Mark 8
In the first four stories in this chapter, we will see two motifs. First, the topic of bread is a common thread that leads to discussions the disciples do not understand. Second, the theme of blindness versus sight is used as a metaphor for the level of understanding and belief of various people.
A 2nd Miraculous Feeding
8:1-9
Jesus was again faced with a crowd that had nothing to eat. These were people who were committed to hearing his teaching and preaching. They had been following him for 3 days and had nothing to eat. And, again Jesus had compassion on them and was concerned for their ability to have enough strength to walk home. (2)
The disciples again are unbelieving and unthinking. It was a desolate place and they could not find a place to buy bread for 4,000 people. This is despite the fact that Jesus already fed 5,000 or more people from a boy’s sack lunch.
This time the disciples evidently had 7 loaves of bread and some fish. Jesus multiplied them to feed all of the crowd to satisfaction, and had 7 baskets left over.
This time he fed Gentiles rather than Jews. This event evidently occurs in the Decapolis. Jesus showed that he is the bread of life for Jews and Gentiles both. And, Mark shows his Roman readers that Jesus personally expresses compassion for the Gentile crowd.
Pharisees & Signs
8:10-13
After dismissing the crowd, Jesus and the disciples got into a boat and sail to another place. Dalmanutha is another name for Magdala, which is on the west side of the Sea of Galilee, back in territory that is more Jewish.
These verses are another of Mark’s sandwich insertions. He interrupted the story of the disciples and the bread to relate this story of an encounter with the Pharisees.
Mark makes it clear the Pharisees sought a confrontation. They came and began to argue with him. They are arguing that he is not the Messiah. Then they demand a sign from heaven for him to prove who he is. This means they literally demanded that the Father give a sign that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God.
Jesus sighed deeply. (12) The idea is of an inward groaning, or groaning in his spirit. It is a dismay or despair caused by the Pharisees lack of belief in him despite the miracles he has done and his teaching with authority. Their hearts are hardened against him.
Of course, Jesus did not do tricks for show. His miracles were usually at the request of those who had faith in him and approached him in humility. These Pharisees do neither. So, Jesus refused to give them a sign. He just left them, got in the boat, and went back across to the other side of the lake.
8:14-21
Back To The Bread Motif
The disciples are not looking good or smart in this story. Once they are in the boat, bread came into play again. The disciples realized they had only one loaf of bread. This is despite the fact that there were 7 baskets full of bread and fish left over from the previous miracle.
They were evidently discussing this lack of bread among themselves. Using the topic of bread as a metaphor, and fresh from the confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus broke into the conversation with a warning to watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, which would include the Jews who cooperated with Herod. (15) They were called Herodians.
These two groups have little in common. The Pharisees hated the Roman government and the Herodians cooperated with it. But neither believed in Jesus and both wanted to destroy him. So, they were joined in opposition to Jesus.
Leaven is a type of yeast. If you put it in bread dough, it spreads throughout the whole dough. Leaven is also often a symbol for sin in the New Testament. So, Jesus breaks into this discussion of bread to warn the disciples to avoid the corrupted teachings of these groups.
The Pharisees were self-righteous and legalistic. The Herodians were pragmatists, doing what worked for their betterment. Jesus wanted the disciples to avoid both. He also wanted them to avoid the hardness of heart exhibited by his opponents.
In response, the disciples began to discuss their lack of bread, having only one loaf. They seem oblivious to the fact that Jesus is trying to teach them something. They see his statement about leaven as being about bread.
Possibly more amazing, the disciples are concerned with having only one loaf of bread although Jesus has now twice demonstrated his ability to multiply the loaves.
Jesus appears exasperated, asking them why they are discussing having no bread. He questions them pointedly:
Do you not perceive or understand
Are you hearts hardened
Having eyes do you not see and having ears do you not understanding?
After his questions, Jesus walked them back through the two miraculous feedings and asks again if they understand. He is God and he can provide anything they need to live.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Their response is not recorded, if they responded. So, we cannot conclude that they did understand. Or, maybe they were too embarrassed to understand.
8:22-26
The Blind Man: An Object Lesson
Back in Bethsaida, on the north end of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus is confronted by people who wanted him to touch and heal a blind man.
Jesus led the man out of the village, indicating he did not want to make a spectacle of the healing. Then he engaged in a little ceremony, putting spit on his eyes. However, this time the man is not healed instantly. He sees better, but only shapes. So, Jesus did it again and he saw everythingclearly. (25)
Note that Jesus asked him if he saw anything. After feeding the 4,000, Jesus asked the disciples “do you not see”? (18) At this point, they only saw, or believed, partially.
This is the only time in this gospel that a healing takes place in stages. So, that means Mark is trying to convey a message. The next story shows this.
8:27-30
Peter’s Confession
Jesus took the disciples north to Cesarea Philippi, a full day’s walk from Bethsaida. As they walked, Jesus taught.
He asked them who people said he was. They repeated the speculation.
Some people thought he was the resurrected John the Baptist, or Elijah returned from heaven. Others thought he was the return of one of the other Old Testament prophets.
This shows us that, while many people wanted to see Jesus heal or listen to him teach, the did not know or believe who he was. They were blind. Many today are willing to call Jesus a prophet or great teacher, but reject his true identity.
After getting them to repeat of the speculation about him, Jesus asked them what they thought. This question intensifies the situation, calling on the disciples to confess their faith in who Jesus is. Amazingly, Peter declares, or confesses, that Jesus is the Christ (messiah). His confession represents the confession of the Twelve.
Despite his confession, the fact is that Peter did not understand what type of Messiah Jesus was. He also did not understand all that being a disciple and apostle would entail. He now had partial sight only, like the blind man after Jesus first touched him.
Jesus would soon teach him what all this meant.
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