Mark 8

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:22-26

Restoring the blind to sight. Illustration of Christ's— I. WISDOM . He rebuked a vulgar curiosity, and perhaps baffled a Pharisaic intrigue. His privacy, so needful for bodily rest and spiritual preparation for the great conflict he felt to be impending, was thus preserved; and the course of teaching and working upon which he had entered was not seriously disturbed. The subject of the miracle was himself preserved from undue excitement with its attendant dangers. And shall we not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:22-26

The Saviour's method in dealing with individual souls. I. ISOLATES FROM DISTURBING INFLUENCES . The gossips and scheming politicians of the town of Bethsaida. Notoriety. The sense of importance. By his dealings with the sinner in conviction and repentance, he spiritually removes him to his own retirement. He is first brought to be with Christ, that by-and-by he may be in him. II. HE ENCOURAGES AND CONFIRMS FAITH . By leading the blind man away, although as yet a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:22-26

Curing spiritual blindness. I. DELIVERANCE FROM BLIND GUIDES . II. TRANSFER OF CONFIDENCE TO THE TRUE GUIDE . III. REVELATION OF THE INVISIBLE POWER OF GOD . IV. EXERCISING THE SOUL 'S NEWLY ACQUIRED POWERS OF SPIRITUAL VISION , V. GIVING SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOR THE FUTURE .—M. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:22-26

The gradual healing of the blind man. In each of the many cases of healing there were, doubtless, peculiarities of incident of great interest to the healed, if not to us. But of only a few have we the details. Perhaps where we have them they have their more important relation to us than to the subjects of the healing themselves. In this case, as in others, the compassion of friends is called into play. "They bring to him a blind man, and beseech him to touch him." Not without service to us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:22-26

The blind man. I. " THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST AWAKENS FAITH IN THOSE WHO ARE BROUGHT TO HIM BY THE FAITH OF OTHERS ." II. " BENEFITS ARE RECEIVED ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF FAITH IN HIM " (J. H. Godwin).—J. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:22-26

The healing of a blind man at Bethsaida. I. SEVERAL MIRACLES OF A SIMILAR KIND . The miracle here recorded was performed at Bethsaida Julias, or the northern Bethsaida, on the route from the north-east shore of the lake to Caesarea Philippi. It is related by St. Mark alone. The peculiarity of this miracle of restoring sight to the blind is the circumstance of its being wrought at twice; that is to say, the cure was progressive or gradual. In the ninth chapter of St. John's Gospel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:24

And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking . He looked ups natural action. He instinctively looked in the direction of the source of light. The words in the Greek of the next clause are as follows:— βλέπω τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ὅτι ὡς δένδρα ὁρῶ περιπατοῦντας : I see men ; for I behold them as trees , walking ; that is, "I see something confusedly and obscurely, not clearly; for I see what I think must be men, and yet so dimly that they look to me like trees, only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:25

Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes, and made him look up —this is the Authorized Version rendering of ἐποίησεν αὐτον ἀναβλέψαι : but the better authenticated reading is simply καὶ διέβλεψε , and he looked steadfastly— and was restored, and saw all things clearly . Now, here it pleased our Lord, not suddenly, but by degrees, to give perfect sight to this blind man. And this he did read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:26

This verse, according to the best reading, runs thus: And he sent him away to his home, saying, Do not even enter into the village . It thus appears that Bethsaida was not the home of this blind man. He might naturally have wished to exhibit himself in Bethsaida, where many must have known him, and to have sung the praises of his great Benefactor. But this was far from what Christ wished. He wished to be in seclusion. He had no desire to excite more than could be helped the idle curiosity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:27-28

And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi . This verse seems to corroborate the view that the Bethsaida just referred to was Bethsaida Julias. Caesarea Philippi lies at the roots of Libanus. Cornelius a Lapide says that it was originally celled Dan, the place where two little streams united, namely, Jeor and Daniel These two streamlets so united make the Jordan, whence the name Jeer-Dan, or Jordan. But since Pan, the God of shepherds, was better known to... read more

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