Mark - Chapter 8
8:1-21
The Feeding of the Four Thousand:
“Do you not yet understand?”
Our chapter begins with the remarkable question by the disciples saying how can one feed these men with bread here in the desert? It is remarkable because these same disciples had recently seen an almost identical situation in the feeding of the five thousand in another desert place. The dullness of the disciples creates a difficult instance of faith. The placement of this story just after the incidents at Tyre and Sidon and also at Decapolis points us toward a Gentile setting for this present story. The Lord's Table element observed at the previous miracle feeding (6:30-44) in made more pointed by the term used here of having given thanks before the distribution of the bread. Once more Jesus sustains those around Him both by the physical bread of man and the bread of life.
Inside this miracle story is contained further evidence of the conflict with the Pharisees. While the scene has shifted from the previous feeding, and the Pharisees may not have been currently present, we are told that they continue to ask for a sign. The rigid Jewish leaders have repeatedly been in the presence of His mighty works and yet they still ask for a sign. A sign from heaven required by the Pharisees seems to mean some proof that Jesus is the Messiah. The point here is that for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, there has already been sufficient evidence given that He is God's anointed one. We are told that the Pharisees come to argue with Him and to test Him. They seek a sign not to teach them for they think they alone already know how God works. They only want to judge Jesus against their own false preconceived notions. In sadness and in anger at their stubborn blindness, Jesus refuses their demand and moves on.
The next discussion concerning what has just taken place brings a warning to the disciples concerning the leaven of the Pharisees appearing to mean the failure of these Temple leaders to repent and respond in faith to the message Jesus brings. The misunderstanding of the disciples is in focus by the repeated question of Jesus.
“Do you not yet understand?”
They had discussed that they had no bread. Like the Pharisees, they fail to discern who Jesus is and what He is about. Their dullness, like the rejection by the Pharisees, is a form of blindness. This portion of the passage harkens us back to Jeremiah 5 where this question begins: “... having eyes do you not see...” This blindness will be further highlighted shortly in another miracle moment.
On the one hand, the disciples should have understood more than they did on the basis of their previous experience. On the other hand, they cannot really understand who Jesus is until they have followed from this place to Jerusalem, to the cross, and to the empty tomb.
“... do you not understand...” is an invitation for us to read on in Mark's gospel, and in our own lives to stay with Jesus until we do understand.
8:22-26
The Blind Man of Bethsaida:
In Mark, for once, the miracle work by Jesus to heal someone seems not to be immediately successful. The need for a second touch to complete the healing may be the reason we do not see this story in Matthew or Luke. Yet, this two stage moment is precisely the point of this moment, tying is closely and clearly to disciples today.
In the initial healing gesture, Jesus uses saliva by spitting on the man's eyes and laying His hands upon him. In light of the word “again” in verse 25 Jesus does not use a healing command but rather asks a question. This question gives the man a chance to confirm a partial cure, preparing him for the next step in the healing. Jesus lays hands upon the man's eyes again and then made him look up and sight was restored. Jesus then commands him not to even enter the village (possibly to maintain secrecy for the time being).
“Seeing” in this passage brings two levels of meaning. At the first level, seeing refers to physical vision. The passage once more confirms Jesus has the authority and power to heal physical needs. At a second, and symbolic, level seeing refers to inner perception or understanding. So far, Mark's writing has assured us of the wonder working power of Jesus, His authority to forgive sins, and His enormous growing popularity with common people. But this represents only a partial view (or sight) of who He is. Just as the disciples, we as readers today are invited to look again and more intently to how this story in unfolding before our own eyes.
This portion of Mark begins a transition from now until the end of chapter 10 to explain that Jesus now confronts His disciples with a different Christ. This different Messiah must must be rejected, must suffer, and must die, and only then will be raised again. He speaks of discipleship which will contain not only power and glory but also lowly service and loss of life here. The way of Jesus leads to a cross at Golgotha, not to worldly glory of sitting in seats beside a throne. The goal of the “second touch” is really to properly see those things (by looking up) and thereby to see all things clearly.
8:27-30
Peter's Confession:
Jesus and His disciples are moving toward the villages around Caesarea Philippi. Jesus invites the chosen ones to look back across the ministry in Galilee and to reflect on who He is and to look ahead and understand that they are now fully “on the way” not only to Caesarea Philippi but also to Jerusalem, to suffering, to death, and to the resurrection.
Removed from Galilee and Jerusalem for now but with both in view, it seems a good time to reflect as Jesus asks “Who do men say that I am?” and then for personal confrontation “Who do you say that I am?”. In this moment of withdrawal Peter, speaking for all the chosen men, says what we as readers have known from the start, “You are the Christ”.
Like the blind man whom Jesus asked “... do you see anything...?” He knows the disciples do not yet see clearly. What does being Christ mean?
His teaching takes on a new meaning. Up to now, His teaching has been by signs and wonders and healings. Now he will focus upon His rejection and death. This change is seen in verse 31 where Jesus substitutes the phrase Son of Man for the word Peter spoke, which was Christ. In Mark this is the only title Jesus uses for Himself. He now redefines Christ in more human terms.
Obedient to God, Jesus is on a collision course with the religious leaders but they are not the only ones who seem not to accept His truth. So does Peter, and he speaks for all disciples.
8:32-33
Conflict with Peter:
Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him. These words imply turning Jesus aside and trying to verbally show authority. Jesus will not allow Himself to be patronized. His very sharp reply “Get thee behind me Satan...” cuts Peter in two ways. First, the use of “Satan” recalls the temptation of Jesus where Jesus was tempted to think that God's anointed one could avoid suffering and rejection and gain the world without the way of the cross and its humiliation. This is Peter's human way of thinking and Jesus identifies it as a devil of an idea. Second, the rebuke of Jesus reminds Peter where disciples belong, “behind me”. Disciples are not to guide, protect, or possess Jesus. They are to follow Him.
Our lesson here is clear. Who are we? We are to be disciples, learners who follow Him to gain the lessons He has for us. What we must learn above all is to follow His obedience to the will of God and it will mean suffering through the death of ourselves, in ego, heart, and spirit. We are not to be ashamed of him or of His lowly way for if we are, we will later be shamed by Him as He comes in glory.
Mark 8:38:
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation: of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels”