Mark 8:23
And 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 upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπιλαβόμενος
he took
G1949
ἐπιλαβόμενος
he took
Strong's:
G1949
Word #:
2 of 26
to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
by the hand
G5495
χεῖρας
by the hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
4 of 26
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τυφλοῦ
the blind man
G5185
τυφλοῦ
the blind man
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
6 of 26
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 26
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
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
on
G1519
εἰς
on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 26
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
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
by the hand
G5495
χεῖρας
by the hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
20 of 26
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 26
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
Mark 7:33And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;Mark 5:23And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.Isaiah 44:2Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.Isaiah 51:18There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.Acts 9:8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Historical Context
In the Greco-Roman world, saliva was widely believed to possess healing properties, documented in medical texts by Pliny the Elder and Tacitus. Jewish law permitted healing actions on the Sabbath when life-threatening, though spitting could render someone unclean. Jesus's methods engaged contemporary cultural categories while demonstrating power beyond natural remedies.
Questions for Reflection
- Why might Jesus use physical means (touch, saliva) when He could heal with a word? What does this reveal about incarnational ministry?
- How does Jesus's patient, incremental approach here contrast with our demand for immediate results in spiritual growth?
- In what areas of life might God be asking you, 'Do you see anything yet?'—checking on spiritual perception still in progress?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town—Jesus's personal touch (ἐπιλαβόμενος, epilabomenos, 'taking hold of') demonstrates compassionate guidance, leading one who cannot see. Removing him from the town may indicate avoiding public spectacle (note verse 26's command to silence) or escaping the unbelieving atmosphere that characterized Bethsaida (Matthew 11:21).
When he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him—The use of saliva (πτύσας, ptusas) appears in only three healing miracles (here, Mark 7:33, John 9:6). In ancient Near Eastern culture, saliva was thought to have curative properties, but Jesus transcends mere folk medicine. The combination of spittle and touch creates tangible contact points for faith. His question ei ti blepeis (εἴ τι βλέπεις, 'Do you see anything?') is unique—the only recorded instance where Jesus checks healing progress mid-miracle, emphasizing the pedagogical nature of this two-stage restoration.