The Gospel of Mark
Chapter 8: Christ in the Outside Place
In those days, there being again a great crowd, and they having nothing that they could eat, having called his disciples to [him], he says to them, I have compassion on the crowd, because they have stayed with me already three days and they have not anything they can eat, and if I should dismiss them to their home fasting, they will faint on the way; for some of them are come from far. And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to satisfy these with bread here in a desert place?
And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. And having taken the seven loaves, he gave thanks, and broke [them] and gave [them] to his disciples, that they might set [them] before [them]; and they set [them] before the crowd. And they had a few small fishes, and having blessed them, he desired these also to be set before [them]. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up of fragments that remained seven baskets. And they [that had eaten] were about four thousand; and he sent them away. And immediately going on board ship with his disciples, he came into the parts of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees went out and began to dispute against him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And groaning in his spirit, he says, Why does this generation seek a sign? Verily I say unto you, A sign shall in no wise be given to this generation. And he left them, and going again on board ship, went away to the other side. And they forgot to take bread, and save one loaf, they had not [any] with them in the ship. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and [of] the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned with one another, [saying], It is because we have no bread. And Jesus knowing [it], says to them, Why reason ye because ye have no bread? Do ye not yet perceive nor understand? Have ye your heart [yet] hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many hand-baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say to him, Twelve. And when the seven for the four thousand, the filling of how many baskets of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said to them, How do ye not yet understand? And he comes to Bethsaida; and they bring him a blind man, and beseech him that he might touch him. And taking hold of the hand of the blind man he led him forth out of the village, and having spit upon his eyes, he laid his hands upon him, and asked him if he beheld anything. And having looked up, he said, I behold men, for I see [them], as trees, walking. Then he laid his hands again upon his eyes, and he saw distinctly, and was restored and saw all things clearly. And he sent him to his house, saying, Neither enter into the village, nor tell [it] to any one in the village. And Jesus went forth and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea-Philippi. And by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am? And they answered him, saying, John the baptist; and others, Elias; but others, One of the prophets. And he asked them, But *ye*, who do ye say that I am? And Peter answering says to him, *Thou* art the Christ. And he charged them straitly, in order that they should tell no man about him. 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 of the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise [again]. And he spoke the thing openly. And Peter, taking him to [him], began to rebuke him. But he, turning round and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, Get away behind me, Satan, for thy mind is not on the things that are of God, but on the things that are of men. And having called the crowd with his disciples, he said to them, Whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever shall desire to save his life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it. For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul? for what should a man give in exchange for his soul? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the Son of man also be ashamed when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
In chapters 6 and 7, we observed how the presence of the Lord Jesus among people revealed the corruption and unbelief present in the social, political, and religious spheres. As every opportunity for grace was rejected, the Lord withdrew from the crowds and was found in solitary places: "in the desert," alone on "a mountain," and "walking upon the sea" (Mark 6:31, 46, 48).
In chapter 8, the Lord identifies His followers with Himself in this separated place and encourages them to follow Him (verses 1, 10, 27, 34). We learn about the fullness of the resources in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More available to those who pursue Him on the path of separation. He meets their needs (verses 1-9), silences opposers (verses 10-13), and grants spiritual vision to see clearly (verses 14-26). While we are warned that following ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More in a worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More that rejects Him will involve suffering, reproach, and present loss, we are also encouraged by the promise of the glory of the Kingdom to which this path of suffering leads. If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.
In the first miracle, where the Lord fed the five thousand, there is a distinct dispensational significance, as it served as a solemn witness that the One whom the nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More rejected was their true MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,... More. This miracle is followed by the Lord taking a place on the mountain as intercessor. At the same time, His disciples confront the world's opposition—a powerful image of Christ's current service on behalf of His people.
The second miracle of feeding the multitude carries a more moral significance, highlighting not only the resources ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More provides to meet His people's needs but also His compassion for those He cares for. Unlike the first miracle, where the disciples brought the people's needs to the Lord's attention, here everything flows from Him. He sees the need, calls the disciples to Himself, expresses His compassion, makes the people sit down in rest, takes what little resources are available, gives thanks for it, and distributes the food through the disciples to satisfy the people's needs.
Let us remember that He is the same today. He knows our needs and possesses both the heart to love and the hand to nourish and care for His people (Eph. 5:23, 25, 29). Too often, like the disciples, we recognize both the need and our inadequacy in meeting it with the little we have. However, if we, like the Lord, bring our small resources into touch with heaven and give thanks for them, we may find that God can multiply what we offer, not only fulfilling our needs but providing additional blessings.
In verses 10-13, we see a comparison to a previous occasion when the disciples entered a ship while the Lord went up into a mountain to pray for them (Mark 6:45-47). In this second instance, the Lord is "with His disciples," illustrating that He is not only interceding for us from above but also supporting us through the storms of life and in the face of opposition. This opposition is always targeted at Christ; thus, upon reaching land, we see that the Pharisees "began to dispute against Him" (N. Tr.). Despite ample signs having been given, their request for another signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... More only revealed their malice and disbelief.
The wickedness of humanity, however, serves to highlight the perfect heart of Christ. Their malicious opposition did not evoke anger from Him, as it often does for us; instead, He responded with sorrow and pity, "sighing deeply in His spirit." He asks a probing question: "Why does this generation seek after a sign?" Signs are pointless to those who, driven by malice, refuse to believe. This persistent refusal seals their own fate, as we read that the Lord "left them and departed to the other side." It is solemn indeed when men reject the Lord, but the condition of those from whom the Lord withdraws is far more dire.
(Verses 14-21) As the disciples entered the ship for the second time, they realized they had forgotten to bring bread. More importantly, they had forgotten the graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More and power of the Lord, who had previously met the needs of hungry multitudes. Preoccupied with their material concerns, they failed to understand the Lord's warning about the leavenA dough for the production of baked goods that is usually kept in fermentation by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The fermentation process is stopped when leaven is exposed to... More of the PhariseesThe Pharisees were a small but influential religious group at the time of the New Testament. They demanded a strict separation from the lifestyle and practices of the gentiles and... More and the leavenA dough for the production of baked goods that is usually kept in fermentation by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The fermentation process is stopped when leaven is exposed to... More of Herod. Although they were called to follow ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More and separate themselves from the corrupt worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, they, like many believers today, were in danger of being influenced by the opportunistic spirit of the political worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, exemplified by the Herodians, or by a form of godliness devoid of real power, as seen with the PhariseesThe Pharisees were a small but influential religious group at the time of the New Testament. They demanded a strict separation from the lifestyle and practices of the gentiles and... More.
Similar to ourselves, the disciples reasoned about the Lord's words and failed to grasp their spiritual significance, reducing them to mere human understanding. The Lord rebuked them for their lack of spiritual perception and their short memories regarding His grace and power. He posed some probing questions that we should reflect on ourselves: "Why do you reason?" "Why do you not yet perceive or understand?" "Is your heart still hardened?" "Do you not remember?"
At times, instead of confronting facts and listening to the truth, we tend to "reason," allowing our natural reasoning to cloud our spiritual understanding. Behind the confusion of our natural selves often lies the hardness of heart that comes from quickly forgetting His grace and love—we do "not remember." These probing questions are relevant for all believers, as they were directed not at opponents but to true disciples.
(Verses 22-26) The case of the blind man illustrates the difference between the nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More and the disciples. The nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More, as a whole, was in a state of total blindness. The disciples, although true believers, lacked spiritual insight at that time. They recognized Him as the true MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,... More but were hindered by their Jewish prejudices and habitual ways of thinking from fully grasping His deeper glories as the Son of Man"Son of Man" is a designation for our Lord Jesus Christ. In many Scriptures, it means that He really became man through His birth (Gal 4:4). Like every human being,... More and Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More. For this reason, they needed to be separated from the nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More, which is why the Lord led the man out of the town, just as He had previously taken the deaf and dumb man aside from the crowd.
At first, the blind man received sight, but he could not fully comprehend what he saw. He remarked, "I see men as trees walking." The disciples were in a similar spiritual condition; they struggled to recognize the glory of the Lord because of an inflated view of human importance. We need not only the grace to receive sight but also the grace to properly use that sight so we may see "every man clearly"—to perceive people as they truly are, to acknowledge our own weaknesses, and most importantly, to recognize Jesus in all His perfection.
The Lord instructed the man to return to his house and not to go back to the town or tell anyone in the town. The time for testimony to the nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More at large was over.
(Verses 27-33) The conversation that follows between the Lord and His disciples highlights not only the unbelief of the natural man but also how little the true disciples understood His mission and glory. The critical question then, as now, is: "Who do men say that I am?" All glory for God and blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More for humanity hinge on the Person of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. It became evident that mere human intelligence would never be able to ascertain the truth. Despite many scholars of the day possessing great intellectual abilities, their thoughts about ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More ended in speculation and uncertainty. Some claimed He was John the Baptist, others said He was Elijah, and still others believed He was one of the prophets. None of them arrived at the truth.
In contrast, Peter—an uneducated man when compared to the intellectual leaders of his time—exhibited the result of simple faith. Faith does not speculate or reason; it directly attains the truth, as faith is a gift from God. Thus, Peter boldly declared, "Thou art the Christ."
The Lord then charged them not to tell anyone about Him. The nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More had rejected him, so for the time being, His positionThe Christian position cannot be separated from Christian practice, but a distinction must be made. "Position" means how God sees us now. In the eyes of God, we are "in... More as the MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,... More was set aside. The Lord adopted the broader title of Son of Man"Son of Man" is a designation for our Lord Jesus Christ. In many Scriptures, it means that He really became man through His birth (Gal 4:4). Like every human being,... More, which encompasses greater glories than that of earthly dominion in relation to Israel, for as the Son of Man"Son of Man" is a designation for our Lord Jesus Christ. In many Scriptures, it means that He really became man through His birth (Gal 4:4). Like every human being,... More, He will have universal authority over all creation. However, before He can assume this role with all things under His authority and extend His graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More to all humanity, He must first undergo death, accomplish redemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More, and defeat the powers of SatanThe Bible introduces us to the great adversary of God in Rev 20:2 under four terms: • Dragon • Old Serpent • Devil • Satan Under the term 'Satan,' the... More, death, and the grave. With the cross in view, He began teaching His disciples openly that the Son of Man"Son of Man" is a designation for our Lord Jesus Christ. In many Scriptures, it means that He really became man through His birth (Gal 4:4). Like every human being,... More must suffer many things, be rejected and killed, and after three days rise again. The time had come to speak plainly to the disciples, moving away from the use of parables.
It becomes evident that while the disciples had true faith in Christ, they, like the man who received only partial sight, could only dimly perceive the glory of the Lord as the Son of Man. Peter found it intolerable that his Master and Lord should be despised and rejected by men, leading him to rebuke the Lord. Understanding the impact of Peter's words on the disciples, the Lord gazed at them and said, "Get thee behind me, Satan; for your mind is not on the things of God, but on the things of men." (N. Tr.). It is solemn to realize that, as true believers, we can make statements with utmost sincerity that actually originate from SatanThe Bible introduces us to the great adversary of God in Rev 20:2 under four terms: • Dragon • Old Serpent • Devil • Satan Under the term 'Satan,' the... More. Peter may have believed he was expressing a loving sentiment for his Master. In reality, however, he was unwittingly doing the work of SatanThe Bible introduces us to the great adversary of God in Rev 20:2 under four terms: • Dragon • Old Serpent • Devil • Satan Under the term 'Satan,' the... More by seeking to divert the Lord from the path of obedience to the Father's will, thus putting a stumbling block before the disciples. He was viewing everything from a purely human perspective; at that moment, he saw men as trees walking.
In verses 34-38, the Lord called the people to Him, along with His disciples, and redirected their thoughts away from "the things of men" by instructing them about the mind of God. If they wanted to follow Him into the new worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More of blessings and glory that He was revealing as the Son of Man"Son of Man" is a designation for our Lord Jesus Christ. In many Scriptures, it means that He really became man through His birth (Gal 4:4). Like every human being,... More, they needed to be prepared for His experience of suffering and rejection in this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. This suffering does not refer to the expiatory suffering of being forsaken by God but rather to enduring the contradictions of sinners and suffering at the hands of men—something that, to some degree, believers may also share, even to the point of martyrdom. To follow ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More in a worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More that has rejected Him requires denying oneself, letting go of the present life, and refusing the influences of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. Regardless of the challenges this path presents, it leads to the glory of the day when the Son of Man"Son of Man" is a designation for our Lord Jesus Christ. In many Scriptures, it means that He really became man through His birth (Gal 4:4). Like every human being,... More will return in the glory of His Father, accompanied by the holy angels.
By contemplating the Lord Jesus as presented in this chapter, we see Him in an outside place with His own, possessing perfect knowledge of our needs, with a heart that empathizes with us, and a hand that provides for us. To follow Him means that we not only walk where He walked—outside of societal acceptance—but also walk as He walked. In our own limited way, we will develop hearts moved by compassion for the needs of others; we will express gratitude for God's mercies, and we will encounter opposition without resentment, but rather with sorrow in our hearts. We, too, will deny ourselves, accept the path of reproach, reject the present life, and resist the current evil worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, all while looking forward to the glory of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More to come. This mirrors His example, as He, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of God (Heb. 12:2-3).
