Why did Jesus heal the man gradually in stages? Perhaps He did so to show that He could heal in any manner He chose. [1] Perhaps the man was fearful, and Jesus healed him as He did to accommodate his needs. [2] Perhaps He did so to illustrate for the disciples that He chose to give spiritual perception one step at a time. Perhaps He wanted to present Himself as the Great Physician. Probably Jesus had more than one reason. [source][source][source]
"Is this miracle paradigmatic of Jesus" struggle with the disciples? Is Jesus" earthly ministry stage one, during which time Jesus must contend with the disciples who are at once committed to him but afflicted with incomprehension? Is the time following Easter stage two, when Jesus shall have led the disciples, like this Prayer of Manasseh , to "see everything clearly"?" [3][source]
Mark was careful to record that the man "looked intently" (NASB). Human responsibility played a part in this healing as does gaining spiritual understanding. Nevertheless it is God who is ultimately responsible for the perception. Perhaps Jesus healed the man"s optic nerve completely at first, but, as with children, the man had to learn to focus on objects. So Jesus touched the man"s eyes a second time, which gave him the ability to see clearly. [4][source]
"The primary focus of this story, however, is on the man"s total healing. The disciples show themselves to be in need of the second touch, and the story bespeaks their experiencing it. A time must come when they see all things distinctly." [5][source]
Context Summary
Mark 8:22-38 - The Cost Of Following Jesus
Our attention has been drawn to the Master's sighs; here, however, was another characteristic act. He spat on the eyes of the blind man, perhaps to excite his expectation and faith. Repulsive as ophthalmia is in the East, it did not repel Him nor staunch the flow of His pity.
We do not at once see everything clearly, but step by step we come unto perfect vision. Here we see through a glass darkly, there face to face. There was a great price to be paid; it was only through suffering and death that Jesus could do His greatest work, in redeeming and cleansing the children of men. He might have been the miracle-worker apart from Calvary; but to be the Savior, He must not spare Himself but be willing to pour out His soul even unto death. It was hard for the Apostles to learn this lesson; they wanted the Master to spare Himself. Peter, especially, sought to dissuade Him; but the Lord knew better the desperate need of men and how it must be met. There are three conditions to be fulfilled by those who have resolved to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. 1. We must deny self; 2. Each must take up his cross; 3. We must think more of others than of ourselves. If these are realized, the soul is following Christ and making progress, even though it deems itself stagnant or drifting back. [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 8
1Jesus feeds the people miraculously; 10refuses to give a sign to the Pharisees; 14admonishes his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod; 22gives a blind man his sight; 27acknowledges that he is the Jesus who should suffer and rise again; 34and exhorts to patience in persecution for the profession of the gospel
Greek Commentary for Mark 8:25
He looked steadfastly [διεβλεπσεν] He saw thoroughly now, effective aorist Some manuscripts (margin in Westcott and Hort) read δηλαυγως dēlaugōs from δηλος dēlos plain, and αυγη augē radiance. [source]
Made him look up [] The best texts omit, and substitute διέβλεψεν , he looked stedfastly. See on Matthew 7:5. Instead of vaguely staring, he fixed his eyes on definite objects. [source]
He saw [ἐνέβλεπεν] Imperfect tense. Continuous action. He saw and continued to see. Compare the aorist tense above: He looked stedfastly, fastened his eyes, denoting the single act, the first exercise of his restored sight. [source]
Every man [] Following the reading ἕπαντας . But the best texts read ἅπαντα , all things. So Rev. [source]
Clearly [τηλαυγῶς] From τῆλε , far, αὐγή , shining. The farthest things were clearly seen. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 8:25
Matthew 7:5Shalt thou see clearly [διαβλεπσεις] Only here and Luke 6:42 and Mark 8:25 in the New Testament. Look through, penetrate in contrast to βλεπεις blepeis to gaze at, in Matthew 7:3. Get the log out of your eye and you will see clearly how to help the brother get the splinter out (εκβαλειν ekbalein) of his eye. [source]
Greek Commentary for Mark 8:25
He saw thoroughly now, effective aorist Some manuscripts (margin in Westcott and Hort) read δηλαυγως dēlaugōs from δηλος dēlos plain, and αυγη augē radiance. [source]
The best texts omit, and substitute διέβλεψεν , he looked stedfastly. See on Matthew 7:5. Instead of vaguely staring, he fixed his eyes on definite objects. [source]
Imperfect tense. Continuous action. He saw and continued to see. Compare the aorist tense above: He looked stedfastly, fastened his eyes, denoting the single act, the first exercise of his restored sight. [source]
Following the reading ἕπαντας . But the best texts read ἅπαντα , all things. So Rev. [source]
From τῆλε , far, αὐγή , shining. The farthest things were clearly seen. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 8:25
Only here and Luke 6:42 and Mark 8:25 in the New Testament. Look through, penetrate in contrast to βλεπεις blepeis to gaze at, in Matthew 7:3. Get the log out of your eye and you will see clearly how to help the brother get the splinter out (εκβαλειν ekbalein) of his eye. [source]
Everywhere else in N.T. this particle marks a succession of time or incident. See Mark 4:17; Mark 8:25; Luke 8:12; 1 Corinthians 15:5, 1 Corinthians 15:7. Here it introduces a new phase of the subject under discussion. [source]