Mark 8

Christ feedeth four thousand men with five loaves and a few fishes 1 refuseth to give the Pharisees a sign from heaven 11 warneth his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod 14restore a blind man to his sight 2 divers opinion of Jews concerning Christ and Peter confession that he was the Christ 27 he foretelleth his passion death and resurrection 31 reproveth Peter who diswarded him from his suffering 32 exhorts his followers to take their cross upon them to deny themselves and to liketh no fear make them ashamed of him and of his doctrine 34.

1. In those days [that is about that time a Hebraism] when there was a very great multitude and they had nothing to eat Jesus called his disciples and said unto them.

2. I am inwardly moved with compassion [or from my heart heartily]towards the multitude for they have now remained with me three days [in those hot eastern countries one can no longer indure hunger then in those colder climates]and have nothing to eat.

3. And if I let them go home fasting they will faint by the way for some of them comes from far.

4. And his disciples answered him [concerning this whole miracle see likewise Matthew 15:32] whence shall one be able to satisfy these with bread here in the wilderness?

5. And he asked them how many loaves have ye and they said seven.

6. And he commanded the multitude to sit down [Gr fall down] on the ground and he took the seven loaves and having given thanks he break them and gave them to his disciples that they should set them before the multitude.

7. And they had a few small fishes and when he had blessed [or given thanks see hereof Matthew 15:36] he said that they should also set the same before them.

8. And they did eat and were satisfied and they took up the remainder of the fragments seven baskets.

9. Now they that had eaten about four thousand and he let them go.

10. And straightway being gone into the ship with his disciples he came into parts of Dalmanutha [see hereof Matthew 15:39.]

11. And the Pharisees went forth and they began to contend with him [that is enter into dispute and difference] desiring of them a sign of heaven tempting him.

12. And he sighing heavily in his spirit [namely for their perverseness and obstinacy] said what doth this generation desire a sign? verily I say unto you if there shall be a sign to this generation [this is an abrupt manner of speaking usual with the Hebrews when they will confirm or avouch as by oath that such a thing shall not be done as may be seen Genesis 14:22 Psalms 95:11 Hebrews 3:11 others they shall no sign be given to his generation namely such an one as they desire from heaven]

13. And he left them and being gone into the ship again he pass away to the other side [namely of the sea of Gennesareth towards Bethsaida as is to be seen verse 22.]

14. And his disciples had forgotten to take bread with them and had but one loaf with them in the ship.

15. And he commandeth them and saying look at it beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees [see hereof Matthew 16 verse12] and of the leaven of Herod [from whom the Herodians were denominated see concerning them Matthew 22 verse 16.]

16. And they reasoned among themselves and said it is because we have no bread.

17. And Jesus knowing that saying unto them what reason ye that ye have no bread? Do ye not yet observe? Neither do ye understand? Have your hardened [Gr brawny cornice see the annotation on Mark 6 verse 52] heart yet?

18. Having eyes see ye not? And having ears hear ye not?

19. And do ye not remember when I brake the five loaves amongst the five thousand men how many baskets full of fragments ye took up? They say unto him twelve.

20. And when I brake the seven amongst the four thousand men how many mounds full of fragments ye took up? [Gr how many mounds fullness of fragments?] And they said seven.

21. And he said unto them how do ye not understand? [Namely that which was so lately and publicly done.]

22. And he came to Bethsaida [a small city or town lying on the sea of Galilee where Peter Andrew and Philip were born John 1:45 where Christ also did many miracles Matthew 11:21] and they brought unto him one tat was blind and prayed him that he would touch him.

23. And having taken the blind man by the hand he led him forth without the town and spit in his eyes [Christ useth this sign to shew that this cure came from him and it hath some resemblance and medicinal water of the eyes whereby the weak ones were strengthened] and laid the hand upon him and asked him if he saw anything.

24. And he looking up [namely the blind man] said I see men for I see them walk like trees [otherwise I see like trees walking]

25. Afterwards he laid his hands again upon his eyes and made him look up [Christ could indeed at once cured this blind man like as he did the other times but it seems that here he would do it in degrees to represent that our spiritual enlightening advanceth likewise by degrees more and more] And he was restored and he saw them all afar of and clearly.

26. And he sent him to his house saying go not into the town neither tell it to any in town [see the reason of this prohibition Matthew 12.16c.]

27. And Jesus went forth and his disciples to the towns of Cesarea Philippi [see of this city Matthew 16:13] and on the way he asked his disciples saying unto them whom do men say I am?

28. And they answered John the Baptist and others Elias and others son of the prophets.

29. And he said unto them but ye whom say ye that I am? And Peter answering said unto him thou art the Christ [that is the promised Messiah or anointed John 1:42]

30. And he commanded them sharply that they should tell no man concerning him.

31. And he began to teach them that the son of man was to suffer much and to be rejected of the Elders and chief priest and Scribes and he put to dead and after three days to rise again [that is within the three days as the chief priest themselves using that phrase shew and declare they understood it so Matthew 27, 63, 64]

32. And this word he uttered freely and Peter having taken him up began to rebuke him.

33. But he turning himself about and looking on his disciples rebuked Peter saying get thee behind me Satan [see concerning this word Matthew 16:23]for thou mindest not the things that are of God but those that are of man .

34. And having called into him the multitude with his disciples he said unto them whosoever will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

35. For whosoever will save his life [Gr soul see Matthew 16:25] he shall lose the same but who so shall lose his life for my sake and for the gospel sake he shall save the same.

36. For what would it profit a man he should win the whole world and suffered the loss of his soul?

37. Or what shall a man give for the release of his soul?

38. For whosoever shall have been ashamed of me and my words in the adulterous and sinful generation of him shall also the son of man be ashamed when he shall come in the glory of his father with the holy Angels.