Mark 8

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:10

He entered into a ship ( εἰς τὸ πλοῖον )—literally, into the boat ; probably the same boat which he had ordered to be in attendance upon him ( Matthew 3:9 )— and came into the parts of Dalmanutha . ( Matthew 15:39 ) has "the coasts of Magdala;" more properly, "the borders of Magaden." This place was in all probability about the middle of the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, where now stand the ruins of the village of El-Mejdel. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:11

And the Pharisees came forth —St. Matthew ( Matthew 16:1 ) says that the Sadducees came with them—and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. They had already asked for a sign from heaven ( Matthew 12:38 ); but now this miracle gives them occasion to ask again. For when they saw how greatly it was extolled by the multitudes who had benefited by it, it was easy for them to urge that it was an earthly sign, and might have been wrought by him who is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:11-13

Signs. This was not an isolated case of the demands on the part of the Jewish leaders that Jesus should work some miracle which they might receive as a sign from heaven. And it was not only during our Saviour's ministry that they preferred such a request. For Paul had occasion long afterwards to complain of the Jews that they "required a sign," and were dissatisfied with the doctrines and with the evidences of Christianity. I. THE REQUEST OF THE PHARISEES . These men made a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:11-13

Seeking for a sign. Christ knew at once what this meant. He "knew what was in man," and refused to commit himself to the pretended inquirers. We have a more difficult course to pursue. I. THE CHARACTER OF THE DEMAND DEPENDS UPON CIRCUMSTANCES . It may be made in an honest, inquiring spirit, or in order to injure religion. In the former case too much consideration can hardly be given to it, as it is the indispensable preliminary to rational conviction, and the gospel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:11-21

Craving for signs. I. WHENCE THE CRAVING SPRINGS . "The Jews seek after a sign." It is the spirit we nowadays term "sensationalism." It is a natural desire for a certain pleasure of the mind. Fixed ideas, a sameness of mental representations, wearies and saddens the mind. Hence the craving for amusement, which gives change to the perpetual march past of the same old thoughts. The feeling is natural enough. The Jews, who had no science in our sense, and did not live in an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:12

He sighed deeply in his spirit ( ἀναστενάξας ) Another graphic touch of this evangelist; such as he had learnt in all probability from St. Peter. The word occurs nowhere but here. It is the outcome of grief and indignation, in which, however, grief predominates. There shall no sign be given unto this generation ( εἰ δοθήσεται σημεῖον ). This is a Hebrew idiom, based upon a form of taking an oath which prevailed amongst the Jews. The full form would be, "God do so and so to me,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:13

And he left them, and again embarking — ἐμβὰς for ἐμβὰς εἰς τὸ πλοῖον — departed to the other side. Again and again our Lord crossed this sea, that he might instruct the Galileans dwelling on either side; in fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1 , "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,... by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:14

And they had forgotten ( ἐπελάθοντο )—literally, they forgot— to take bread ( ἄρτους ); loaves. The conversation which follows took place on the boat while they were crossing. The passage would take perhaps six hours. And it was during that time that they would want food; for when they reached the port, they would find it in abundance. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:14-21

Misunderstanding. The evangelists have left untold much which we would fain know, and they have recorded some things which our unwisdom would have dispensed with. The incident here recorded seems trivial, and the conversation arising upon it commonplace. Yet it was not without a purpose that two evangelists were directed to preserve this passage in our Lord's ordinary life. I. THE WARNING WHICH THE DISCIPLES MISUNDERSTOOD . Christ's ministry of teaching seems to have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:14-21

The leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. The parabolic habit of mind of Christ was essential to the setting forth of Divine truth to the comprehension of men; but as yet the persons who might have been expected to understand his teaching most thoroughly, were continually mistaking it. Whilst their Master discoursed of heavenly things, the thoughts of the disciples were upon the earth. There is nothing so reveals the moral and spiritual distance of persons from one another as the... read more

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