Mark 8:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

NIV: Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

NASB: And leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side.

CSB: Then he left them, got back into the boat, and went to the other side.

NLT: So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.

KJV: And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

NKJV: And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side.

Bible scholars believe Jesus and the disciples are on the west coast of the Sea of Galilee, although we don't know where Dalmanutha (Mark 8:10) was or even if that is where the Pharisees accosted Jesus. Once again, the "other side" means the other side of the Sea of Galilee, this time to Bethsaida (Mark 8:22). Although Bethsaida is not far, and sits near the middle of the northern shore, it is on the other side of the river that feeds the lake and the border between Antipas' and Philip's territories.

Jesus had come to Dalmanutha after miraculously feeding a mixed Jewish-and-Gentile crowd with a few loaves of bread and some small fish (Mark 8:1–10). Now, Jesus leaves the Pharisees without record of a single miracle. Those who humbly sought healing received it, and those who were hungry were fed. But those who demand a sign from God are disappointed. The text simply says "he left them…" but this marks the end of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee (Mark 9:30). Later, Jesus and the disciples will travel north into Syria (Matthew 16:13) and south to Perea (Mark 10:1) and Judea. Now, Jesus is officially leaving the Galilean Pharisees and possibly the people, to spend more time training the disciples.

Jesus stopped being patient with the religious leaders when they accused Him of receiving His power from Satan (Mark 3:22). Now, He quits His public ministry in Galilee when they demand a sign that His power is from God. Just as Jesus knows when to leave off arguing with the Pharisees, we are called to "shake the dust off our feet" when someone continually rejects the gospel (Mark 6:11).

Mark 8:11–13 continues after Jesus fed the five thousand outside of Bethsaida (Mark 6:30–44), then returned to Galilee and argued with the Pharisees over His authority over tradition (Mark 7:1–13). Now, after feeding four thousand in Decapolis, He returns to Galilee and argues with the Pharisees over whether they have the right to ask Him for a sign that His authority comes from God. In both cases, the Pharisees have all the evidence they need. They just refuse to see it. This may be the same event recorded in Matthew 16:1–4 and Luke 11:29–32, but it is unclear.

This chapter describes another miraculous feeding of thousands by Jesus. He also counters the hard-hearted and selfish hypocrisy of the Pharisees in seeking even more miraculous signs. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus rebukes their short memories and reminds them about God's intent to provide for His followers. After healing a blind man, Jesus accepts Peter's proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah. Almost immediately, though, Jesus rebukes Peter for resisting the idea that the Messiah must suffer and die.

Mark 8 continues Jesus' attempts to teach the disciples God's plan for the Messiah. Jesus has not come for the religious Pharisees but for the meek who willingly respond to Him. He has not yet come as the glorious and victorious champion of Israel, but to die for the whole world. And His followers must also be willing to sacrifice their lives. The chapter marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry as His miracles grow fewer and His teaching increases. Interestingly, Jesus also faces a repeat of the temptations He experienced in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.