Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Mark
Chapter 8: Thou Art the Christ
Mark 8 stands at the turning point of the Gospel, where seeing Jesus rightly meets the shadow of the cross. He feeds four thousand from seven loaves, yet the Pharisees demand a sign and the disciples remain slow to understand, prompting His question, 'Having eyes, see ye not?' At Bethsaida He heals a blind man in two stages, a living parable of gradual sight. Then at Caesarea Philippi comes the great confession: to 'Whom say ye that I am?', Peter answers, 'Thou art the Christ.' But when Jesus begins to teach that 'the Son of man must suffer many things... and be killed, and after three days rise again,' Peter rebukes Him, and hears, 'Get thee behind me, Satan.' Jesus then calls all who would follow Him to deny themselves and take up the cross, 'for whosoever will save his life shall lose it.' The chapter moves from partial sight to full confession, and from confession straight to the cross the Christ came to bear.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Mark chapter 8. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Here Jesus feeds the four thousand, heals a blind man, receives Peter's confession, and foretells His cross. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
Having Eyes, See Ye Not?
He feeds four thousand, yet the disciples are slow to understand.
I See Men as Trees
A blind man is healed in two stages, a picture of gradual sight.
Thou Art the Christ
To the great question, Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah.
Take Up Thy Cross
The Christ must suffer, and His followers must lose their lives to find them.
Do Ye Not Yet Understand? (Mark 8:1-21)
Jesus feeds a great multitude, refuses a sign to the hardened, and grieves that even His disciples are slow to see.
Beware of the Leaven
"In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. 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. And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither 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 brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?"
Word Study
"sighed deeply," Greek anastenazo (ἀναστενάζω). The word means to groan or sigh from the depths, a heaving sigh drawn up from within. When the Pharisees demand "a sign from heaven" after all He has done, Jesus "sighed deeply in his spirit." It is the grief of God over stubborn unbelief, the same heart that groaned over the deaf man's brokenness now groans over hardened hearts. Their problem was never lack of evidence but unwillingness to believe; no sign would satisfy a heart set against Him. The Saviour's deep sigh reveals how unbelief wounds the heart of God.
Explanation
Jesus feeds four thousand in Gentile country, and yet the disciples, worrying about a single loaf in the boat, prove as dull as the crowds. He warns of "the leaven of the Pharisees, and... of Herod" -- the pervasive corruption of unbelief and worldly power -- and then presses them with a string of questions: "having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?" Twice they have watched Him feed multitudes, and still they do not perceive who He is. Mark sets up the crisis of the whole book: the disciples have seen everything and understood almost nothing.
Gospel Focus
The chapter opens with the feeding of the four thousand, a distinct miracle from the five thousand, again showing the Lord's compassion: "I have compassion on the multitude." From "seven loaves" and a few fish, He feeds a great crowd with baskets to spare. Yet immediately the Pharisees demand "a sign from heaven, tempting him," and Jesus "sighed deeply." A heart set against God is not won by more miracles; He refuses them a sign. Then, crossing the sea, He warns the disciples, "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod", the corrupting influence of hypocritical religion and worldly, godless politics, both of which spread quietly and poison the whole. But the disciples, thinking only of physical bread, miss His meaning entirely. Jesus' response is a string of searching questions that expose their dullness: "perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?" He reminds them of the twelve baskets and the seven baskets left over from the two feedings, could they not trust the One who multiplied bread to provide again? "How is it that ye do not understand?" This is a sobering passage about spiritual dullness even in true disciples. They had seen His miracles yet failed to grasp who He was and to trust Him; their hearts were slow, almost hardened. It is a warning to us: we too can witness God's provision again and again and still fret and doubt at the next need, forgetting what He has done. Guard against the leaven that dulls the heart, and remember His works, that you may trust Him. The One who fed the four thousand grieves when His own do not yet see; ask Him to open your eyes.
But Whom Say Ye That I Am? (Mark 8:22-30)
A blind man given sight in stages sets the scene for Peter's confession, itself a sight still needing to be completed.
I See Men as Trees, Walking
"And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 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. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town. 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? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him."
Word Study
"the Christ," Greek ho Christos (ὁ Χριστός). The word means "the Anointed One," the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," the long-promised King and Deliverer. Peter's confession, "Thou art the Christ," is the true and central answer to the question the whole Gospel has been raising. Yet Mark places it right after a blind man healed in two stages, and just before Peter stumbles over the cross, hinting that Peter's sight, though real, was not yet complete. He saw that Jesus was the Christ, but not yet what kind of Christ, one who must suffer and die.
Explanation
Mark places a unique two-stage healing here on purpose: a blind man at Bethsaida first sees "men as trees, walking," and only after a second touch sees clearly. It is a living parable of the disciples' condition -- and immediately Peter, at Caesarea Philippi, half-sees: "Thou art the Christ." The confession is true, the sight partial, for Peter has the title right but not yet the cross. Like the blind man, the disciples need a second touch before they see the whole truth of who Jesus is and what He came to do. Recognizing Christ is a sight only God can give, and often it comes in stages.
Gospel Focus
Mark tells of a unique miracle: a blind man healed not instantly but in two stages. After Jesus first touches him, the man sees, but dimly, "I see men as trees, walking." Then Jesus lays hands on him again, "and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." This is the only miracle Jesus performed in stages, and its placement is deliberate. It is a living parable of the disciples, and of us, coming to see who Jesus is by degrees. For immediately after, at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks the great question. First, what do others say? "John the Baptist... Elias... One of the prophets", all high honor, all wrong. Then the question that every soul must answer: "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter speaks for them all, and speaks the truth: "Thou art the Christ", the Messiah, the promised King. This is the confession on which faith rests, the great turning point of the Gospel. And yet, like the blind man's first sight, Peter's confession was real but not yet complete. He saw that Jesus was the Christ; he did not yet see that the Christ must go to a cross, as the next verses reveal. There is comfort and instruction here. Sometimes spiritual sight comes gradually. A person may see Christ truly, yet still see Him partly, needing His touch again to see clearly. Do not despise a beginning of sight, and do not stop there; let Christ lay His hands on your eyes again until you see Him fully. The right answer to His question is Peter's, "Thou art the Christ." But to confess Him as Christ is only the beginning; we must go on to see the Christ who was crucified and risen, and follow Him.
Let Him Deny Himself, and Take Up His Cross (Mark 8:31-38)
The Christ must suffer, and all who follow Him must lose their lives to save them.
Whosoever Will Lose His Life for My Sake Shall Save It
"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. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 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. 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. 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. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 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."
Word Study
"be ashamed," Greek epaischunomai (ἐπαισχύνομαι). The word means to feel shame, to be embarrassed to be associated with someone. Jesus warns that "whosoever... shall be ashamed of me and of my words" in this "adulterous and sinful generation" will find that "of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed" at His coming in glory. To be ashamed of Christ before men, hiding our allegiance to avoid the world's scorn, is a fearful thing, for He measures our confession before men against His confession of us before the Father. The call is to an open, unashamed loyalty to Christ and His words, whatever it costs.
Explanation
Now Jesus completes the disciples' sight by teaching plainly that the Son of man "must suffer... be killed, and after three days rise again." Peter, who just confessed Him, rebukes Him -- and earns the withering "Get thee behind me, Satan," for a Christ without a cross is the devil's counterfeit. Then Jesus binds the disciple to the same road: "whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." The paradox governs everything that follows -- "whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." To be ashamed of Him now is to be disowned when He comes in glory.
Gospel Focus
The moment Peter confesses Him as Christ, Jesus "began to teach them" what kind of Christ He is: "the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected... and be killed, and after three days rise again." The crown would come by way of the cross. But Peter, who had just spoken heaven's truth, now speaks earth's folly, taking Jesus aside "and began to rebuke him", a Christ without a cross. Jesus' response is startling: "Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." The same tempter who had offered Him the kingdoms of the world without the cross now spoke through a well-meaning friend. Any gospel that removes the cross, however lovingly meant, is the devil's doctrine. Then Jesus lays down the terms of discipleship for all: "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." To follow the crucified Christ is to take up a cross ourselves, to reckon self-will dead and follow Him wherever He leads. And He gives the great paradox: "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." The self-preserving life is the self-destroying life; the surrendered life is the saved life. He presses it with the most sobering question ever asked: "what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" One soul outweighs the whole world, and once lost, no price can buy it back. Finally He warns against the shame that shrinks from Him: to be "ashamed of me and of my words" now is to be disowned by Him when He comes "in the glory of his Father." So the chapter that rose to the confession "Thou art the Christ" descends to the cross He came to bear and the cross He calls us to carry. Confess Him openly, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow the crucified and risen Lord.
Chapter 8 in Review
Mark 8 is the hinge of the Gospel. Jesus feeds four thousand in compassion, yet the Pharisees demand a sign and He "sighed deeply," and even His disciples are so dull that He asks, "Having eyes, see ye not?" At Bethsaida He heals a blind man in two stages, a picture of sight that comes by degrees. Then at Caesarea Philippi comes the great confession: to "Whom say ye that I am?", Peter answers, "Thou art the Christ." But when Jesus teaches that "the Son of man must suffer... and be killed, and after three days rise again," Peter rebukes Him and hears, "Get thee behind me, Satan." Jesus then calls all to "deny himself, and take up his cross," for "whosoever will save his life shall lose it," and nothing is worth the loss of one's soul.
For the Apostolic reader the chapter joins right seeing to the cross. The confession "Thou art the Christ" is the foundation of the faith, but it is not complete until we see the kind of Christ He is, the Son of man who must suffer, die, and rise. Peter's stumble warns us that a Christ without a cross is no true Christ, and that our thinking must be conformed to "the things that be of God," not "the things that be of men." And the crucified Christ calls His people to a crucified life: self denied, the cross taken up, the life laid down for His sake and the gospel's, and no shame in confessing Him before an adulterous generation. The two-stage healing offers hope to all whose sight of Christ is still dim: let Him touch your eyes again, that you may see Him clearly, the Christ who saves by dying and rising. Confess Him, follow Him to the cross, and you will find that in losing your life for Him you have saved it.
- Unbelief that demands more signs grieves the heart of Christ (8:11-12).
- Beware the leaven of hypocritical religion and godless worldliness (8:15).
- Spiritual sight can come by stages; let Christ touch your eyes again (8:24-25).
- "Thou art the Christ" is the true confession, but must include His cross (8:29-31).
- A Christ without a cross is the devil's doctrine (8:33).
- Lose your life for Christ to save it; no gain is worth your soul (8:35-36).
Questions for Reflection
- Do you remember God's past provision, or fret at each new need?
- Is your sight of Christ clear, or does He need to touch your eyes again?
- Have you embraced not only the Christ, but the cross He came to bear and calls you to carry?
- Are you ever ashamed of Christ and His words before this generation?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. The Messiah who must suffer: Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Luke 24:26. Take up the cross: Matthew 10:38-39; Luke 14:27; Galatians 2:20. The worth of the soul: Psalm 49:7-8; Matthew 16:26. Confessing Christ before men: Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:8. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- The feeding of the four thousand and the leaven: Mark 8:1-21; Matthew 15:32-16:12.
- The blind man of Bethsaida and Peter's confession: Mark 8:22-30; Matthew 16:13-20; Luke 9:18-21.
- The first passion prediction and the call to the cross: Mark 8:31-38; Matthew 16:21-28; Luke 9:22-27.