# Mark Chapter 8
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## Summary
Jesus feeds four thousand individuals in the second of two food multiplication miracles. Jesus then refuses to give a sign to the Pharasee's and scolds his disciples for complaining about being without bread after warning them about the leven of the Pharasee's. Jesus then heals a blind man. Jesus enquires of his disciples who he is before revealing in plain language what is about to befall him. When Peter rebukes him he rebukes Peter noting that he is not thinking of the Kingdom.

## Imagery and themes

Arguably Jesus in this passage is symbolically demonstrating once again that the kingdom is for the nations not just the Jewish people. Jesus feeds the five thousand near Bethsaida a predominently Jewish town, and there were 12 baskets of food left over (perhaps signifying the twelve tribes of Israel). Whereas when he fed the four thousand in Decapolis (where Gentiles would have been in the majority) there were 7 baskets of food left over) signifying the seven nations surrounding Israel (Canaanites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Jebusites and the Perizzites). Arguably one might infer that Jesus here is noting his intent to feed both Jewish and Gentile alike. The Kingdom is for all.

At first reading the passage is a little confusing. The talk of the leven of the Pharisees, and the "Don't you get it!" admonition from Jesus is almost cryptic. Yet if we consider the message in the light of the contextual information. Jesus here has refused to perform a miracle for the Pharisees, who ask for one, but performs miracles for the Gentiles, who do not. The confusion of the disciples is contrasted with Jesus restoring the sight of a blind man.

The passage reaches a climax with Peter open to who Jesus is then immediately missing the point opposes what this means. Jesus rebuke is clear; to follow him is to deny ones self and to pursue a higher purpose laid out for ones life unashamedly. This suggests that perhaps both the Pharisees missed the point expecting the arrival of the Kingdom to be in accordance with their own goals and aims. As thought the purposes of God should realign itself to the purposes of man.