Mark 8:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he looked up and said, "I see people, but they look like trees, walking."

NIV: He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."

NASB: And he looked up and said, 'I see people, for I see them like trees, walking around.'

CSB: He looked up and said, "I see people—they look like trees walking."

NLT: The man looked around. 'Yes,' he said, 'I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.'

KJV: And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

NKJV: And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

After Jesus healed the deaf man, the people declared, "He has done all things well" (Mark 7:37). When He healed the centurion's servant, the effect was instant (Matthew 8:13). His healing of Peter's mother-in-law appears to be immediate, as well (Mark 1:30–31). And He healed the woman with an issue of blood before He noticed she'd touched Him (Mark 5:25–34). But His exorcism of a legion of demons involved intense negotiations and a herd of pigs (Mark 5:1–13).

The Bible doesn't say why some healings are immediate and some take a little time. One possible reason is that the more involved healings provide a metaphor for the spiritual healing of His disciples. They are beginning to see Jesus for who He is—and, indeed, Peter will soon declare Jesus to be the Christ (Mark 8:29)—but they have a way to go. They don't yet understand that the Messiah has come to save the world from sin, not the Jews from the Romans. And they're still confused about how Jesus can provide for their needs.

Sanctification is the process by which we grow in spiritual maturity and knowledge of Jesus. When we become believers, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us to teach us truth (John 16:13). We begin like the blind man, seeing Jesus as a tree, walking around. But as He works in us, we learn more about God and what He has planned for us.

Mark 8:22–26 contains an important fulfillment of prophecy. Much has been made about the fact that Jesus heals a physically blind man directly after dealing with spiritually blind Pharisees (Mark 8:11–12) and disciples (Mark 8:14–21). But it can't be overstated, particularly in this precise place in the book, that healing the blind is specifically listed in the Old Testament as a sign of God's Messiah (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5; 42:6–7). Even the restoration of Paul's sight was orchestrated by Jesus (Acts 9:17–18). The two-step nature of this healing is no accident: it symbolizes the fact that salvation does not impart instantaneous spiritual wisdom. Like the man in Bethsaida, the disciples' spiritual sight grows only gradually. Mark's account is the only recording of this miracle.

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.