Mark 8

Bread of Life (feeding the four thousand)

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, Mark 8:1–9

In the wilderness Jesus again feeds a hungry crowd from a few loaves, like the manna the LORD gave Israel. The Savior is the one who fully satisfies His people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 15:32-39 — Matthew's account of the feeding of the four thousand.
• typified by Exodus 16:35 — Israel ate manna in the wilderness forty years.
• the same title in John 6:35 — 'I am the bread of life.'

Jesus refuses a sign

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. Mark 8:11–13

Right after feeding thousands, Jesus is asked for a sign. He grieves deeply, because faith that demands signs misses the Son of God standing in front of them.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:1-4 — Matthew's account, which adds the sign of the prophet Jonas.

The One who broke the loaves

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. Mark 8:14–21

The disciples worry about having only one loaf while the One who fed thousands is in the boat with them. Jesus asks them to remember what He has already done.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:5-12 — Matthew's account of the warning about leaven.
• alludes to Mark 6:41-44 — He recalls breaking the five loaves for the five thousand.

The Healer who opens blind eyes

And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. Mark 8:22–26

Jesus leads a blind man by the hand and heals him step by step until he sees clearly. Opening blind eyes was a promised work of the Lord's servant, and the gradual healing mirrors how the disciples come to see who Jesus is in the next verses.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Isaiah 42:7 — The Lord's servant is sent 'to open the blind eyes.'

The Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? Mark 8:27–30

After people guess John, Elias, or a prophet, Peter testifies that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Anointed One. This is the question every disciple must answer personally.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:15-17 — Matthew's account, adding 'the Son of the living God' and revelation from the Father.
• a parallel account in Luke 9:18-20 — Luke's account: 'The Christ of God.'
• the same title in John 6:69 — Peter: 'thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.'

Son of Man foretells His death and Resurrection

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness, the Father (Moses 6:57)

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31–33

Right after Peter calls Him the Christ, Jesus teaches openly that the Christ must suffer, die, and rise again. Peter wants a Messiah without a cross, but the Savior's mission is the Atonement and Resurrection.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:21-23 — Matthew's account of the first Passion prediction and the rebuke of Peter.
• alludes to Isaiah 53:3 — 'He is despised and rejected of men.'
• fulfilled by Mark 16:6 — 'He is risen; he is not here.'
• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — The Father's name is Man of Holiness; His Only Begotten is the Son of Man.

Take up the cross and follow Me

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34–37

Jesus invites everyone to follow Him by giving up selfishness and carrying their own cross. The cross He mentions points to His own coming crucifixion, and losing our life for His sake is how we truly find it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:24-26 — Matthew's account of the call to take up the cross.
• a parallel account in Luke 9:23-25 — Luke's account, adding 'daily.'

The Son of Man coming in the glory of His Father

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38

Jesus foretells His Second Coming in His Father's glory with the holy angels, when He will judge. Being unashamed of Him and His words now matters then.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:27 — 'The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels.'
• a parallel account in Luke 9:26 — Luke's account of the same saying.
• the same event in D&C 45:44 — He will come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, with all the holy angels.