Biblical Wisdom
Like Trees Walking
The only healing in the Gospels that needs a second touch, set just before Peter gets the right answer and the wrong idea.
Scripture Mark 8:22–26 · Mark 8:17–18 · Mark 8:27–33
Shortly before this healing, in the boat, Jesus asks His disciples a hard question. “Having eyes, do you not see?”
Then, at Bethsaida, a blind man. Jesus leads him out of the village by the hand, spits on his eyes, lays His hands on him, and asks, “Can you see anything?”
The answer is honest and strange. “I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around.”
Jesus places His hands on the man’s eyes again, and this time he sees everything clearly. In no other healing in the Gospels does the first touch leave the work half done.
Mark’s next scene is on the road to Caesarea Philippi. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ.” He is right. Then Jesus speaks plainly about suffering and death, and Peter takes Him aside to rebuke Him.
Peter could see. He could not yet see clearly. Mark sets the two stories next to each other, and in both of them the first touch is not the last.
Scripture in English is from the Berean Standard Bible, placed in the public domain by its publisher on 30 April 2023.