 8:23.

Every man. Better, “everything.”

Clearly. Gr. teµlaugoµs, literally, “far shining,” that is “at a distance and clearly.” Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the reading deµlaugoµs, “radiantly,” or “in full light.”

26. The town. That is, Bethsaida (see on v. 22). Apparently the man’s home was not in this city, which Jesus immediately told him not to enter. This restriction was evidently intended to prevent news of the miracle from spreading, and thus aid Jesus in His endeavor to secure retirement (see on v. 22).

27. Jesus went out. [Withdrawal to Caesarea Philippi: The Great Confession, Mark 8:27 to 9:1=Matt. 16:13–28=Luke 9:18–27. Major comment: Matthew.]

31. He began to teach. For comment see on Matt. 16:21.

32. Openly. That is, “plainly,” or “without reserve.” Mark does not mean that Jesus made a public announcement of the lesson He now gave the disciples, but rather that He discussed it with them in plain, literal language.

34. People. Literally, “crowd.” There were apparently others with Jesus besides His regular disciples, possibly Jewish residents of the region who had heard of Him (see on Matt. 16:24).

35. Gospel’s. See on ch. 1:1. Only Mark has this detail of the story. Here Jesus identifies Himself with His message (see John 6:51, 63).

38. Ashamed. See on Matt. 10:32; cf. Rom. 1:16.

Adulterous and sinful generation. See on Matt. 11:16; 12:39. Another detail of this occasion recorded only by Mark (see on v. 35).

The glory. A clear reference to the second advent of Christ (see on Matt. 25:31), of which event the Transfiguration, which follows next in the record, was a miniature demonstration (see on Matt. 16:28).

Ellen G. White comments

1–21DA 405–409

12   DA 406, 407

18   5T 464

24   Ev 594; MM 98; 1T 462

27   DA 418

27–38DA 410–418

31   SR 205

34   CH 590; Ev 90; FE 511; 2T 178; 4T 521, 632; 8T 209

36   AA 366; COL 374; CS 213, 217; 4T 46, 53

36, 37  CG 329; CH 593; COL 267; CS 74, 84; Ed 145; Ev 559; PK 274; 1T 706; 2T 59; 3T 250; 6T 78

38        DA 422; 5T 588