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Mark Chapter
Eight
Mark 8
We shall find in chapter 8 another example of that which
we have been noticing. Jesus leads the blind man out of the town. He does not
forsake Israel wherever there is faith; but He separates the one who possesses
it from the mass
and brings him into connection with the power
the grace
the
heaven
whence blessing flowed-blessing consequently which extended to the
Gentiles. Power was not exercised in the midst of manifest unbelief. This
clearly marks out the position of Christ with regard to the people. He pursues
His service
but He retires to God because of Israel's unbelief: but it is to
the God of all grace. There His heart found refuge till the great hour of
atonement.
It is on this account
as it appears to me
that we have (chap. 8) the
second miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. The Lord acts again in
favour of Israel
no longer as administering Messianic power in the midst of
the people (which was implied
as we have seen
in the number twelve)
but in
spite of His rejection by Israel
continuing to exercise His power in a divine
manner and apart from man. The number seven [1] has always the force of superhuman
perfection-that which is complete: this however applied to what is complete in
the power of evil as well as good
when it is not human and subordinate to God.
Here it is divine. It is that intervention of God which is unwearied
and which
is according to His own power
which it is the principal object of the
repetition of the miracle to display.
Afterwards the condition both of the heads of Israel and
of the remnant is displayed. The Pharisees require a sign; but no sign should
be given to that generation. It was simply unbelief when abundant proofs of who
He was were before them; they were the very things which had led to the demand.
The Lord departs from them. But the blind and unintelligent condition of the
remnant is also manifested. The Lord warns them to beware of the spirit and the
teaching of the Pharisees
the false pretenders to a holy zeal for God; and of
the Herodians
the servile votaries of the spirit of the world
who
to please
the emperor
set God entirely aside.
In using the word "leaven
" the Lord gives the disciples
occasion to shew their deficiency in spiritual intelligence. If the Jews learnt
nothing from the Lord's miracles
but still asked for signs
even the disciples
did not realise the divine power manifested in them. I do not doubt that this
condition is set forth in the blind man of Bethsaida.
Jesus takes him by the hand and leads him out of the
town
away from the multitude
and uses that which was of Himself
that which
possessed the efficacy of His own Person
to perform the cure. [2] The first effect well depicts the condition
of the disciples. They saw
doubtless
but in a confused manner
"men
as
trees
walking." But the Lord's love is not wearied by their unbelieving
dullness of intelligence; He acts according to the power of His own intention
towards them
and causes them to see clearly. Afterwards-away from Israel-the
uncertainty of unbelief is seen in juxtaposition with the certainty of faith
(however obscure its intelligence may be)
and Jesus
forbidding the disciples
to speak of that which they certainly believed (the time was gone by for
convincing Israel of Christ's rights as Messiah)
announces to them that which
should happen to Himself
for the accomplishment of God's purposes in grace as
Son of man
after His rejection by Israel. [3] So
that everything is now
as we may say
in its place. Israel does not recognise
the Messiah in Jesus; consequently He no longer addresses the people in that
character. His disciples believe Him to be the Messiah
and He tells them of
His death and resurrection.
Now there may be (and it is a most important practical truth) true
faith
without the heart being formed according to the full revelation of
Christ
and without the flesh being practically crucified in proportion to the
measure of knowledge one has of the object of faith. Peter acknowledged indeed
by the teaching of God
that Jesus was the Christ; but he was far from having
his heart pure according to the mind of God in Christ. And when the Lord
announces His rejection
humiliation and death
and that before all the world
the flesh of Peter-wounded by the idea of a Master thus despised and
rejected-shews its energy by daring to rebuke the Lord Himself. This attempt of
Satan's to discourage the disciples by the dishonour of the cross stirs up the
Lord's heart. All His affection for His disciples
and the sight of those poor
sheep before whom the enemy was putting a stumbling block
bring a vehement
censure upon Peter
as being the instrument of Satan and speaking on his part.
Alas for us! the reason was plain-he savoured the things of men
and not those
of God; for the cross comprises in itself all the glory of God. Man prefers the
glory of man
and thus Satan governs him. The Lord calls the people and His
disciples
and explains distinctly to them that if they would follow Him
they
must take part with Him
and bear their cross. For thus
in losing their life
they would save it
and the soul was worth all beside. Moreover
if any one was
ashamed of Jesus and of His words
the Son of man would be ashamed of him
when
He should come in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. For glory
belonged to Him
whatever might be His humiliation. He then sets this before
His chief disciples
in order to strengthen their faith.
[1] It
may be remarked that seven is the highest prime
that is indivisible
number;
twelve
the most divisible there is.
[2]
Spittle
in connection with the sanctity of the Rabbis
was highly esteemed by
the Jews in this respect; but here its efficacy is connected with the Person of
Him who used it.
[3] We
have nothing here of the church
nor of the keys of the kingdom These depend on
what is not introduced here as a part of Peter's confession-the Son of the
living God. We have the glory of the kingdom coming in power
in contrast with
the rejected Christ the prophet-servant in Israel.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Mark》
Mark 8
Chapter Contents
Four thousand fed by a miracle. (1-10) Christ cautions
against the Pharisees and Herodians. (11-21) A blind man healed. (22-26)
Peter's testimony to Christ. (27-33) Christ must be followed. (34-38)
Commentary on Mark 8:1-10
(Read Mark 8:1-10)
Our Lord Jesus encouraged the meanest to come to him for
life and grace. Christ knows and considers our frames. The bounty of Christ is
always ready; to show that
he repeated this miracle. His favours are renewed
as our wants and necessities are. And those need not fear want
who have Christ
to live upon by faith
and do so with thanksgiving.
Commentary on Mark 8:11-21
(Read Mark 8:11-21)
Obstinate unbelief will have something to say
though
ever so unreasonable. Christ refused to answer their demand. If they will not
be convinced
they shall not. Alas! what cause we have to lament for those
around us
who destroy themselves and others by their perverse and obstinate
unbelief
and enmity to the gospel! When we forget the works of God
and
distrust him
we should chide ourselves severely
as Christ here reproves his
disciples. How is it that we so often mistake his meaning
disregard his
warnings
and distrust his providence?
Commentary on Mark 8:22-26
(Read Mark 8:22-26)
Here is a blind man brought to Christ by his friends.
Therein appeared the faith of those that brought him. If those who are
spiritually blind
do not pray for themselves
yet their friends and relations
should pray for them
that Christ would be pleased to touch them. The cure was
wrought gradually
which was not usual in our Lord's miracles. Christ showed in
what method those commonly are healed by his grace
who by nature are
spiritually blind. At first
their knowledge is confused; but
like the light
of the morning
it shines more and more to the perfect day
and then they see
all things clearly. Slighting Christ's favours is forfeiting them; and he will
make those who do so know the worth of privileges by the want of them.
Commentary on Mark 8:27-33
(Read Mark 8:27-33)
These things are written
that we may believe that Jesus
is the Christ
the Son of God. These miracles of our Lord assure us that he was
not conquered
but a Conqueror. Now the disciples are convinced that Jesus is
the Christ; they may bear to hear of his sufferings
of which Christ here
begins to give them notice. He sees that amiss in what we say and do
of which
we ourselves are not aware
and knows what manner of spirit we are of
when we
ourselves do not. The wisdom of man is folly
when it pretends to limit the
Divine counsels. Peter did not rightly understand the nature of Christ's
kingdom.
Commentary on Mark 8:34-38
(Read Mark 8:34-38)
Frequent notice is taken of the great flocking there was
to Christ for help in various cases. All are concerned to know this
if they
expect him to heal their souls. They must not indulge the ease of the body. As
the happiness of heaven with Christ
is enough to make up for the loss of life
itself for him
so the gain of all the world in sin
will not make up for the
ruin of the soul by sin. And there is a day coming
when the cause of Christ
will appear as glorious
as some now think it mean and contemptible. May we
think of that season
and view every earthly object as we shall do at that
great day.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Mark》
Mark 8
Verse 8
[8] So
they did eat
and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was
left seven baskets.
So they did eat —
This miracle was intended to demonstrate
that Christ was the true bread which
cometh down from heaven; for he who was almighty to create bread without means
to support natural life
could not want power to create bread without means to
support spiritual life. And this heavenly bread we stand so much in need of
every moment
that we ought to be always praying
Lord
evermore give us this
bread.
Verse 11
[11] And the Pharisees came forth
and began to question with him
seeking of
him a sign from heaven
tempting him.
Tempting him —
That is
trying to ensnare him. Matthew 16:1.
Verse 12
[12] And
he sighed deeply in his spirit
and saith
Why doth this generation seek after
a sign? verily I say unto you
There shall no sign be given unto this
generation.
Verse 15
[15] And
he charged them
saying
Take heed
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
and
of the leaven of Herod.
Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of
Herod
or of the Sadducees; two opposite extremes. 17
18. Our Lord here affirms
of all the apostles
(for the question is equivalent to an affirmation
) That
their hearts were hardened; that having eyes they saw not
having ears they
heard not; that they did not consider
neither understand: the very same
expressions that occur in the thirteenth of Matthew. And yet it is certain they
were not judicially hardened. Therefore all these strong expressions do not
necessarily import any thing more than the present want of spiritual
understanding.
Verse 23
[23] And he took the blind man by the hand
and led him out of the town; and
when he had spit on his eyes
and put his hands upon him
he asked him if he
saw ought.
He led him out of the town — It was in just displeasure against the inhabitants of Bethsaida for
their obstinate infidelity
that our Lord would work no more miracles among
them
nor even suffer the person he had cured
either to go into the town
or
to tell it to any therein.
Verse 24
[24] And
he looked up
and said
I see men as trees
walking.
I see men as trees walking — He distinguished men from trees only by their motion.
Verse 27
[27] And
Jesus went out
and his disciples
into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by
the way he asked his disciples
saying unto them
Whom do men say that I am?
Verse 30
[30] And
he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
He enjoined them silence for the present
1.
That he might not encourage the people to set him up for a temporal king; 2.
That he might not provoke the scribes and Pharisees to destroy him before the
time and
3. That he might not forestall the bright evidence which was to be
given of his Divine character after his resurrection.
Verse 31
[31] And
he began to teach them
that the Son of man must suffer many things
and be
rejected of the elders
and of the chief priests
and scribes
and be killed
and after three days rise again.
Verse 32
[32] And
he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him
and began to rebuke him.
He spake that saying openly — Or in express terms. Till now he had only intimated it to them.
And Peter taking hold of him — Perhaps by the arms or clothes.
Verse 33
[33] But
when he had turned about and looked on his disciples
he rebuked Peter
saying
Get thee behind me
Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God
but the things that be of men.
Looking on his disciples — That they might the more observe what he said to Peter.
Verse 34
[34] And
when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also
he said unto
them
Whosoever will come after me
let him deny himself
and take up his
cross
and follow me.
And when he called the people — To hear a truth of the last importance
and one that equally concerned
them all.
Let him deny himself — His own will
in all things small and great
however pleasing
and that
continually: And take up his cross - Embrace the will of God
however painful
daily
hourly
continually. Thus only can he follow me in holiness to glory.
Verse 35
[35] For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life
for my sake and the gospel's
the same shall save it.
Matthew 16:25; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; John 12:25.
Verse 38
[38]
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of 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.
Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my
words — That is
avowing whatever I have said
(particularly of self denial and the daily cross) both by word and action. Matthew 10:32; Luke 9:26; Luke 12:8.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Mark》
Chapter 8. Feed Four Thousand
Send Hungry
People Home
Satisfy the People
I. Supply the
Needs
II. A Blind Man
at Bethsaida
III. Ask
Disciples "Who I Am"
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》