Devine Scripture

Mark 8:24

What does Mark 8:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 8:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 8:24 means

The blind man looked up and reported that he could see people, but they appeared indistinct, "as trees, walking." This partial restoration of sight is highly significant, as it is one of the few instances in the Gospels where a healing miracle occurs in stages. It visually represents a blurry, incomplete perception, mirroring the disciples' own struggle to fully comprehend Jesus' identity and mission.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold them as trees, walking.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold them as trees, walking.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And looking up, he said, I see men; I see them like trees, walking.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he, having looked up, said, `I behold men, as I see trees, walking.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And looking up, he said: I see men, as it were trees, walking.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having looked up, he said, I behold men, for I see [them], as trees, walking.

Context

This verse reveals the immediate, partial result of Jesus' first touch, creating a tangible demonstration of imperfect vision. It follows Jesus' initial actions and question, and directly precedes Jesus' second touch, which will bring about complete restoration, highlighting the deliberate, progressive nature of this sign.

v.23And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught?

v.24This passage

v.25Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 29:18

    And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

  • Isaiah 32:3

    And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.

  • Judges 9:36

    And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:9

    For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;

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