Mark 8:22-26

“Then they came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to Jesus and asked him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and brought him outside of the village. Then he spit on his eyes, placed his hands on his eyes and asked, “Do you see anything?” Regaining his sight he said, “I see people, but they look like trees walking.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again. And he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.””

— ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭22‬-‭26‬‬

Can be a very difficult passage. This is the only miracle in any gospel that is not immediate (or at least not described as an immediate healing). Was Jesus’ power somehow limited? Did He need a do-over? What’s the point?

I don’t claim to have all or even some of the answers. But this MAY be one more example of how gospels work. I don’t have any firm conclusions on how the miracle actually took place. Was Jesus making a point with a two-step miracle? Was the man actually healed immediately? I don’t know (and this is one of the “Bible questions” where I don’t think it really matters. Strong inerrantists may fight for a two stage healing because that’s what it says. I haven’t even read enough of progressive interpretations to know what they would say—question Jesus’ power?—So I tend to think it could go either way as to what “actually happened,” and I don’t really care). 

This is one of those cases where the literary structure of Mark and the theology he presents in the following sections helps. When we take a step back and see Mark’s structure in the section of the book, we may have an idea of what’s going on.

Bartimaeus is another blind man that Jesus heals in 10:46-52. This goes more like we are accustomed to in the gospels. There’s a crowd. The blind man cries out for Jesus. Jesus heals him instantly. Bartimaeus “follows” Jesus. These two healings of blind men bracket or bookend the middle section of Mark. This middle section transitions from the first half which demonstrates the person and character of Jesus to the section half which shows the mission and purpose of Jesus’ life. (All of which describes the kingdom of God in some way).

Perhaps the most important hint of what Mark is up literarily is that the passage directly after the two-stage healing is Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah. This would be one of the highest points of Peter’s discipleship. All the other opinions of Jesus, and Peter got it right. Yet, it only takes a few verses later for Jesus to address him as the devil. How come? Because Peter rebuked Jesus for talking about death, crucifixion, and ruining Peter’s idea of what a Messiah is. Peter had the wrong idea of what Jesus’ Messiahship meant. 

He had the right identity but the wrong idea of the mission.

Within these two chapters, Jesus will predict His death and resurrection two more times, and the disciples never understand.  (9:30-32; 10:32-34).

How do I know they don’t understand? The disciples make poor decisions throughout the gospels, but Mark has made a point to gather a bunch of them within these three chapters. Back to back to back to back, we see the disciples reeking of immaturity.  (Peter wants to honor Moses/Elijah with Jesus; disciples can’t heal a boy; discussing who is the greatest; rebuke someone who tries to follow Jesus; turn little children away; brag about leaving everything for Jesus; James and John request highest honor in kingdom). 

Mark is repeating the same theme of Peter’s initial error. The journey of discipleship is marrying a proper view of Jesus’ identity with the impact of His mission. Jesus came to serve and give His life (10:45). He did not come to sit on the throne and receive gifts/fame/honor—yet.

The journey of discipleship accepts Jesus’ Messiahship on His terms. If we simply agree that He is Messiah but don’t “see” His mission clearly, then we may have a fuzzy vision for a while. The two stage healing is a picture for some difficult lessons we as disciples must learn.

Bartimaeus was healed, and then he followed Jesus. What a picture of true discipleship. And post-resurrection, the disciples gained a full perspective, and their lives changed forever. They did follow Jesus as Messiah and continued His mission of service and suffering. 

May we do the same.