Mark 8:24

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 8:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold [them] as trees, walking.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold [them] as trees, walking.
Mark 8:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold [them] as trees, walking.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he looked up, etc..] This is omitted in the Arabic and Persic versions. The sense is, that he opened his eyelids, and lifted up his eyes, to try if he could see, and he could, and did see again; his sight was returned again, though very imperfectly as yet: and said, I see men, as trees, walking: he saw some objects at a little distance from him, which, by their motion, he supposed to be men; otherwise his sight was so imperfect, that he could not have distinguished them from trees: he was capable of discerning the bulk of their bodies, and that they walked, or moved forward; but he could not distinguish the particular parts of their bodies; they seemed to be like trunks of trees, in an…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I see men, as trees, walking - I see men walking, but see them so indistinctly that, but for their “motion,” I could not distinguish them from trees. I cannot distinctly see their shapes and features. Probably our Lord did not “at once” restore him fully to sight, that he might strengthen his faith. Seeing that Jesus had partially restored him, it was evidence that he could “wholly,” and it led him to exercise faith anew in him, and to feel more strikingly his dependence on him. 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 · 18th-century historical commentary
“I see men as trees walking - He distinguished men from trees only by their motion. Mark 8:27”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:24-25 The healing was not instantaneous—the man saw imperfectly at first. Jesus’ second laying on of hands brought complete healing. Who is this man who stills the sea and heals the blind? Peter reveals this in the next account—he is the Messiah (8:29).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I see: Jdg 9:36; Isa 29:18, Isa 32:3; Co1 13:9-12 Mark 8:25”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification