Study Passage : Mark 8
Point of the Passage [Outline or Summary]
1-10
Jesus feeds the four thousand with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. He went to Dalmanutha.
11-21
Jesus rejected Pharisees' request for a sign from heaven, crossing to the other side by boat. Jesus told the disciples to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod. When they didn't understatnd it, Jesus wanted them to understand it's not a matter of food, but of other things by helping them think what he had done for the crowd to feed them.
22-26
Jesus healed a blind man in person by spitting on the eyes and placing his hands on him twice. His eyesight was completely restored after the second placing. Jesus warned him not to go into the village.
27-38
On the way to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked the disciples who he was. Peter answered he was the Christ. Then Jesus began teaching them his death and resurrection. Jesus rebuked Peter who rebuked Jesus. Jesus said that the disciples should take up his cross losing his life for Jesus and the gospel for their soul. Jesus wanted us to identify himself in this generation.
Pararell of the Passage
| Verse | Reference | Key thought |
| 2 | Matthew 9:36 | When Jesus saw the crowd, he had compassion on them. |
| 35 | Mark 10:29-30 | Everyone who has left everything for Jesus and the gospel will receive a hundred times as much. |
| 36 | Matthew 4:8-9 | Jesus preserved his soul when being tempted by Satan who showed him all the splendor in the world. |
| 38 | 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 | Jesus Christ will come again. |
Problems of the Passage
| Verse | Question |
| 15 | What is the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod? - In Luke 23:8-11, Herod did not concern who Jesus was but only hoped to see some miracles. Here, the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven. Also, in Matthew 23, Jesus severely rebuked Pharisees and the teachers of the law for their hypocracy, their pride, their false teaching, their ritual behaviour, their inner wickedness and their murder of prophets. |
| 15 | Does 'watch out' have double meaning in lexcion? - It seemed that the disciples understood 'watch out' means taking heed to (In Greek, it has that meaning, too.) |
| 26, 30 | Why did Jesus warned the people not to tell anyone his miracle or who he is? - Jesus challenged people that they should believe he is the Son of God and Messiah (John chapter 3-chapter 6) in early days of his ministry. However, here in Mark 8, Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone about him(30). Why? I understand this in context. Right after this, Jesus began teaching them his death and resurrection very plainly. It's the Messiah's work prophesied in the prophets (Isaiah 53). However, in those days, even his disciples understand that Messiah will restore the kingdom to Israel and reign as a king (Acts 1:6-7). Thus, people in Isreal in those days expect that Messiah (that is Christ) will restore the kingdom to Israel. On the contrary, Jesus knew that he suffered and would be killed and after three days rise again. It's the same case in John 6. They intended to make Jesus a king by force after he fed five thousand. Though Jesus is a real king (John 18:37), he withdrew to a mountain alone. So here wanring not to tell anyone about him implies that he has to do everything in right time and procedure. In John 2, Jesus knew what was in a man, so he would not entrust himself to them. It (understanding Christ only as a king of Israel) does not help their real spiritual born-again. They have to know first his cross and resurrection. |
| 32 | What is the exact meaning of 'rebuke' here? - Paul rebuked Jesus. In the representative and authoritative English bibles such as NIV, NASB, ESV, NLT, KJV, this is translated into 'rebuke' or 'reprimand'. |
Profit of the Passage
Jesus is a real king and Messiah. Jesus did not want them to understand he is merely a king who will restore the kingdom to Israel. He is the Messiah who will be killed and rise again.
When I read the scriptures, I have to fix my eyes on Jesus himself. Through right understanding who Jesus is, I can see myself as I am, too. In my reading time, I need to focus Jesus more, who he is.
By God's grace I never pass a day without reading once a year bible plan of the Navigators in a few years. I want to keep this habit. However, I am feeling that I have to make this reading time more enjoyable and energetic being fed on my spirit. (literally the time to eat meal, spiritual food)
To feed my spirit, I have to focus more who Jesus is in my daily reading. And one thing I can find about Jesus, I will praise God with those understanding in my prayer.