Bible Commentaries
Mark 8

Introduction

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

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.

Verse 1

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

The multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his, &c. — See the notes on Matthew 15:32-39.

Verse 11

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

A sign from heaven. — See the notes on Matthew 16:1.

Verse 12

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

Sighed deeply in his spirit. — As oppressed with the most painful sense of the perversity of men who refused to admit evidences of truth so strong as those which had been given to them, and were requiring new signs, not because they wished to be convinced, but in order to evade the convincing power of the mighty works of which they had already been the witnesses. This was a disposition which our Lord knew would lead to their ruin; and their fearful case lay heavy upon his spirit.

There shall no sign be given. — Ει δοθησεται , If there shall be given; an elliptical mode of denial but of the strongest kind, having the force of a solemn oath. So in Ezekiel 14:16, As I live, ει υιοι η θυγατερες σωθησονται , if they shall deliver, that is, they shall neither deliver sons nor daughters.

Verse 15

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

Leaven of the Pharisees. — See the notes on Matthew 16:5-9.

Verses 22-23

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

They bring a blind man unto him. — This miracle is recorded only by St. Mark; and his remarkable both for the application of spittle as a means of restoration, and for the gradual process of the cure. For the first, the remarks under the thirty-third verse of the preceding chapter may be referred to; and for the second, as no one can be so stupid as to suppose that he who opened the eyes of the man gradually, could not have done it at once, so we are taught that there is a variety in the Divine proceedings, of which as he gives no account, so we are not able to comprehend its reasons, but are bound to resolve the whole into his infinite though unrevealed wisdom. To be able to accomplish his purposes by an infinite variety of modes, with perfect ease and perfect certainty, is one of the loftiest proofs of perfection; and it lays in our minds the foundation of an absolute trust in God: “He can do all things, and all creatures serve him.”

Verses 24-25

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

I see men as trees walking. — He saw dark shadows in motion before him, whom on that account he took to be men; but otherwise he could not distinguish them from trees. Upon the imposition of our Lord’s hands a second time, he saw every man clearly.

Verse 26

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

Neither go into the town, &c. — From this it would seem that the man was not a resident at Bethsaida; and our Lord sent him home because the people of that city had not profited by his previous miracles. He had already said, “Wo unto thee, Chorazin; wo unto thee, Bethsaida;” and he began now to show his anger by diminishing the privileges which had been hitherto abused.

Verse 27

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

Whom do men say that I am? — See the notes on Matthew 16:13-23.

Verse 34

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

Deny himself, &c. — See notes on Matthew 16:24-28.