Mark 8:21
What does Mark 8:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 8:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 8:21 means
With a tone of exasperation and disappointment, Jesus asked His disciples, "Do ye not yet understand?" This final question in the series reveals His profound concern over their persistent spiritual dullness and hardened hearts. Despite witnessing multiple miracles of provision and hearing His clear warnings about spiritual dangers, they still failed to grasp His identity and the boundless nature of His power, demonstrating a significant barrier to their growth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he said unto them, Do ye not yet understand?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he said unto them, Do ye not yet understand?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said to them, Is it still not clear to you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he said to them, `How do ye not understand?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he said to them: How do you not yet understand?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said to them, How do ye not yet understand?
Context
This verse concludes Jesus' series of probing questions regarding the disciples' understanding. It follows their successful recall of the two feeding miracles and immediately precedes their arrival in Bethsaida, marking a transition from a moment of rebuke and frustration to a new miracle that will visually represent their journey of spiritual sight.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 94:8
Consider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise?
- 1 Corinthians 15:34
Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.
- Mark 9:19
And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me.
- Mark 8:17
And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened?
- Matthew 16:11
How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
- Mark 6:52
for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
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