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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 8:10-21

Still Christ is upon motion; now he visits the parts of Dalmanutha, that no corner of the land of Israel might say that they had not had his presence with them. He came thither by ship (Mark 8:10); but, meeting with occasions of dispute there, and not with opportunities of doing good, he entered into the ship again (Mark 8:13), and came back. In these verses, we are told, I. How he refused to gratify the Pharisees, who challenged him to give them a sign from heaven. They came forth on purpose... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 8:11-13

8:11-13 The Pharisees came out and began to ask him questions. They were looking for a sign from heaven, and they were trying to test him. He sighed in his spirit and said to them, "Why does this generation look for a sign? This is the truth I tell you--no sign will be given to this generation." He sent them away and he again embarked on the boat, and went away to the other side. The whole tendency of the age in which Jesus lived was to look for God in the abnormal. It was believed that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 8:11

And the Pharisees came forth ,.... Out of their houses; who dwelt in the coasts of Magdala, and parts of Dalmanutha, and came to Jesus, hearing of his being arrived in their neighbourhood: and began to question with him ; or to dispute with him, it being their manner to carry on disputations by questions and answers. The Persic version has the question they put, and about which they disputed, "if thou art the Christ"; in proof of which they required a sign: seeking of him a sign from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:1-21

A sign from heaven. "There was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat." Again Jesus had "compassion." Again are the disciples perplexed. "Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?" Speedily, of "seven loaves" and "a few small fishes" "about four thousand men, beside women and children, did eat and were filled," and "broken pieces remained over" to the extent of "seven baskets." Jesus left the miracle to give its own teachings—the great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 8:1-21

Parallel passage: Mt 15:30-16:12. The Feeding of the for thousand 1 . The feeding of the four thousand. 2 . The sign sought by the Pharisees. 3 . The leaven of the Pharisees. I. OMISSION . Having pretty fully considered the feeding of the five thousand recorded in the sixth chapter, and its relation to the feeding of the four thousand narrated in the above section of this eighth chapter, we waive further notice of this subject, as the two miracles are in fact twin miracles,... 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

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