Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Tim Maas
Supporter
The narrative indicates that multiple people had brought this man to Jesus for healing, but that Jesus had made a point of taking the man away to a separate location outside the village, where those people would not be present. In my opinion, Jesus' instruction to the man to go directly home without going back into the village (where those who had brought him to Jesus would undoubtedly be waiting) was similar to other instructions He gave in connection with His acts of healing that the individuals tell no one what had happened, because He was performing those acts out of love and mercy, and not for the purpose of publicizing or bringing glory to Himself. He had shown this same mindset earlier (again, in my opinion) when He had refused Satan's temptation to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the Temple (although Mark did not relate that specific temptation in his gospel), which would not only have been putting God to the test, but also would have been seeking to gain notice or fame by means of a public spectacle, rather than by addressing people's needs for physical and (more importantly) spiritual healing.
Marshal Immanuel
Supporter
Mark 8:26 says that Jesus sent the man whom He healed from his physical (and spiritual too) blindness, to his home but not to go through (or take route through) the village called Bethsaida. Why? Is that a long route? No! When we read the The Gospel according to Matthew, we will come to know that the people in the villages called Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum did not believe Jesus or repent from their wicked ways (or lifestyle) despite the fact that Jesus had preached for repentance from their sins and performed numerous miracles to show His glory, authority & sovereign power. Matthew 11:20-24 (NIV) 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[e] For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” Being healed physically and spiritually by Him, Jesus sent the man to his home, and warned him not to take the route of unbelief, unfaithfulness and unrepentant phase of life (i.e., the Bethsaidan way of life), which would lead him to spiritual destruction. Surprisingly, observing supernatural miracles did not typically lead people to repent and follow Jesus' teaching. Throughout his ministry, Jesus showed annoyance with crowds who flocked to see a popular leader do something supernatural. He wanted from the spectators not applause, but commitment. When we notice in the gospels, gradually, Jesus relied more and more on parables, which he explained to his disciples in private. Refer to Matthew 13:11-17. God Bless! - Marshal
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
[Apparently,] the man was not from Bethsaida, for Jesus sent him home and cautioned him not to enter that town. Now that he had been healed, why go to unbelieving Bethsaida where Jesus had been rejected? On the slopes near Bethsaida is where Jesus fed the 5,000 with “5 loaves and 2 fish” (Luke 9:13). Afterward, He healed a blind man and walked on the water nearby. The people seemingly weren’t impressed, because Jesus warned that Sodom-like horror was headed their way. “If the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashed on their heads to show their remorse” (Matthew 11:21, NLT). SMM My teacher at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. Charles Caldwell Ryrie, wrote in his wonderful book, The Miracles of Our Lord, "As with all things in the Christian life, our call is to do what the Lord instructs, not to second-guess His motives for issuring His orders."
leslie coutinho
Supporter
As the Prophet Isaiah 42: 1-4 had written in the scriptures that the Lord Jesus would bring justice to the Gentiles, which probably the blind man was a victim of sinful life of his generation for which his healing had to be performed twice for his complete deliverance. A similar incident in the healing of the men in John 5:14-15 was that his sickness may have been because of his sins, and the more you would entangle yourself with the unbelievers who were the Jews in those days would bring in more doubt to his mind that he being healed by the spirit of Beelzebub as stated earlier by those Jews who said during one of the healing Mat 12:24 The worst thing that could happen to a man being delivered would be that if he would sin again would be going to the hell fire for no one could quench your thirst as was the rich man case seeing Lazarus in Abraham's bosom. Sending him home was a sure sign of coming back to repentance then being in the presence of ungodly people and falling in sin again.
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible