Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Mark: Chapter 8]
hearts like a beaten path, into which the higher truths cannot
sink so as to germinate" (Bruce).
8:18 See on ¯17.
8:19 See on ¯17.
8:20 See on ¯17.
8:21 {Do ye not yet understand?} (\oup• suniete;\). After all
this rebuke and explanation. The greatest of all teachers had the
greatest of all classes, but he struck a snag here. Mt 16:12
gives the result: "Then they understood how that he bade them not
beware of the loaves of bread, but of the teaching of the
Pharisees and Sadducees." They had once said that they understood
the parables of Jesus (Mt 13:51). But that was a long time ago.
The teacher must have patience if his pupils are to understand.
8:22 {Unto Bethsaida} (\eis B•thsaidan\). On the Eastern side not
far from the place of the feeding of the five thousand, Bethsaida
Julias. Note dramatic presents {they come} (\erchontai\), {they
bring} (\pherousin\). This incident in Mark alone (verses
22-26).
8:23 {Brought him out of the village} (\ex•negken auton ex• t•s
k•m•s\). It had been a village, but Philip had enlarged it and
made it a town or city (\polis\), though still called a village
(verses 23,26). As in the case of the deaf and dumb demoniac
given also alone by Mark (Mr 7:31-37), so here Jesus observes
the utmost secrecy in performing the miracle for reasons not
given by Mark. It was the season of retirement and Jesus is
making the fourth withdrawal from Galilee. That fact may explain
it. The various touches here are of interest also. Jesus led him
out by the hand, put spittle on his eyes (using the poetical and
_Koin•_ papyri word \ommata\ instead of the usual \opthalmous\),
and laid his hands upon him, perhaps all this to help the man's
faith.
8:24 {I see men, for I behold them as trees walking} (\Blep• tous
anthr•pous hoti h•s dendra hor• peripatountas\). A vivid
description of dawning sight. His vision was incomplete though he
could tell that they were men because they were walking. This is
the single case of a gradual cure in the healings wrought by
Jesus. The reason for this method in this case is not given.
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