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Mark 8:22-25 – Can You See Clearly Now?
The most mystifying miracle in the Bible might be so unclear because the parabolic lesson of the miracle is not seen. What is so confusing is also what is so unique about this wonder and sign. Of all Jesus’ divine demonstrations, this is the only one apparently not instantaneously successful. It’s as if Jesus failed the first time and had to try again. And yet we know better than that, so why?
Mark 8:23-25 HCSB He took the blind man by the hand and brought him out of the village. Spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” (24) He looked up and said, “I see people–they look to me like trees walking.” (25) Again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and he saw distinctly. He was cured and could see everything clearly.
Did the Son of God not have enough divine power left to heal fully the first time? Was the Son of Man physically fatigued after having fed 4000 people and again 5000 more? Did the blind man have a deficient faith preventing Jesus from healing him completely?
I don’t know about you, but this two-step miracle has always confused me. So let’s consider the setting. Right before this the apostles showed again their lack of spiritual sight. You can hear the sigh in Jesus’ voice (as in v.12) as He asks, Do you have eyes, and not see? (Mark 8:18 HCSB). Then Jesus healed the blind man partially and asked him, “Do you see anything?” He saw, but not clearly, just like the apostles. The miracle doubled as a parable describing the apostles’ insufficient sight. What I see is Jesus imitating the apostles’ lack of spiritual sight.
Then Jesus and the apostles left the scene. Jesus asked “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29). Peter answered, “You are the Messiah” (Mark 8:29). Peter began to see clearly.
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