translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: MRK

label: NET study note

text: The parallel in Matt 15:32-39 notes that the four thousand were only men, a point not made explicit in Mark.


text: Mark 8:1-10 . Many commentators, on the basis of similarities between this account of the feeding of the multitude ( 8:1-10 ) and that in 6:30-44 , have argued that there is only one event referred to in both passages. While there are similarities in language and in the response of the disciples, there are also noticeable differences, including the different number present on each occasion (i.e., 5,000 in chap. 6 and 4,000 here). In the final analysis, the fact that Jesus refers to two distinct feedings in 8:18-20 settles the issue; this passage represents another very similar incident to that recorded in 6:30-44 .


text: The exact location of Dalmanutha is uncertain, but it is somewhere close to the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.


text: See the note on Pharisees in 2:16 .


text: What exactly this sign would have been, given what Jesus was already doing, is not clear. But here is where the fence-sitters reside, refusing to commit to him.


text: Do you still not understand? The disciples in Mark’s Gospel often misunderstood the miracles of Jesus as well as his teaching. Between Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Mark paints the most revealing portrait of the shortcomings of the Twelve (cf. 6:51-52; 7:17-19; 8:1-10, 14-21, 27-30, 33; 9:5, 10, 33; 10:28, 35-45; 14:19, 29-31, 32-37, 50, 66-72 ).


text: The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11 , Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.


text: Mark 8:27-10:52 . The entire section 8:27-10:52 is built around three passion predictions of Jesus ( 8:31; 9:31; 10:33 ). These predictions form the structure of the section, the content for the section (Jesus’ suffering, death, and the meaning of genuine discipleship) and the mood of the section (i.e., a somber mood). What is interesting is that after each passion prediction, Mark records both the misunderstanding of the disciples and then Jesus’ teaching on the nature of his death and what genuine discipleship is all about: (1) denying oneself ( 8:34-38 ); (2) humility and serving ( 9:33-37 ); (3) suffering, humble service, and not lording it over people ( 10:35-45 ). For further discussion of the structure of the passage, see W. L. Lane, Mark (NICNT) , 292-94.


text: The necessity that the Son of Man suffer is the particular point that needed emphasis, since for many 1st century Jews the Messiah was a glorious and powerful figure, not a suffering one.


text: To bear the cross means to accept the rejection of the world for turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion; see Gal 6:14 .


text: The point of the saying whoever wants to save his life will lose it is that if one comes to Jesus then rejection by many will certainly follow. If self-protection is a key motivation, then one will not respond to Jesus and will not be saved. One who is willing to risk rejection will respond and find true life.


text: How one responds now to Jesus and his teaching is a reflection of how Jesus, as the Son of Man who judges, will respond then in the final judgment.