Mark 8

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Mark 8

1In those days the crowd once again became very large, and they had nothing to eat. Jesus called the disciples to Him and said,
2“I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat.
3If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.”
4His disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?”
5“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.
6And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd.
7They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well.
8The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
9And about four thousand men were present. As soon as Jesus had dismissed the crowd,
10He got into the boat with His disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
11Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven.
12Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
13And He left them, got back into the boat, and crossed to the other side.
14Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.
15“Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”
16So they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread.
17Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts?
18‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?
19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Twelve,” they answered.
20“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said.
21Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?”
22When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
23So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and placed His hands on him. “Can you see anything?” He asked.
24The man looked up and said, “I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around.”
25Once again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and when he opened them his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly.
26Jesus sent him home and said, “Do not go back into the village.”
27Then Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say I am?”
28They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
29“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”
30And Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him.
31Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.
32He spoke this message quite frankly, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
33But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
34Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.
36What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
38If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
— Mark 8

Related Resources from Heartlight

Leaving the Cynics Behind
Illustration of Mark 8:12-13 NLT

Illustration of Mark 8:12-13 NLT -- When [the Pharisees demanded a sign from Jesus], he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign." So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.

True Worth
Illustration of Mark 8:36-37 NLT

Illustration of Mark 8:36-37 NLT -- [Jesus continued teaching the crowd,] "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"

Illustration of Mark 8:31

Illustration of Mark 8:31 -- He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.

"But what about you?" he...
Illustration of Mark 8:29

Illustration of Mark 8:29 -- "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

Gain the Whole World
Illustration of Mark 8:36

Inspirational illustration of Mark 8:36 -- What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his very soul?

Predicting His Death
Illustration of Mark 8:31

Inspirational illustration of Mark 8:31 -- He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.

Prove Yourself
Illustration of Mark 8:11 NLT

Illustration of Mark 8:11 NLT -- When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived [in the region of Dalmanutha], they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

Take Up Your Cross
Illustration of Mark 8:34 NLT

Illustration of Mark 8:34 NLT -- Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, [Jesus] said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me."

The Ultimate Question
Illustration of Mark 8:29

Inspirational illustration of Mark 8:29 -- 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Peter answered, 'You are the Christ.'

What good is it for a man to gain the...
Illustration of Mark 8:36

Illustration of Mark 8:36 -- What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his very soul?

Who Do They Say I Am?
Illustration of Mark 8:27 NLT

Illustration of Mark 8:27 NLT -- Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"

Cross References for Mark 8

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.