81 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, 2 I have compassion on the crowd, because they have stayed with me already three days and they have not anything they can eat, 3 and if I should dismiss them to their home fasting, they will faint on the way; for some of them are come from far. 4 And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to satisfy these with bread here in a desert place? 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6 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. 7 And they had a few small fishes, and having blessed them, he desired these also to be set before [them]. 8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up of fragments that remained seven baskets. 9 And they [that had eaten] were about four thousand; and he sent them away.
10 And immediately going on board ship with his disciples, he came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
11 And the Pharisees went out and began to dispute against him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, tempting him. 12 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. 13 And he left them, and going again on board ship, went away to the other side.
14 And they forgot to take bread, and save one loaf, they had not [any] with them in the ship. 15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and [of] the leaven of Herod. 16 And they reasoned with one another, [saying], It is because we have no bread. 17 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? 18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? 19 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. 20 And when the seven for the four thousand, the filling of how many baskets of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. 21 And he said to them, How do ye not yet understand?
22 And he comes to Bethsaida; and they bring him a blind man, and beseech him that he might touch him. 23 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. 24 And having looked up, he said, I behold men, for I see [them], as trees, walking. 25 Then he laid his hands again upon his eyes, and he saw distinctly, and was restored and saw all things clearly. 26 And he sent him to his house, saying, Neither enter into the village, nor tell [it] to any one in the village.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 8:1-26
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.