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Mark Chapter
Eight
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Service and
Training of the Bondman the Savior with His Disciples
A. He fed four thousands
men with seven loaves
(v.1-19).
B. He refused to show signs before the
Pharisees (v.10-13).
C. He asked the disciples to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and
the leaven of Herod (v.14-21).
D. He healed the blind man in
E. Peter knew that Jesus is the Christ
(v.27-29).
F. He prophesied His death and resurrection
(v.30-33).
G. He encouraged His disciples to take their
crosses to follow Him (v.34-38).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Mark. 8:1 “In
those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus
called His disciples to Him and said to them,”
YLT: “In those days
the multitude being very great, and not having what they may eat, Jesus having
called near his disciples, saith to them,”
Literal Meaning: “in those days, the
multitude being very great”, “in those days” referred to the period when they
were in Decapolis (see 7:31). Judging from the time and place, among the
multitude there were not only the Jews but also the Gentiles.
Mark. 8:2 “"I
have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three
days and have nothing to eat.”
YLT: “`I have
compassion upon the multitude, because now three days they do continue with me,
and they have not what they may eat;”
Literal Meaning:
“I have compassion on the multitude”, “compassion”, it also appeared in verse
34 of chapter six, so He was moved with compassion for them, “because they were
as sheep not having a shepherd”. In the Lord’s humanity, He is full of the
virtue of compassion, mercy and kindness.
“Have nothing to eat”, that the
multitude had nothing to eat indicated that the Lord Himself also had nothing
to eat. However, what He was concerned about was not whether He had food or
not, but whether the whole people had food to eat.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord did not change the
rock into bread for Himself when He had been hungry for forty days (see Matt.
4:1-4). However, He had compassion on the multitude when they were hungry for
three days. The mind of Christ is to take care of others instead of Himself
(see Pill. 2:4-5).
2) Eating the Lord is not a
thing that can be done once and for all. We must eat, drink and enjoy the Lord
everyday.
Mark. 8:3 “And if I
send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some
of them have come from afar." ”
YLT: “and if I shall
let them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way, for certain of
them are come from far.'”
Literal Meaning:
“they will faint on the way”, “faint”, it is used to describe the unfastened
bow, so it means becoming powerless, weary, infirm and exhausted.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
We
are running the heavenly race. If we do not look steadfastly on Jesus, we may
be weary and faint (see Heb.12:1-3).
2)
But
they that wait upon Jehovah shall renew strength: they shall mount up with
wings as eagles. They shall run, and not tire. They shall walk, and not faint
(Is. 40:31).
Mark. 8:4 “Then His
disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here
in the wilderness?" ”
YLT: “And his
disciples answered him, `Whence shall any one be able these here to feed with
bread in a wilderness?'”
Literal Meaning:
since the disciples had already witnessed the sign of five thousands men fed by
loaves and two fish last time (see 6:30-44), they still asked such question
this time. Such folly was really unbelievable.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If our eyes are fixed on the environment (“the
wilderness”), we will find we are too limited to deal with
the great need (“the multitude”).
2) The eyes of faith neither see us nor the
environment, but the Lord.
3) Faith makes us look into the future
according to our experience in the past. We should have perfect faith so that
we can transform the past experience into the present help.
Mark. 8:5 “He asked
them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said,
"Seven." ”
YLT: “And he was
questioning them, `How many loaves have ye?' and they said, `Seven.'”
Literal Meaning:
the Lord might ask the question here with the purpose of reminding the
disciples.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Though
the provision was out of the “compassion” of the Lord (see v.2), it still
needed the cooperation of men ---- to devote the loaves and fish. Though He is
a God who “calls the things which be not as being” (Rom.4:17), He is willing to
manifest His fullness through our poverty.
2) “How
many loaves do you have?” ---- The Lord blesses others with what we have had
instead of what have not had.
3) No matter how poor or young
we are, there must be something that we can dedicate to the Lord for His use.
Mark. 8:6 “So He
commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves
and gave thanks, broke them and gave
them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the
multitude. ”
YLT: “And he
commanded the multitude to sit down upon the ground, and having taken the seven
loaves, having given thanks, he brake, and was giving to his disciples that
they may set before ; and they did set before the multitude.”
Meaning of Words: “gave
thanks”: be grateful, express gratitude; “set”: deposit, present;
Spiritual Meaning:
please see the commentary of verse 41, chapter 6.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
In
quietness and confidence shall be our strength (see Is. 30:15).
2)
If
the loaves and fish have been kept whole, they cannot be food of the multitude.
If we have not been “broken” by the Lord, we will not be the blessings of
others.
3)
“Gave
them to His disciples to set before them”, we shall desire to be channels of
delivering the Lord’s abundant grace. Nevertheless, we shall firstly receive
something from the Lord and then we are able to give something to others.
Mark. 8:7 “They also
had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before
them.”
YLT: “And they had a
few small fishes, and having blessed, he said to set them also before ;”
Meaning of Words: “bless”:
praise, speak well of;
Spiritual Meaning:
“They also had a few small fish”, “loaves” represent resources in the land, and
“fish” stands for the resources in the sea; the former is on behalf of plants,
and the latter represents animals. The former symbolizes the richness prodeuced
from death (see John 12:24), and the latter indicates the blessings after
shedding blood (see Heb.9:22).
Mark. 8:8 “So they
ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover
fragments. ”
YLT: “and they did
eat and were filled, and they took up that which was over of broken pieces --
seven baskets;”
Literal Meaning:
“large baskets” were utensils weaved by rush and canes. Such baskets were
larger than the “hand-baskets (see 6:43)” and could even hold a man (see Acts
9:25).
Spiritual Meaning:
“they took up seven large baskets full of fragments that were left”,
“fragments” symbolize the superfluous and abundant grace; “seven” is the number
of perfectness in this age; “seven large baskets” indicate that the Lord’s
provision is more than sufficient, and even the remnants after enjoyment are still
abundant and perfect.
Mark. 8:9 “Now those
who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,”
YLT: “and those
eating were about four thousand. And he let them away,”
Literal Meaning: “four
thousands”, it did not include women and children (see Matt.15:38).
Spiritual Meaning:
“four thousand men”, “four” symbolizes the creatures (see Rev. 4:7). Here it
means that all the creatures enjoy the Lord’s provision.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
signs of the same nature had repeated twice, which indicated that how to
provide many people with limited amount of loaves was a matter we had to learn
but uneasy to learn.
2)
We
usually fix our eyes on the poor and limited loaves in our hands and the great
multitude before our eyes, but forget the heavenly blessings. May the Lord lead
us into the step of relying on the blessings of God.
Mark. 8:10 “immediately
got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.”
YLT: “and immediately
having entered into the boat with his disciples, he came to the parts of
Dalmanutha,”
Meaning of Words: “Dalmanutha”:
the torch burning slowing;
Literal Meaning:
“came to the region of Dalmanutha,” “Magdala” was an area on the west bank of
the Sea of Galilee. It was also called “Magdala” (see Matt. 15:39) but its
certain position is not clear.
Mark. 8:11 “Then the
Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from
heaven, testing Him.”
YLT: “and the
Pharisees came forth, and began to dispute with him, seeking from him a sign from
the heaven, tempting him;”
Meaning of Words: “sign”:
indication; “test”: try, temp;
The Background:
“the Pharisees” were in the beginning a group of people who loved the country
and were pious to God. Then, they were separated from the Maccabean Party for
the chief priest Simon was not for God but for himself, and therefore their
rivals called them “the Pharisees” (it means “separation”). They tried to keep
the law and traditions and made themselves higher than the common people.
Therefore the word of Pharisees became their religious aim. Since they stressed
on the law, gradually they were inclined to pay attention to men’s appearance
instead of men’s heart. They prayed on the crossing, enlarged the borders and
looked up at heaven lest they see women. They were strict to others and
obstinately clung to regulations, but their hearts were still corruptible.
Therefore men in the later generation explained “the Pharisees” as
“hypocrites”.
Literal Meaning:
“asked that He would show them a sign from heaven”, so far, the Lord had
already showed many times of signs “on the earth”, but the hearts of the
Pharisees were still hardened and refused to believe the Lord and even thought
He cast out the demons by the power of the prince of the devils (see 3:22).
Therefore, they asked Him to show them a sign “from heaven”, e.g. making a
sound from heaven, or making the sun or moon go backwards and etc, and finally
proved that He was sent from God.
“Testing Him”, “testing” showed their
unbelief towards the Lord.
Spiritual Meaning:
“the Pharisees” symbolize the conservative fundamentalism in Christianity.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Pharisees emphasize the apparent phenomena and signs (“signs”), but ignore the
inner connotation and reality.
2)
The
pursuit of signs may secretly carry the motivation of tempting the Lord.
Believers who are zealous of signs today may compel the Lord to show signs
according to their own heart and need. This is also a sort of tempt.
3)
He
who prays to the Lord shall be answered. But those who ask amiss or have wrong
heart ---- “tempt Him”, or have crooked purpose will all be rejected by the
Lord.
Mark. 8:12 “But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this
generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign
shall be given to this generation." ”
YLT: “and having
sighed deeply in his spirit, he saith, `Why doth this generation seek after a
sign? Verily I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.'”
Literal Meaning:
“generation”: the present age;
“No sign shall be given to this
generation.” ---- Seeing from the literal, it must be added another sentence so
that the meaning shall be complete. Therefore the Lord’s words had a hidden
meaning here, which was that if a sign would be given to this generation, it
had to be a sign of another nature, namely, the sign of the prophet Jonah (see
Matt. 12:39).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
No
matter how many signs or wonders there are, they are still of no use to those
who do not believe.
2)
Only
the risen Christ can satisfy the need of this generation, so the sign believers
shall seek is the manifestation of the life of the risen Christ in us (see
Phil.1:20).
Mark. 8:13 “And He
left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side.”
YLT: “And having left
them, having entered again into the boat, he went away to the other side;”
Meaning of Words: “leave”:
forsake, lay aside, send away;
Literal Meaning:
“departed”, it indicated that the Pharisees tempted the Lord on purpose but
were contrarily rejected by the Lord.
“Getting into the boat again…to the
other side”, “the other side” referred to the east bank of the Sea of Galilee.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“He
departed”, the wrong and superficial pursuit (to seek signs) even hinders men
from receiving revelation. It is vain for men to seek without taking Christ as
the object.
2)
Religionists
deliberately refuse to know the Lord, so the Lord reject them and give them up
(see Rom. 1:28).
Mark. 8:14 “Now the
disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf
with them in the boat.”
YLT: “and they forgot
to take loaves, and except one loaf they had nothing with them in the boat,”
Literal Meaning:
“the disciples had forgotten to take bread”, they at that time went from the
west bank of the Sea of Galilee where was densely populated to the east bank
where was sparsely populated and was uneasy to buy bread. So it was not small
carelessness for them.
Enlightenment in the Word:
as long as we had the presence of the Lord in the boat (in the church), though
there was “only one loaf”, it would be sufficient to deal with the spiritual
hunger, for Christ Himself is the exclusive and full bread in the universe and
He can satisfy the need of men forever.
Mark. 8:15 “Then He
charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven
of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." ”
YLT: “and he was
charging them, saying, `Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and
of the leaven of Herod,'”
Literal Meaning:
“beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod”, “leaven” is a
sort of unicellular fungi that can make bread to ferment. Bread that has been
fermented will become more delicious.
Spiritual Meaning:
“beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod”, “leaven”
refers to evil and corrupt things (see Exod. 12:20; 1Cor. 5:7-8) and evil
teachings (see Matt.16:12; Gal. 5:8-9). “The leaven of the Pharisees” referred
to their teachings, which made men pay attention to appearance, be
hypocritical, behave in an affected manner and even earn the name of piety and
etc. There might be two kinds of “leaven of Herod”: one was his bad example of
secularism, which made men consider the fleshly life only and lead a befuddled
life but not consider the matters concerning the kingdom of God, and the other
was his evil heart (see Luke 13:31-32).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“Leaven”
is hidden in bread and makes the bread more delicious. Today in Christianity, a
lot of men’s teachings covered by God’s words (bread) seem to help men to
accept the Lord. However, they in fact corrupt those who eat them, so we should
beware of the leaven.
2)
Today,
any doctrine that misleads men and has a form of piety but denys the power of
it (2Tim. 3:5) is the “leaven of the Pharisees”.
3)
The
false doctrine will become the veil on one’s face and hinder him from knowing
Christ (see 2Cor.3:13-16).
4)
“The
leaven of the Pharisees” and “the leaven of Herod” represent two extreme
faults, which are the deceitful tool of Satan to deal with Christians. The
former makes men unconsciously fall into the condition of loving the Lord
apparently, but not loving Him actually, and the latter makes us just lay the
Lord aside and love the world and cling to the lust directly.
Mark. 8:16 “And they
reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread." ”
YLT: “and they were
reasoning with one another, saying -- `Because we have no loaves.'”
Literal Meaning:
please see the commentary of verse 14.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
It
is a fact that the disciples had taken no bread (see v.14). Paying too much
attention to subjective facts will make men misunderstand God’s words.
2)
The
Lord spoke of spiritual things (see v.15) and the disciples thought about
material things. If men’s spiritual mind has not been opened (see Luke. 24:45),
they still live in earthly realm and do not understand the Lord’s words.
3) Material concepts and
earthly cares usually hinder men from obtaining more spiritual knowledge.
Mark. 8:17 “But
Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you
have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand?
Is your heart still hardened? ”
YLT: “And Jesus
having known, saith to them, `Why do ye reason, because ye have no loaves? do
ye not yet perceive, nor understand, yet have ye your heart hardened?”
Literal Meaning:
the strict question of the Lord indicated that their shortage of spiritual
understanding made the Lord deeply disappointed.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“Jesus,
being aware of it”, the Lord has a penetrating eye. He is the one who searches
reins and hearts (see Rev.2:23).
2)
Believers
shall not focus on the physical matters (no bread), but on the spiritual ones
(leaven).
3)
We
shall bear what we have seen and experienced in our hears, pondering again and
again (Luke 2:19), and thus we can “perceive” and “understand”.
4)
He
who is “hardened” walks by sight, not by faith (see 2Cor.5:7).
5)
The
Lord completely rejected the Pharisees because of their hardening (see v.13),
but He patiently enlightened and guided the disciples when they also turned to
be hardened. The difference lay in their heart to the Lord. If man’s spiritual
understanding is slow and yet has upright heart, he can still receive the
Lord’s grace.
Mark. 8:18 “Having
eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not
remember? ”
YLT: “Having eyes, do
ye not see? and having ears, do ye not hear? and do ye not remember?”
Literal Meaning:
the common mistakes that men may make are listed as below ---- “turning a blind
eye to what they have seen”, “hearing but not receiving” and “forgetting
immediately after turning around”.
Mark. 8:19 “When I
broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments
did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." ”
YLT: “When the five
loaves I did brake to the five thousand, how many hand-baskets full of broken
pieces took ye up?' they say to him, `Twelve.'”
Literal Meaning:
please see the details in chapter (v.34-44).
Mark. 8:20 “"Also,
when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of
fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." ”
YLT: “`And when the
seven to the four thousand, how many hand-baskets full of broken pieces took ye
up?' and they said, `Seven.'”
Literal Meaning:
please see the details from verse 1 to 9 of this chapter.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
That
the Lord had twice fed thousands of men with several loaves were great signs.
But the disciples forgot them after only a few days. Therefore, the pursuit of
spiritual gifts and the emphasis on signs and miracles have no great help for
men to know Christ.
2)
We
usually, as the disciples, are skillful at the earthly things, but are vague
about the spiritual things. Indeed, we need to be saved by the Lord!
3)
The
Lord here reminded them about their past experience in Him, thus making them
come to understand. Therefore, we shall often number the Lord’s grace, which is
beneficial for our spiritual mind.
Mark. 8:21 “So
He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?" ”
YLT: “And he said to
them, `How do ye not understand?'”
Enlightenment in the Word:
concerning spiritual things, we usually, as the disciples, lack spiritual power
of discernment so that we may be deceived by the backsliding ones (see Rom.
16:17-18; Eph.4:14).
Mark. 8:22 “Then
He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and
begged Him to touch him.”
YLT: “And he cometh
to Bethsaida, and they bring to him one blind, and call upon him that he may
touch him,”
Literal
Meaning: “He came to Bethsaida”,
“Bethsaida” was located in the northeast bank of the Sea of Galilee.
Spiritual
Meaning: “blind
man” symbolizes the one in whom the
god of this world has blinded his
thoughts (see 2Cor.4:4)
that his spiritual sight is lost (see Acts 26:18; 2Peter 1:9).
Mark. 8:23 “So
He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the
town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked
him if he saw anything.”
YLT: “and having
taken the hand of the blind man, he led him forth without the village, and
having spit on his eyes, having put hands on him, he was questioning him if he
doth behold anything:”
Spiritual
Meaning: “led
him out of the town”, it meant that the man was separated from the crowds and
was with the Lord alone.
“Spit”
typified the “word” from which goes out through the Lord's mouth.
“Put
His hands on him”, it symbolized union
(see 1Tim.5:22) and passing on blessings (see 2Tim.1:6).
Note that it was the second time of the Lord Jesus
who took the patient to leave the crowds and healed by the same way of
“spitting” (see 7:32-35), just like the second time of feeding the people with
the loaves. The repeated mention of them was purposed to reveal and instruct
His disciples again. Therefore, signs in chapter eight were done to train the
disciples.
Mark. 8:24 “And
he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking."”
YLT: “and he, having
looked up, said, `I behold men, as I see trees, walking.'”
Spiritual
Meaning: this verse symbolized that
in the early days when the mind of believers had been opened by the Lord, what
they could see was not very clear and what they could discern in spirit was
limited (see 1Cor.13:12). Just like the Lord’s disciples who knew “vaguely”
before His ascension, they did not know the Lord completely until the day of
Pentecost.
Mark. 8:25 “Then
He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored
and saw everyone clearly.”
YLT: “Afterwards
again he put hands on his eyes, and made him look up, and he was restored, and
discerned all things clearly,”
Meaning
of Words: “look
up”: receive sight; “restore”: reconstitute;
Spiritual
Meaning: the
eyes of the blind man were gradually restored after the Lord twice put His
hands on his eyes, which symbolized that we would gradually know the Lord and
all spiritual things through the Lord’s repeated training.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Spiritual
enlightenment is increased gradually, not being received instantly. Therefore,
we shall seek more to be touched by the Lord so that we will have more clear
enlightenment.
2)
We
shall not think we are already perfected, but shall “pursue and we may get
possession” (Phil.3:12).
3)
Though
it was not very clear when he saw firstly, it was right. When he saw for the
second time, the object had not been changed, but he could see more clearly.
Therefore, we shall hold fast the goal of our pursuit, not seek other things
because of seeing vaguely.
Mark. 8:26 “Then
He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell
anyone in the town."”
YLT: “and he sent him
away to his house, saying, `Neither to the village mayest thou go, nor tell to
any in the village.'”
Spiritual
Meaning: “him”
(the blind man who was healed) typifies those who have obtained the revelation
of God and seen the spiritual enlightenment. The “town” symbolizes opinions and
viewpoints of men.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) When the Lord healed that
blind man, He firstly “led the man out of the town” (see v.23). After the man
was healed, the Lord commanded him “not go into the town”. Yes, if one desires
to see clearly, he shall be led out of the fleshly sphere by the Lord. After one
has been enlightened, one shall not return back to the original status.
2) Those who have real
revelation shall avoid taking counsel with flesh and blood (see Gal.1:16).
Mark. 8:27 “Now
Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the
road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I
am?" ”
YLT: “And Jesus went
forth, and his disciples, to the villages of Cesarea Philippi, and in the way
he was questioning his disciples, saying to them, `Who do men say me to be?'”
Literal Meaning:
“came into the region of Caesarea Philippi”, it was located in the north of the
Sea of Galilee, near to the root of the Mount Hermon, where was featured by
strong heathen color.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“Caesarea
Philippi” was far away from religious atmosphere and sphere. The Lord specially
brought the disciples there and asked them this important question, for
traditional religious knowledge and concepts always deceive men and hinder them
from receiving heavenly revelation.
2)
Knowing
Jesus Christ is the access to the spiritual realm. Anyone who does not know
Jesus Christ will not partake in the assembly and the kingdom of heaven.
Mark. 8:28 “So
they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of
the prophets." ”
YLT: “And they
answered, `John the Baptist, and others Elijah, but others one of the
prophets.'”
Literal Meaning:
the distinguishing feature of “John the Baptist” (see Matt. 3:4) was his
testimony of life. “Elijah” (See 1Kings. 19:14) was characterized by being
jealous for God. “One of the prophets,” the feature of “prophets” was to speak
for God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
John
the Baptist, Elijah and prophets were all servants used by God and who spoke
for God. They were at most like Christ in many aspects, but not Christ. Men can
know Christ completely without revelation.
2)
Even
the disciples who were with the Lord all day seemed not to know Christ clearly.
Those who speak of Christ with their mouth may not truly know Christ.
Mark. 8:29 “He
said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said
to Him, "You are the Christ." ”
YLT: “And he saith to
them, `And ye -- who do ye say me to be?' and Peter answering saith to him,
`Thou art the Christ.'”
Literal Meaning:
“you are the Christ,” “Christ” means the anointed one (Dan. 9:26) and this is
the Lord’s ministry received from God. God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit
and sent Him into the world to fulfill His mission (see Luke. 4:18-19).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Neither
Hearsay nor secondhand knowledge (“some say”) counts. Only personal and
firsthand knowledge (“do you say”) count. What is important is whether we have
true knowledge of the Lord.
2)
Knowing
the Lord is the starting point for men to forsake everything and pursue and
obtain Christ (see Pill. 3:8-12).
3)
Only
believing in Him is not enough, one has to confess Him with his mouth (see Rom.
10:9-10). The Lord likes us to declare that ---- “You are” the Christ.
Mark. 8:30 “Then
He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.”
YLT: “And he strictly
charged them that they may tell no one about it,”
Literal Meaning:
it was because the Jews had misunderstanding about “Christ” (the Messiah). They
thought that the coming Messiah was the whole nation’s savior who would lead the
Jews to rebel the domination of other nations and then build a kingdom of peace
of the Jews. Therefore if they had publicized that “He is Christ”, it was of no
help to His work of salvation and might contrarily cause troubles.
Enlightenment in the Word:
natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are
folly to Him (see 1Cor. 2:14). Therefore, we should not tell the experience and
things of the Spirit of God to others without any consideration (see Matt.
7:6).
Mark. 8:31 “And
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be
rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after
three days rise again. ”
YLT: “and began to
teach them, that it behoveth the Son of Man to suffer many things, and to be
rejected by the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and
after three days to rise again;”
Literal Meaning: “the
Son of Man must suffer many things”, “the Son of Man” indicated that He was
firstly bondman who suffered and then became the glorious Messiah (see Is. 53;
Dan.7:13-14).
The
Lord Jesus steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem to suffer many things
and death, thus keeping the will of God and fulfilling the work of salvation
rather than boasting His brute courage.
“Be rejected by the elders
and chief priests and scribes”: being persecuted by the Jewish Sanhedrin; “The
elders and chief priests and scribes” were the chief members of the Sanhedrin.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
deepest cross of believers is not troubles from unbelievers but that from those
who have status in the assembly and have biblical knowledge (“the elders and
chief priests”) and the trouble is numerous (“many things”).
2)
After
men have known the divinity of Christ (v.29), they have also to know Christ who
had redeemed men by death.
Mark. 8:32 “He
spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. ”
YLT: “and openly he
was speaking the word. And Peter having taken him aside, began to rebuke him,”
Meaning of Words: “rebuke”:
reprove, warn, forbid;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Peter,
according to his natural thoughts and feelings, dissuaded the Lord from going
to the cross. Therefore, the natural man neither knows the cross nor pleases to
receive the cross.
2)
Obviously
Peter only heard the word of the first half “suffer many things…and be killed”
but ignored the words of the last half “be raised the third day” (see v.31). He
made the mistake that the people also made ---- paying attention to the
negative words but neglecting the positive words. Actually the latter was more
important.
Mark. 8:33 “But
when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter,
saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of
God, but the things of men." ”
YLT: “and he, having
turned, and having looked on his disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, `Get behind
me, Adversary, because thou dost not mind the things of God, but the things of
men.'”
Meaning of Words: “Satan”:
the adversary, the accuser; “mindful”: put one’s mind in;
Literal Meaning:
“get behind Me, Satan!” ---- Peter’s dissuasion was out of Satan or like Satan,
so it should not block the way ahead.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
When
the Lord rebuked Peter, He “looked at His disciples”. It showed that the Lord’s
discipline to one brother was the warning for the whole assembly.
2)
One
who has received God’s revelation (see v.17) has to be mindful of God and do
the will of God.
3)
Anyone
who thinks on God is the one who is mindful of God. Only when someone thinks on
God will he be mindful of God.
4)
Once
Peter was not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men, he became
“Satan”. It shows that things of men are against (the meaning of Satan) the
will of God.
5)
Being
mindful of the things of God, but the things of men is caring about the profit
of men, but to sacrifice God’s profit.
6)
Satan
often utilizes the inclination of “seeking ease and comfort and being afraid of
sufferings” in human nature and makes men become its tools unconsciously.
7)
Peter
just said rightly (v.29) and for a short while he said wrongly. It shows that
no matter how spiritual a man is, once he is carless, he may be utilized by
Satan.
8)
Blessed
is he who knows Christ (see Matt.16:17). However, once someone rejects the
cross, he becomes “Satan” immediately. Here it shows that we need not only to
know Christ, but also to know the cross (see 1Cor. 2:2). Anything that holds
someone back from taking his cross is of Satan.
9)
Not
only the serpent (which deceives men to commit sins) is Satan, but also the
natural love without understanding the will of God and things of men are Satan.
10) Once the enemy wanted to
usurp the worship that God deserves, the Lord said immediately: “Get behind me,
Satan!” (see Matt. 4:8-10). Once the enemy wanted to hold up things of men and
overshadow the will of God, the Lord also said promptly: “Get behind me,
Satan!” The reason why it is called Satan is that it opposes God in these two
things.
11) The greatest aim of
Christ’s coming into the world is to fulfill the salvation on the cross. Anyone
who attempts to hinder the Lord from fulfilling the salvation is of one mind
with Satan and he will be rebuked by the Lord.
Mark. 8:34 “When
He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them,
"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow Me. ”
YLT: “And having
called near the multitude, with his disciples, he said to them, `Whoever doth
will to come after me -- let him disown himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me;”
Literal Meaning:
“let him deny himself,” “deny”: disown, abstain; not only denying the
connection but also breaking off the connection; “deny himself” means no longer
focusing on one’s own life and walking.
“Take up his cross”, there are two kinds
of crosses: a) Christ’s cross ---- it is for atonement (1Pet. 2:24); b) the
individual cross of believers (his cross) ---- it is for one to be crucified
with the Lord (Rom. 6:6). The cross includes three aspects ---- suffering many
things, being killed and being raised. Unfortunately, believers may only
generally know and experience the aspect of suffering and yet lack the
experience of being killed and being raised.
The
one who desires to “follow the Lord” shall forsake the self-concerned
conceptions in the world and deny himself for the sake of keeping the will of
the Lord completely. Such man will be delivered from the bondage of the world.
The word “follow” in the original contains the meaning of “continuing on and
on”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Our
“selves” are the greatest troubles hindering men from following the Lord. Only
when we have denied ourselves will we obey the Lord’s guidance unconditionally
and walk in the way of the Lord.
2)
The
slogan of the cross is to “take away” (John. 19:15). Therefore to take up the
cross is to take away one’s self, that is to deny oneself ---- being crucified
to the world and to himself (Gal. 6:14).
3)
If
we want to follow the Lord, we have to deny ourselves. If we want to deny
ourselves, we have to take our own crosses. The Lord has arranged different
crosses for each of us, and everyone has his own cross.
Mark. 8:35 “For
whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for
My sake and the gospel's will save it.”
YLT: “for whoever may
will to save his life shall lose it; and whoever may lose his life for my sake
and for the good news' sake, he shall save it;”
Meaning of Words: “loses”:
die, miss, destroy;
Literal Meaning:
“life” is “soul” in the original. It includes mind, feeling and will.
This verse means that anyone who seeks
comfort and ease in this world and satisfies his soul will suffer in the coming
age and lose the enjoyment of soul. Anyone who suffers for the Lord’s sake will
receive the enjoyment of soul in the coming age.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
one who saves actually loses. And the one who loses actually saves. The one who
gains actually loses and the one who loses actually gains (see v.36). We shall
know it so that we will not be regretful in the coming age.
2)
“Losing
his life” in this verse is also “denying oneself” and “taking up his cross” in
the previous verse. What the cross finally deals with is one’s self and the
life of soul.
3)
Taking
up one’s cross and denying oneself always make the soul suffer. All that which
has not made the soul suffer can not be counted as the cross.
Mark. 8:36 “For
what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
YLT: “for what shall
it profit a man, if he may gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?”
Literal Meaning:
“a man if he gains the whole world”, “the whole world” refers to all that can
be accomplished or obtained in this world.
“Loses
his own soul”, it means death.
If a man gains the whole world, he only
render his soul have short enjoyment. If someone loses his own soul, his soul
will suffer eternal losses. Which one is profitable in the two conditions
above? Man should know it at heart.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
world is useful only when men are alive. However, men can not exchange the
world for life because life is more precious than the world.
2)
This
verse shows that “the world” is opposite to “life”. If someone loves the world,
he will lose his life. Therefore we should not love the world, but treasure the
life.
Mark. 8:37 “Or
what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ”
YLT: “Or what shall a
man give as an exchange for his life?”
Literal Meaning:
“what will … give in exchange”, it refers to vendible equivalent in the
original.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
It
is true that life is precious, but men will die one day. Therefore, when we
still live, we should seize the opportunity to use our life (see Eph.5:16 the
original).
2)
Our
life shall not be used by ourselves ---- namely, to take gaining the whole
world as the object of pursuit (see v.36), but be used by the Lord ---- namely,
to take the glory of the Lord and the Lord’s word as the pursuit of the object
(see v.38).
Mark. 8:38 “For
whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also
will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy
angels." ”
YLT: “for whoever may
be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation,
the Son of Man also shall be ashamed of him, when he may come in the glory of
his Father, with the holy messengers.'”
Literal Meaning:
“of him…will be ashamed”, it indicates that He will judge according to men’s
attitude toward Him when He comes again in His glory.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
All
those who desire to catch up with this adulterous and sinful generation and
refuse to follow and please Christ will have no part in the kingdom of God.
2)
“Me
and My words” that the Lord said were “Christ and the cross” mentioned before
(see v.29, 34). All those were ashamed of Christ and the cross will be ashamed
in the kingdom. On the contrary, all those who glorify Christ and His cross
must have part in the glory of the future.
3)
If
indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17).
However, if we covet for the pleasure in sins, we will be rewarded what he
deserves.
4)
The
order of the revelation in this chapter is: a) Christ; b) the cross; c) the
glory. Christ is the center of revelation. The cross is the way to manifest
Christ. Glory has manifested Christ to the utmost.
5)
Only
knowing Christ and walking on the way of the cross will fully manifest Christ
and it is the glory.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The
Meaning of the Sign ---- Four Thousands Men Were Fed with Seven Loaves (v.1-10)
A.
It
indicated that the Lord was the Creator.
B.
He
is the bread of life that can satisfy men’s need.
C.
He
is the blessed one and gave His body to be broken for us, so He can satisfy
men’s need.
D.
His
provision is more than sufficient and even that fragments are sufficient enough
to supply men throughout generations.
We
Should Know the Lord Jesus As
A.
He
is the provision of our life (v.1-10);
B.
His
word (spit) is an necessary element for us to see spiritually (v.22-26);
C.
He
is the Christ of God (v.27-29);
D.
He
is our Redeemer (v.30-33);
E.
He
will come again in glory (v.34-38);
How
to Have Deeper Knowledge about the Lord Jesus?
A.
To
have more experience of the Lord (v.1-10);
B.
One
shall not focus on the outward phenomenon and sign (v.11-13).
C.
One
shall take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees (v.14
D. One shall take heed of Herod (v.15b)
---- not be blinded by realism.
E.
One
shall spiritual understanding (v.16-21).
F.
One
shall be anointed and immersed by the Lord’s word (spit) (v.22-26).
G.
One
shall go to Caesarea Philippi with the Lord (v. 27-29) ---- one will not know
He is “Christ” until he is separated from traditional religious concepts.
H.
One
shall be mindful of the things of God, not the things of men (v.30-33).
I.
One
shall deny himself and follow the Lord closely(v.34).
J.
One
shall care about what is eternal, not temporary (v.35-38).
The
Comparision in Chapter Eight of the Book of Mark
A.
“Seven
loaves” and “seven large baskets of leftover fragments” (v.5, 8) ---- He turns
what is limited to unlimited.
B.
“One
side” and “the other side” of the sea (v.10, 13) ---- the Lord’s compassion and
rejection;
C.
The
“seeing” of the Pharisees and the “seeing” of the blind man who had been healed
(v.11, 25) ---- seeing to seek signs and seeing to experience signs;
D.
“The
leaven of the Pharisees” and “the leaven of Herod” (v.15) ---- the religious
evil and worldly evil;
E.
The
first “looking up” of the blind man and the second “looking up” (v.24, 25) ----
looking up to “receive the Lord’s word (spit)” and looking up to “be united with
the Lord” (put His hands on his eyes);
F.
Peter’s
declaring that Jesus is Christ and His “dissuading” the Lord from going to the
cross (v.29, 32) ---- through “revelation” and through “men’s mind”.
G.
“Be
mindful of the things of God” and “be mindful of the things of men” (v.33).
H.
“Save
and lose” and “lose and save” (v.35) ---- he who enjoys in this generation will
loae in the coming generation; he who loses in this age will enjoy in the
coming age.
I.
“The
whole world” and “one’s own soul” (v.36-37) ---- absent in the body and present
in the body;
J.
The
one who is ashamed of the Lord and the Lord’s words as well as he of whom the
Lord will be ashamed (v.38) ---- attitude in this age and reward in the coming
age.
The
Process of One’s Spiritual Eyes’ Being Opened
A.
He
camt to ask the Lord Jesus (v.22).
B.
He
was brought to leave the multitude ---- led him out of the town (v
C.
The
working and inspiration of the life in the Lord’s word ---- He had spit on his
eyes (v.23b).
D.
Blessings
of the Lord and being united with the Lord ---- put His hands on him (v
E.
His
eyesight was still vague when his eyes were firstly opened ---- I see men like
trees, walking (v.24).
F.
Having
experienced deeper union with the Lord ---- put His hands
on his eyes (v
G.
The
eyes of heart could see clearly ---- he was restored and saw everyone clearly
(v.25b).
H.
No
longer being effected by men ---- not go into the town (v.26).
The
Way to the Kingdom of God
A.
One
must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and
scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
B.
Once
one is mindful of things of himself, Satan is just making use of him and
hindering him from going ahead (v.33).
C.
One
shall deny himself and take his cross to follow the Lord (v.34).
D.
One
shall lose the enjoyment of soul for the sake of the Lord and gospel (v.35-37).
E.
One
shall not be ashamed of the Lord and the Lord’s word (v.38).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou