like trees walking

[Jaydub]

Mar 8:23

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

 

Mar 8:24 - He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around

 

What is the reason we are told this?

 

Mar 8:25 - Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

 

My question is,  did he see more then we can see? Maybe  spiritual things, is it possible Jesus made his sight too good

I just can't see Jesus and the Father not getting it right the first time

Thanks

 

[BK1110]

It definitely wasn't a failure, mistake, or "overshooting" if you will on Jesus' part.

We are not told why exactly and specifically it happened. But if it wasn't a mistake (and being from God it could not have been a mistake) then it must have been intentional, which means it must have been purposeful. That purpose was almost certainly to make some kind of point.

Here are some good thoughts on it: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jesus-heal-blind-man-two-stages-mark-8/

[johnthebaptist]

19 hours ago, Jaydub said:

Mar 8:23

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

 

Mar 8:24 - He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around

 

What is the reason we are told this?

 

Mar 8:25 - Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

 

My question is,  did he see more then we can see? Maybe  spiritual things, is it possible Jesus made his sight too good

I just can't see Jesus and the Father not getting it right the first time

Thanks

 

Apparently it was God's plan to heal the man in two steps. I don't think that is a problem.

[Tristen]

Hi Jaydub,

A lesson I take from examples like this is that God can not be reduced to a formula. We therefore can not presume to know how supernatural healing should work on every occasion. But rather we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit who does know everything; including whatever is required for each specific circumstance.

For example;

- We could ask why Jesus “anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay” and told him to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” in John 9:1-7, but only touched the eyes of the blind men in Matthew 9:27-29 and Matthew 20:29-34, or simply spoke healing to the blind in Mark 10:51-52 and Luke 18:40-45.

- In Luke 17:11-14, ten lepers were cleansed “as they went” to present themselves to the priests at Jesus' instruction.

- In your example (Mark 8:22-25), we could ask why Jesus needed to “spit” in the blind man's eyes. To me, the fact that it took two touches instead of one is not the strangest part of this narrative.

Also remember that there was a time when Jesus' miracle performing capabilities were restricted by the lack of faith of the people (Mark 6:5). Perhaps the blind man in Mark 8 needed his faith-to-receive-healing encouraged by some small progress before he could fully receive. Bottom line is – only the Holy Spirit knows what is required for each specific circumstance. And we should therefore be cautious about pressing our finite, formulaic assumptions on God.

 

[Willa]

The first time he was able to see, but not clearly.  It was like being near sighted when things are blurry at a distance.  The second time enabled him to see clearly.

[BeyondET]

I’ve read two consensus that seems plausible, a message of sort to the disciples on seeing but not clearly, and a modern known condition called agnosia in the newly sighted or both.

[other one]

I think I would agree BeyondET with your first statement.

If you look at the whole chapter this miracle is an example of understanding who Jesus was/is in stages.   When he healed the blind man he sent him home but instructed not to even go back into the village; and after the discussion of who he was he instructed the disciples not to tell anyone what Peter had disclosed.   It was/is my experience that much of Jesus and the Father are exposed to a person in steps.   I didn't and most people I talk with didn't see them clearly from the start.

[BeyondET]

19 hours ago, other one said:

I think I would agree BeyondET with your first statement.

If you look at the whole chapter this miracle is an example of understanding who Jesus was/is in stages.   When he healed the blind man he sent him home but instructed not to even go back into the village; and after the discussion of who he was he instructed the disciples not to tell anyone what Peter had disclosed.   It was/is my experience that much of Jesus and the Father are exposed to a person in steps.   I didn't and most people I talk with didn't see them clearly from the start.

What’s interesting to me is the visual agnosia the man had as well with not being able to see, the neuropathy from the eyes to brain was damage as well, two things needed healing it was done in steps for the main message would have no weight if both where healed together and I think the Bible describes the conditions visual agnosia spot on. another example of the Bible being written for past present and future believers.

[LearningToLetGo]

On 2/10/2021 at 6:55 PM, Jaydub said:

My question is,  did he see more then we can see? 

I came across this passage again in my reading and also wondered what was going on. It definitely seems as if Jesus gave him some sort of unusual perceptions, if only for a few seconds. What he perceived and why? I can't see that yet (pun intended). I don't think that Jesus partially healed him then finished the job on the second try. That is to say I don't think his first sight was less than perfect. Rather I do suspect that Jesus "pulled back the veil" for the briefest of moments.

[Leonardo Von]

On 2/10/2021 at 11:55 PM, Jaydub said:

My question is,  did he see more then we can see?

I don't believe so. He seeks exactly what a health person sees.