ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Mark 8

Mark 8:1–10 The feeding of the 4,000 probably took place in Gentile territory. Jesus is the living bread for Gentiles as well as for Jews.

Mark 8:5 Seven. See note on Matt. 15:34.

Mark 8:6 Giving thanks, breaking bread, and distributing it are common elements in a Jewish meal.

Mark 8:8 satisfied. . . . left over, seven baskets full. Jesus provides beyond satisfaction (compare 6:43).

Mark 8:11 The Pharisees demand not just a miracle but a sign from heaven. But they didn’t have the one thing that Jesus required: a fundamental change of heart.

Mark 8:12 sighed. For other examples of Jesus expressing emotions, see 1:41; 3:5; 7:34. this generation. Compare Deut. 32:5; Ps. 95:10; Mark 9:19. no sign. See note on Matt. 12:39. For the person who has an open heart, Jesus’ miracles should be more than enough to show that he truly is the Messiah.

Mark 8:13 In v. 10, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee traveling west; now he crosses it again, traveling east.

Mark 8:14–15 Jesus uses leaven to describe the self-centered, self-reliant Pharisees and Herod Antipas. See note on 1 Cor. 5:6–7.

Mark 8:16 had no bread. The disciples take the term “leaven” (v. 15) literally, showing their ongoing inability to understand spiritual truths (see vv. 17–21).

Mark 8:17–18 not yet perceive or understand. While the Pharisees reject Jesus’ teaching outright, the disciples are slow to appreciate it. The figurative reference to eyes and ears echoes the healings of the deaf (7:31–35) and blind (8:22–26) men. Jesus wants to open the “ears” and “eyes” of the disciples’ hearts.

Mark 8:21 Now that Jesus has twice multiplied food, the disciples should understand the significance of these miracles: he who stands before them is none other than the eternal creator and giver of life (see Col. 1:15–20).

Mark 8:23–25 Jesus led the blind man out of the village, perhaps to get away from hostile onlookers (see 5:40; 6:6). The blind man’s first response, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking,” could be seen as similar to the disciples’ lack of understanding (8:17–21).

Mark 8:27–16:8 Testing Jesus’ Authority in Suffering. Having displayed his messianic authority and power (1:1–8:26), Jesus is now tested as the Messiah of God.

Mark 8:27–10:52 Journey to Jerusalem. As Jesus and his disciples journey toward Jerusalem, he warns them three times about his approaching death and teaches them about the cost of discipleship.

Mark 8:27–29a Caesarea Philippi. See note on Matt. 16:13. Who do people say that I am? Jesus’ questions prepare the disciples for his teaching. He must show them that the Messiah of God is to be humbled (Mark 8:31; 10:45) and then exalted (8:38) for the sake of his people. This goes against popular messianic expectations. On John the Baptist and Elijah, see note on 6:14b–15.

Mark 8:29b–30 Peter speaks for the Twelve (compare 1:36; 8:32; 9:5; 10:28; 14:29) and confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah (2 Sam. 7:14–16; Psalm 2; Jer. 23:5–6) who they expect will liberate the Jewish people from Rome. Peter’s confession is God-given (Matt. 16:17) but incomplete, for Jesus will also suffer for his people (Isa. 53:1–12; Mark 8:31; 10:45). This is why Jesus charges his disciples to tell no one about him.

Mark 8:31 must . . . be killed. Christ’s death is necessary because the messianic rule of God must begin with atonement for sin. Christ’s death will be the sacrifice that brings reconciliation between God and man. That Jesus would rise again must puzzle the disciples. They expect only the general resurrection of all mankind at the end of the age, prior to judgment (Dan. 12:2).

Mark 8:33 turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter. The fact that Jesus looked at all the disciples implies that his rebuke of Peter was intended for all of them. “Get behind me, Satan!” It is only Peter’s thoughts and words (see v. 32), not him personally, that Jesus rejects as satanic.

Mark 8:34 Following the first major prediction of his death and resurrection (v. 31), Jesus gives instructions in discipleship to all those who would come after me. They should deny themselves and take up their cross so that they will be free to follow the Messiah (1:18). Each of the major predictions of Jesus’ death and resurrection (see chart) is followed by teaching on discipleship (8:33–9:1; 9:33–50; 10:38–45).

Mark 8:35 Jesus’ teaching here involves a paradox: The person who lives a self-centered life (would save his life) will not find eternal life with God (will lose it), but the person who gives up his self-centered life (loses his life) for the sake of Christ and the gospel will find everlasting life with God (will save it; see v. 38).

Mark 8:38 of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed. Jesus claims divine authority in final judgment.