FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
SYNOPTIC GOSPEL PARALLELS
A. One wonders whether Jesus fed crowds often or, for some reason unknown to modern Western interpreters, this event is repeated (i.e., Mar_6:34-44 and Mar_8:1-10).
B. Mar_8:10-12 is paralleled in Mat_15:39 to Mat_16:4.
C. Mar_8:13-26 is paralleled in Mat_16:5-12.
D. Mar_8:27-30 is paralleled in Mat_16:13-20 and Luk_9:18-21.
E. Mar_8:31-37 is paralleled in Mat_16:21-26 and Luk_9:22-25.
F. Mar_8:38 to Mar_9:1 is paralleled in Mat_16:27-28 and Luk_9:26-27.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Did Jesus feed two large crowds or is there one feeding from two perspectives?
2. What kind of "sign" did the Pharisees want?
3. Why did Jesus chide the disciples?
4. Why did Jesus only partially cure the blind man the first time?
5. Why is Matthew's account so much fuller than Mark's account of Peter's confession?
6. What exactly did Peter's confession imply about Jesus?
7. Why were the disciples so shocked at Jesus' teaching about His death at Jerusalem?
8. Explain in your own words what Mar_8:34-38 mean.