Mark 8:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

NIV: He said to them, 'Do you still not understand?'

NASB: And He was saying to them, 'Do you not yet understand?'

CSB: And he said to them, "Don't you understand yet? "

NLT: Don’t you understand yet?' he asked them.

KJV: And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

NKJV: So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

This question could easily be asked of modern believers. What earthly needs does God promise to provide for us? We are not part of the old covenant wherein obedience to the Mosaic Law brings peace and prosperity. But the passages in the New Testament can be confusing.

Scripture promises that those who ask of God will receive. God is as loving as any father and will give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:7–11). But the Bible also says that although we will not receive if we don't ask, we won't receive if we ask with wrong motives (James 4:3). And that if someone is not willing to work, the church should not provide him with food (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Matthew 6:25–33 is probably the most important but least understood passage in the discussion. Jesus tells the disciples they should not worry about what they will eat or drink. Verse 33 is especially vexing, and many have used it to claim a believer will never starve to death. The problem is in the translation. The New International Version says, "all these things will be given to you as well." But more precise translations say, "added to you." And this promise is not to all Christians, but to those who "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." If we are actively following God, He will add to our supply of physical necessities; He does not promise that we will not starve to death if our continued presence on earth is not in His will.

The key is back in Matthew 6:25: "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Thirteen men are in a boat with one loaf of bread to share. Twelve of them are concerned about going hungry. One is concerned about false teaching from prominent religious and civil leaders. Eating is important! But it is not as important as seeking God's kingdom and discovering the truth about God and Jesus.

Mark 8:14–21 is the fourth of a series of stories about bread and righteousness, in which the disciples again miss Jesus' point. ''Bread'' represents God's provision, whether that be literal (Mark 6:30–44; 8:1–9), or metaphorical (Mark 7:24–30). The Pharisees are careful to ensure nothing, even themselves, make their literal bread unclean (Mark 7:1–5). But Jesus warns that spiritually, their teaching acts as tainted leaven that permeates God's truth and fundamentally changes its constitution. The disciples get confused and think He's scolding them about forgetting to bring rations. Matthew 16:5–12 also records this account. Luke 12:1–3 speaks of the leaven of the Pharisees as hypocrisy.

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.