Mark 8:22
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔρχεταί
he cometh
G2064
ἔρχεταί
he cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 14
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 14
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φέρουσιν
they bring
G5342
φέρουσιν
they bring
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
6 of 14
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τυφλὸν
a blind man
G5185
τυφλὸν
a blind man
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
8 of 14
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρακαλοῦσιν
besought
G3870
παρακαλοῦσιν
besought
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
10 of 14
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Matthew 11:21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto 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.Mark 6:45And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.Luke 10:13Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.Mark 2:3And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.Matthew 8:15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.John 1:44Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.John 12:21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.Matthew 8:3And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.Matthew 9:29Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Historical Context
Bethsaida, Philip's hometown (John 1:44), was a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee's northeast shore, recently elevated to city status by Philip the Tetrarch. Jesus had condemned it for unbelief despite mighty works (Matthew 11:21), yet compassionate ministry continued there. First-century healing often involved touch and ritual actions understood within Greco-Roman medical contexts.
Questions for Reflection
- Who in your life needs you to bring them to Jesus through persistent, faith-filled intercession?
- How does this gradual healing challenge modern expectations of instant spiritual transformation?
- What 'spiritual blindness' in your own life might Jesus be healing in stages rather than instantaneously?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him—The arrival at Bethsaida (Βηθσαϊδά, 'house of fishing') introduces Mark's unique two-stage healing miracle. The verb parakalosin (παρακαλῶσιν, 'they besought') indicates earnest intercession by friends on the blind man's behalf, demonstrating faith-filled advocacy. This healing forms the structural center of Mark 8, bracketed by discussions of spiritual blindness (8:14-21) and Peter's confession (8:27-30).
Mark's placement is theologically deliberate: just as physical sight comes gradually, so does spiritual perception. The disciples have just failed to understand Jesus's warning about leaven (8:14-21), their eyes spiritually obscured. This miracle becomes a living parable of progressive revelation, anticipating how the disciples' understanding will unfold in stages—from confusion, to partial recognition of Jesus as Messiah, to complete comprehension only after the resurrection.