22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 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. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town. (Mark 8:22-26 KJV)
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
This cure is recorded only by this evangelist, and there is something unique in its circumstances.
A blind man was brought to Christ by his friends, asking that he touch him (Mark 8:22). This shows the faith of those who brought him—they had no doubt that one touch from Christ would restore his sight. The man himself, however, didn’t display the same eagerness or expectation as others had. If those who are spiritually blind don’t pray for themselves, their friends and loved ones should pray for them, that Christ would touch them.
Christ personally led the blind man (Mark 8:23). He didn’t tell his friends to lead him, but—showing his remarkable humility—he took the man by the hand himself and led him, teaching us to be eyes to the blind, as Job was (Job 29:15). He led him out of the town, not just for privacy, but as a rebuke to Bethsaida for its unbelief, as mentioned in Matthew 11:21. Perhaps Christ also took him into the open fields so he would have a wider view to test his sight.
The cure was performed by Christ, the great Healer, who came to give sight to the blind (Luke 4:18). Christ used a sign—he spat on the man’s eyes and laid his hands on him. Though he could have healed him with just a word, he used this method to strengthen the man’s weak faith and help him overcome doubt. The spittle symbolizes the eye salve Christ applies to those spiritually blind (Revelation 3:18).
The healing happened gradually, which was unusual for Christ’s miracles. He asked the man if he saw anything (Mark 8:23). The man looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around” (Mark 8:24). He had regained partial sight—he could see movement and shapes but not clear details, like Job said, “I could not discern its appearance; a form was before my eyes” (Job 4:16).
The cure was then completed. Christ never does his work halfway. He laid his hands on the man’s eyes again, and the man looked intently and saw everything clearly (Mark 8:25). Christ did this:
- To show that he doesn’t follow one fixed method, but acts freely and purposefully. God achieves the same goals through different means so that we will follow him with trust.
- To match the healing with the man’s faith, which may have been weak at first but grew stronger. Sometimes Christ responds this way to correct those who come to him with doubts.
- To illustrate how those spiritually blind are healed by grace. At first, their understanding is blurry—they see people like trees walking—but gradually, their sight becomes clear, like the dawn growing into full daylight (Proverbs 4:18). If we see even a little of the truths faith reveals, we can hope to see more and more, for Christ will complete the work he begins in those he sanctifies.
Christ then told the man not to go into the town or tell anyone there (Mark 8:26). Perhaps some in Bethsaida had seen Christ lead the man out and were waiting for his return. But having seen many miracles already and not even following to witness another, they didn’t deserve to see the result. Christ didn’t forbid the man from telling others elsewhere, but he must not tell those in the town. Those who take Christ’s blessings lightly risk losing them. Bethsaida had missed her opportunity to recognize what led to her peace, and now it was hidden from her eyes. Because they would not see, they would not be allowed to see.