Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:22-26 – A Blind Man in Bethsaida

Mark 8:22-26 – A Blind Man in Bethsaida

MK8:22 Then Jesus arrived at Bethsaida and the people brought to him a blind man,[1] and they begged Jesus to touch him. MK8:23 So Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of town, and after he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands upon him, Jesus asked him if he could see. MK8:24 Then the blind man looked around and said: “I see trees walking about like people.” MK8:25 So Jesus put his hands upon the man’s eyes again[2] and caused him to see clearly, restoring his sight. MK8:26 Then Jesus sent him back to his home, telling him: “Do not go into the village [[nor tell anyone in the town]].”[3]

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[1] People brought to him a blind man: A story unique to Mark.

[2] Again: If Jesus were God Himself it would seem unlikely that he would have to try again to bring the cure to perfection.

[3] Bracketed words are recognized as not adequately supported.

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Preceding

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:1-9 – 4000 Fed

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:10-13 – Pharisees Seek Sign

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:14-21 – Warning About Doctrinal Leaven

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Seven

Review Questions on Chapter Seven

• How may worship become vain or worthless?
• What example showed the Jews had invalidated God’s commandment?
• Name some things that defile a person?
• How did a pain mother get Jesus to change his mind?
• What cure astounded so many people?

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Preceding

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:9-16 – Invalidating God’s Word

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:17-23 – How to Defile the Heart

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:24-30 – A Syro-phoenician Woman

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:31-37 – Deaf Ears and Dumb Speech

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:31-37 – Deaf Ears and Dumb Speech

Mark 7:31-37 – Deaf Ears and Dumb Speech

MK7:31 On his return journey from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon Jesus arrived at the Sea of Galilee through the middle of the area of Decapolis.[1] MK7:32 Now people brought to him a deaf person who was unable to speak, and they begged him to lay his hands on him. MK7:33 Now Jesus took him aside from the crowd and put his fingers into his ears and then having spit he touched the man’s tongue. MK7:34 Then looking up toward heaven, Jesus said to him: “Ephphatha!” (That is, “Be opened!”) MK7:35 And, the man’s hearing powers were restored and his tongued was untied and he began to speak normally. MK7:36 Then Jesus ordered all of them not to tell anyone,[2] but the more he discouraged them, the more they would spread the news far and wide. MK7:37 They were all amazed beyond description, and in astonishment they said: “He has done everything excellently, for he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.

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[1] Through the middle of the area of Decapolis: An area of Ten Towns south of Galilee, thus Jesus returned from the south-west. The account here is unique to Mark.

[2] Not to tell anyone: Perhaps “reverse psychology” for the affect is always the same.

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Preceding

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:9-16 – Invalidating God’s Word

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:17-23 – How to Defile the Heart

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:24-30 – A Syro-phoenician Woman

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:24-30 – A Syro-phoenician Woman

Mark 7:24-30 – A Syro-phoenician Woman

|| Matthew 15:21-28[1]

MK7:24 Now after this Jesus rose and traveled[2] to the borders of Tyre and Sidon and there he entered a certain house. He wanted to remain unrecognized[3] but he could not escape discovery. MK7:25 Because a certain woman whose young daughter had an unclean demon heard of him and came and fell at his feet. MK7:26 The woman was a Greek from Syro-phoenicia,[4] and she begged Jesus that he exorcise the demon from her daughter. MK7:27 But Jesus said to her: “Allow the ‘children’ to eat and be satisfied first. Because it is not proper[5] to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”[6] MK7:28 However, the woman answered Jesus and said to him: “True, Lord, and yet even the little dogs under the table eat the crumb’s the children spill.” MK7:29 So Jesus said to her: “Because of that statement, go now. The demon has left your daughter.” MK7:30 Now when she had returned home she discovered the demon had gone and her daughter lay resting on her bed.

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[1] Matthew 15:21-28: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Traveled: Over 50-70 miles.

[3] He wanted to remain unrecognized: He travels 50-70 miles to enjoy some peace and quiet.

[4] Syro-phoenicia: Ancient Canaanites and modern Palestine. This is the land from which Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English all find their roots.

[5] It is not proper: Or: right, fair. In a moment Jesus will do what he first said was not right or proper. Jesus has come only to call “the lost sheep of the House of Israel.”

[6] Little dogs: Though some say “dogs” the Greek is diminutive and refers to puppies. “Dog” was a derogatory term used by the self-righteous Jews.

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Preceding

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:9-16 – Invalidating God’s Word

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:17-23 – How to Defile the Heart

Matthew 15:1-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Tradition and the Heart

Matthew 15:21-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Giving Bread to Puppies

Matthew 23:25-26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 5: Greed and Unclean

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Additional reading

1. Today’s thought “Out of the heart … come …” (February 11)

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Six

Review Questions on Chapter Six

• How was Jesus received in his own home?
• How did Jesus send out the apostles?
• Relate the story of John the Baptist’s death.
• How did Jesus feel about the crowds?
• What two miracles did the disciples witness?

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Preceding

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:1-6 – A Prophet Without Honor

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:7-13 – Apostles Sent Out by Twos

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:14-20 – King Herod Marvels About Jesus

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:21-29 – A Birthday Beheading

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:30-34 – Jesus Pities Sheep Without Shepherd

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:35-44 – 5000 Fed

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:45-52 – Walking Across the Sea

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:53-56 – Jesus’ Healing Touch