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Mark Chapter 8

New Testament Gospel 38 Verses

What is Mark 8 about?

The fast-paced Gospel of action — Jesus as the Suffering Servant who came not to be served but to give his life as a ransom. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them,
2I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat:
3and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way; and some of them are come from far.
4And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?
5And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
6And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.
7And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them.
8And they ate, and were filled: and they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets.
9And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
10And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him.
12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
13And he left them, and again entering into [the boat] departed to the other side.
14And they forgot to take bread; and they had not in the boat with them more than one loaf.
15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.
16And they reasoned one with another, saying, We have no bread.
17And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened?
18Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
19When I brake the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20And when the seven among the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces took ye up? And they say unto him, Seven.
21And he said unto them, Do ye not yet understand?
22And they come unto Bethsaida. And they bring to him a blind man, and beseech him to touch him.
23And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught?
24And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold [them] as trees, walking.
25Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly.
26And he sent him away to his home, saying, Do not even enter into the village.
27And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am?
28And they told him, saying, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets.
29And he asked them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32And he spake the saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
33But he turning about, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, Get thee behind me, Satan; for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.
34And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel`s shall save it.
36For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
37For what should a man give in exchange for his life?
38For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“In those days, etc..] The Ethiopic version reads, on that day; as if it was on the same day that the deaf man was healed; and so it might be; and on the third day from Christ's coming into those parts; and so is very properly expressed, “in those days”; (see <410731>Mark 7:31), compared with the following verse: the multitude being very great: for the number of men that ate, when the following miracle was wrought, were about four thousand; (see <410809>Mark 8:9). The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions add, “again”; referring to the former miracle of the five thousand, who were fed with five loaves, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“HEALING OF A DEMONIAC BOY--SECOND EXPLICIT ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS APPROACHING DEATH AND RESURRECTION. ( = Mat 17:14-23; Luk 9:37-45). (Mark 9:14-32) And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them--This was "on the next day, when they were come down from the hill" (Luk 9:37). The Transfiguration appears to have taken place at night. In the morning, as He came down from the hill on which it took place--with Peter, and James, and John--on approaching the other nine, He found them surrounded by a great multitude, and the scribes disputing or discussing with…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 15:32-39. Mark 8:1 In those days - While in the wilderness, where he had cured the deaf-mute man. Having nothing to eat - Having come unprovided, or having consumed what they had brought. Mark 8:2 I have compassions - I pity their condition. I am disposed to relieve them. Mark 8:9 Four thousand - Four thousand “men,” besides women and children. See Matthew 15:38. See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 15:32-39. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Mat 15:32. Mark 8:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“8:1-10 The stories about feeding the 4,000 and the 5,000 are similar. All four Gospels report the earlier feeding of the 5,000 (6:35-44; Matt 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15), but only Mark and Matthew (Matt 15:32-39) also record the feeding of the 4,000 as a separate miracle (Mark 8:19-21; Matt 16:9-10). The details of the events are different. 8:1-3 The last reference to a large crowd was at the feeding of the 5,000 (6:34). Jesus showed compassion in 6:34 because the people “were like sheep without a shepherd.” These stories reflect Jesus’ concern for the total person—this time especially for the people’s…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Mat 15:32-39 Mark 8:2”
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