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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Mark 8:22–26. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
This cure is related only by this evangelist, and there is something singular in the circumstances.
I.Here is a blind man brought to Christ by his friends, with a desire that he would touch him, Mar 8:22.
Here appears the faith of those that brought him - they doubted not but that one touch of Christ's hand would recover him his sight; but the man himself showed not that earnestness for, or expectation of, a cure that other blind men did. If those that are spiritually blind, do not pray for themselves, yet let their friends and relations pray for them, that Christ would be pleased to touch them.
II.Here is Christ leading this blind man, Mar 8:23.
He did not bid his friends lead him, but (which bespeaks his wonderful condescension) he himself took him by the hand, and led him, to teach us to be as Job was, eyes to the blind, Job 29:15. Never had poor blind man such a Leader. He led him out of the town. Had he herein only designed privacy, he might have led him into a house, into an inner chamber, and have cured him there; but he intended hereby to upbraid Bethsaida with the mighty works that had in vain been done in her (Mat 11:21), and was telling her, in effect, she was unworthy to have any more done within her walls. Perhaps Christ took the blind man out of the town, that he might have a larger prospect in the open fields, to try his sight with, than he could have in the close streets.
III.Here is the cure of the blind man, by that blessed Oculist, who came into the world to preach the recovering of sight to the blind (Luk 4:18), and to give what he preached. In this cure we may observe,
1.That Christ used a sign; he spat on his eyes (spat into them, so some), and put his hand upon him. He could have cured him, as he did others, with a word speaking, but thus he was pleased to assist his faith which was very weak, and to help him against his unbelief. And this spittle signified the eye-salve wherewith Christ anoints the eyes of those that are spiritually blind, Rev 3:18.
2.That the cure was wrought gradually, which was not usual in Christ's miracles. He asked him if he saw aught, Mar 8:23. Let him tell what condition his sight was in, for the satisfaction of those about him. And he looked up; so far he recovered his sight, that he could open his eyes, and he said, I see men as trees walking; he could not distinguish men from trees, otherwise than he could discern them to move. He had some glimmerings of sight, and betwixt him and the sky could perceive a man erect like a tree, but could not discern the form thereof, Job 4:16. But,
3.It was soon completed; Christ never doeth his work by the halves, nor leaves it till he can say, It is finished. He put his hands again upon his eyes, to disperse the remaining darkness, and then bade him look up again, and he saw every man clearly, Mar 8:25. Now Christ took this way,
(1.)Because he would not tie himself to a method, but would show with what liberty he acted in all he did. He did not cure by rote, as I may say, and in a road, but varied as he thought fit. Providence gains the same end in different ways, that men may attend its motions with an implicit faith.
(2.)Because it should be to the patient according to his faith; and perhaps this man's faith was at first very weak, but afterward gathered strength, and accordingly his cure was. Not that Christ always went by this rule, but thus he would sometimes put a rebuke upon those who came to him, doubting.
(3.)Thus Christ would show how, and in what method, those are healed by his grace, who by nature are spiritually blind; at first, their knowledge is confused, they see men as trees walking; but, like the light of the morning, it shines more and more to the perfect day, and then they see all things clearly, Pro 4:18. Let us enquire then, if we see aught of those things which faith is the substance and evidence of; and if through grace we see any thing of them, we may hope that we shall see yet more and more, for Jesus Christ will perfect for ever those that are sanctified.
IV.The directions Christ gave the man he had cured, not to tell it to any in the town of Bethsaida, nor so much as to go into the town, where probably there were some expecting him to come back, who had seen Christ lead him out of the town, but, having been eyewitnesses of so many miracles, had not so much as the curiosity to follow him: let not those be gratified with the sight of him when he was cured, who would not show so much respect to Christ as to go a step out of the town, to see this cure wrought. Christ doth not forbid him to tell it to others, but he must not tell it to any in the town. Slighting Christ's favours is forfeiting them; and Christ will make those know the worth of their privileges by the want of them, that would not know them otherwise. Bethsaida, in the day of her visitation, would not know the things that belonged to her peace, and now they are hid from her eyes. They will not see, and therefore shall not see.
Historical interpretation
Eight Centuries of Reception
5 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
And He brings him out of the town, that is, out of the neighbourhood of the wicked; and He puts spittle into his eyes, that he may see the will of God, by the breath of the Holy Ghost; and putting His hands upon him, He asked him if he could see, because by the works of the Lord His majesty is seen.
Or else, he sees men as trees, because he thinks all men higher than himself. But He put His hands again upon his eyes, that he might see all things clearly, that is, understand invisible things by visible, and with the eye of a pure mind contemplate, what the eye hath not seen, the glorious state of his own soul after the rust of sin. He sent him to his home, that is, to his heart; that he might see in himself things which he had not seen before; for a man despairing of salvation does not think that he can do at all what, when enlightened, he can easily accomplish.
And He says to him, If thou enter into the town, tell it not to any one, that is, relate continually to thy neighbours thy blindness, but never tell them of thy virtue.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) He spat indeed, and put His hand upon the blind man, because He wished to show that wonderful are the effects of the Divine word added to action; for the hand is the symbol of working, but the spittle, of the word proceeding out of the mouth. Again He asked him whether he could see any thing, which He had not done in the case of any whom He had healed, thus showing that by the weak faith of those who brought him, and of the blind man himself, his eyes could not altogether be opened. Wherefore there follows: And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees walking; because he was still under the influence of unfaithfulness, he said that he saw men obscurely.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat, in Marc.) From the commencement, however, of the return of his senses, He leads him to apprehend things by faith, and thus makes him see perfectly; wherefore it goes on, After that, he put his hands again upon his eyes, and he began to see, and afterwards he adds, And he was restored, and saw all things clearly; that is, being perfectly healed in his senses and his intellect. It goes on: And he sent him away to his house, saying, Go into thy home, and if thou enter into the town, tell it not to any one.
(ubi sup.) Taking occasion then from the precept, which He had commanded, saying, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod, our Saviour teaches them what was the meaning of the five and the seven loaves, concerning which He adds, And do ye not remember, when I brake the five loaves amongst five thousand, and how many baskets full of fragments ye took up? For if the leaven mentioned above means perverse traditions, of course the food, with which the people of God was nourished, means the true doctrine.
(in Marc. 2, 34) Knowing that the touch of the Lord could give sight to a blind man as well as cleanse a leper. It goes on, And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town.
(ubi sup.) Seeing indeed the shapes of bodies amongst the shadows, but unable to distinguish the outlines of the limbs, from the continued darkness of his sight; just as trees standing thick together are wont to appear to men who see them from afar, or by the dim light of the night, so that it cannot easily be known whether they be trees or men.
(ubi sup.) Or else, He leaves an example to His disciples that they should not seek for popular favour by the miracles which they did. 1Mystically, however, Bethsaida is interpreted 'the house of the valley,' that is, the world, which is the vale of tears. Again, they bring to the Lord a blind man, that is, one who neither sees what he has been, what he is, nor what he is to be. They ask Him to touch him, for what is being touched, but feeling compunction.?
(ubi sup.) For the Lord touches us, when He enlightens our minds with the breath of His Spirit, and He stirs us up that we may recognise our own infirmity, and be diligent in good actions. He takes the hand of the blind man, that He may strengthen him to the practice of good works.
(ubi sup.) Or else, putting spittle into the eyes of the blind man, he lays His hands upon him that he may see, because He has wiped away the blindness of the human race both by invisible gifts, and by the Sacrament of His assumed humanity; for the spittle, proceeding from the Head, points out the grace of the Holy Ghost. But though by one word He could cure the man wholly and all at once, still He cures him by degrees, that He may show the greatness of the blindness of man, which can hardly, and only as it were step by step, be restored to light; and He exhibits to us His grace, by which He furthers each step towards perfection. Again, whoever is weighed down by a blindness of such long continuance, that he is unable to distinguish between good and evil, sees as it were men like trees walking, because he sees the deeds of the multitude without the light of discretion.
For Bethsaida appears to have been infected with much infidelity, wherefore the Lord reproaches it, (Matt. 11:21) Woe to thee, Bethsaida, for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. He then takes out of the town the blind man, who had been brought to Him, for the faith of those who brought him was not true faith. It goes on; And when he had spit in his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
But the reason why he did not see at once perfectly, but in part, was, that he had not perfect faith; for healing is bestowed in proportion to faith.
These precepts He gave him, because they were unfaithful, as has been said, lest perchance he should receive hurt in his soul from them, and they by their unbelief should ran into a more grievous crime.
Or else, after He has healed him He sends him to his home; for the home of every one of us is heaven, and the mansions which are there.
(non occ.) After the feeding of the multitude, the Evangelist proceeds to the giving sight to the blind, saying, And they come to Bethsaida, and they bring a blind man to him, and besought him to touch him.
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Summary
Mark 8:24 captures a pivotal moment in the unique two-stage healing of a blind man in Bethsaida, where he describes his initial, partially restored vision: "I see men as trees, walking." This vivid, disorienting description reveals a blurred perception, signifying a transition from complete darkness to imperfect sight, and serves as a powerful metaphor for the disciples' own gradual spiritual understanding of Jesus's identity and mission.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is embedded within a significant narrative block in Mark's Gospel, following Jesus's feeding of the four thousand and a challenging encounter with the Pharisees who demand a sign. Immediately preceding this miracle, Jesus has a private conversation with His disciples about their lack of understanding regarding the "leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod" and their inability to comprehend His miraculous provisions, despite witnessing the feeding of both the five thousand and the four thousand. The disciples' spiritual dullness is explicitly highlighted, setting the stage for a physical healing that strikingly mirrors their own journey toward spiritual clarity. The two-stage healing of the blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26) is unique in the Gospels, serving as a narrative bridge to Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ just a few verses later (Mark 8:27-30).
Historical & Cultural Context
Bethsaida was a fishing village on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, a region where Jesus performed many miracles. The healing of the blind was a common theme in ancient Jewish prophecy regarding the Messiah's coming (e.g., Isaiah 35:5). While many healings in the Gospels were instantaneous, this gradual restoration of sight would have been unusual and perhaps even perplexing to observers expecting immediate divine intervention. This particular method of healing, involving spittle and a touch, was not uncommon for Jesus, but the progressive nature of the healing itself sets it apart, inviting deeper reflection on its symbolic meaning rather than just its historical occurrence.
Key Themes
The primary theme is Gradual Spiritual Perception. The blind man's journey from complete darkness to partial sight ("men as trees, walking") and then to full clarity directly parallels the disciples' own struggle to grasp Jesus's true identity and the nature of His kingdom. Their spiritual "blindness" is a recurring motif in Mark, particularly evident in their inability to understand the significance of the bread in Mark 8:14-21. The miracle also underscores Jesus's Sovereignty and Adaptability in Healing, demonstrating that His power is not confined to a single method, but can operate in diverse ways for specific pedagogical or illustrative purposes. Finally, it highlights the theme of Discipleship as a Process, emphasizing that understanding and following Christ is often a progressive journey, not an instantaneous revelation.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Derived from a word possibly meaning "oak," this term refers to a tall, upright plant. In the context of the blind man's vision, it signifies the indistinct, elongated shapes he perceives, lacking the clear definition of human forms. The comparison highlights his inability to discern specific human features, reducing people to generic, moving upright objects.
Properly meaning "to stare at" or "discern clearly," this verb here describes a partial, blurred perception. It indicates that while the man has regained some visual faculty, his sight is far from perfect, preventing him from clearly distinguishing objects. This initial "seeing" is a significant step from total blindness but falls short of true clarity.
This verb means "to tread all around" or "walk at large," often used figuratively for one's manner of life or conduct. Here, it literally describes the movement of the indistinct figures, adding to the surreal and disorienting nature of the man's initial vision. The movement confirms that he is seeing living beings, but their form remains indistinguishable.
Verse Breakdown
"And he looked up, and said,"
This clause describes the man's immediate action and response after Jesus's first touch. The act of "looking up" signifies an attempt to engage with his newly acquired, albeit partial, sight, and his subsequent verbalization indicates a conscious effort to describe his perception to Jesus.
"I see men as trees, walking."
This is the core of the verse, a striking description of blurred and distorted vision. The man perceives human figures, but their outlines are so indistinct that they resemble tall, moving trees. This vivid imagery conveys a state of partial blindness, where forms and identities are obscured, highlighting the incomplete nature of his healing at this stage.
Literary Devices
Mark employs several literary devices to enrich the meaning of this verse. The most prominent is Simile, explicitly stated in "men as trees, walking." This comparison vividly conveys the man's disoriented and incomplete vision, where human figures are reduced to indistinct, moving shapes. This immediate, jarring imagery serves to emphasize the partial nature of the healing. Furthermore, there is profound Symbolism at play. The blind man's gradual healing is widely interpreted as a living parable for the disciples' own spiritual journey. Just as the man initially sees imperfectly, the disciples, despite being with Jesus, struggle to fully comprehend His identity, teachings, and the nature of His kingdom. This "spiritual blindness" is a recurring theme in Mark, making the physical healing a powerful metaphor for the process of spiritual enlightenment. The unique, two-stage healing also presents a subtle Dramatic Irony, as Jesus, who typically heals instantly, performs this miracle in stages, perhaps to underscore the very point about gradual understanding that the disciples need to grasp.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Mark 8:24 stands as a unique and profound moment in the Gospels, not merely as a record of a physical healing, but as a potent theological statement about the nature of spiritual perception and the process of discipleship. The man's partial sight, seeing "men as trees, walking," powerfully illustrates that spiritual understanding is often a progressive journey, not an instantaneous flash of insight. This mirrors the disciples' own struggle to fully grasp Jesus's identity and the implications of His messianic mission. Just as the blind man required a second touch for full clarity, believers often need ongoing divine intervention and persistent seeking to move from blurry, incomplete understanding to a clear vision of God's truth and purpose for their lives. It reassures us that God meets us where we are, even in our partial understanding, and patiently leads us towards greater revelation.
Reflection and Application
The account of the blind man seeing "men as trees, walking" offers profound insights for our spiritual journey. It reminds us that spiritual growth and understanding are often a process, not an immediate event. There will be times when our spiritual vision is blurry, when we perceive God's truth or His will for our lives only dimly, like indistinct shapes. This verse encourages patience and humility, acknowledging that partial understanding is a natural part of the journey. It is in admitting our limited sight that we open ourselves to God's further revelation. Just as the blind man's confession of partial sight led to Jesus's second touch and complete restoration, our honest acknowledgment of spiritual "blurriness" invites the Lord to grant us deeper clarity and insight. We are called to persist in seeking Him, trusting that He is faithful to complete the work He begins in us, leading us from initial glimpses to full, vibrant spiritual perception.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jesus heal the blind man in two stages, unlike most of His other miracles?
While the Gospels typically record Jesus performing instantaneous healings, the two-stage healing of the blind man in Mark 8:22-26 is unique and highly symbolic. Many scholars interpret this gradual restoration of sight as a living parable for the disciples' own spiritual journey. Just as the blind man initially saw imperfectly, the disciples, despite being with Jesus, were struggling to fully grasp His identity and the nature of His kingdom, as highlighted in the preceding verses (Mark 8:14-21). The two-stage healing visually represents the process of moving from spiritual blindness to partial understanding, and then to full, clear perception, culminating in Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ just a few verses later (Mark 8:29). It underscores that spiritual insight is often a progressive revelation, not an immediate flash.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Mark 8:24, with its vivid depiction of partial sight, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus's ultimate mission to open not just physical eyes, but spiritual ones. The blind man's journey from darkness to seeing "men as trees, walking," and finally to clear vision, powerfully prefigures Christ's work in bringing humanity from spiritual blindness to the light of truth. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ provides the "second touch" that enables us to see God clearly, to understand the Scriptures, and to discern His will. Just as the blind man's healing was a process, our spiritual enlightenment is often a progressive unveiling of Christ's glory and truth, leading us from a hazy perception of God to a full and vibrant relationship with Him, as we are transformed "from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18). He is the one who truly "opens the eyes of the blind" (Isaiah 42:7), enabling us to perceive the kingdom of God and the saving truth of the Gospel.