Mark 8:1-26 - Those gentile dogs
20/11/22
Preach
Scripture
Questions
8:1-10 Feeding the 4 000
1 In those days there was again a large crowd, and they did not have anything they could eat. Summoning the disciples, he said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have remained with me three days already and do not have anything to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes they will give out on the way, and some of them have come from far away.” 4 And his disciples answered him, “Where is anyone able to feed these people with bread here in the desert?” 5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” So they said, “Seven.” 6 And he commanded the crowd to recline for a meal on the ground, and taking the seven loaves, after he had given thanks he broke them and began giving them to his disciples so that they could set them before them. And they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish, and after giving thanks for them, he said to set these before them also. 8 And they ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces that were left, seven baskets full. 9 Now there were about four thousand. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and* went to the district of Dalmanutha.
Where had Jesus been and where is he now [7:31]? What is the significance of these areas? Who was the hero of the faith Jesus met in the last chapter? What is the shift in Jesus ministry?
What are the similarities and one huge difference between the feeding of the 5 000 [6:33-44] and the feeding of the 4 000?
Where will Jesus soon head off toward [Mark 10]? What will happen there? How does this connect with your answers above?
8:11-21 Pharisees Demand a Sign
11 And the Pharisees came and began to argue with him, demanding from him a sign from heaven in order to test him. 12 And sighing deeply in his spirit, he said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!” 13 And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
14 And they had forgotten to take bread, and except for one loaf, they did not have any with them in the boat. 15 And he ordered them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod!” 16 And they began to discuss with one another that they had no bread. 17 And knowing this, he said to them, “Why are you discussing that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Have your hearts been hardened? 18 Although you have eyes, do you not see? And although you have ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand how many baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “When I also broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
Why are the Pharisees still quibbling? Why will they not get a sign? Why is Jesus so sad [v12]?
How can Jesus be sad at the hardness of the Pharisees yet thank his Father for hiding the truth from the “wise and intelligent” [Matthew 11:25b-26]?
What does leaven represent [v15]? See also 1 Corinthians 5:6].
8:22-26 A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida
22 And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought to him a blind man and implored him that he would touch him. 23 And he took hold of the blind man’s hand and led him outside the village, and after spitting in his eyes, he placed his hands on him and asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And looking up he said, “I see people, for I see them like trees walking around.” 25 Then he placed his hands on his eyes again, and he opened his eyes and was cured, and could see everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.”
Who gives us eyes to see [v18]? Who has eyes to see in these stories?