Mark 8:23

An Exegetical Study of Jesus’ Sayings in Mark 8:23 and 8:26

This exegetical study of Jesus’ Sayings in Mark 8:23 and 8:26 is based on a b-greek discussion from Thu Jul 29 14:53:05 1999. The initial inquiry concerned the Greek text of Mark 8:23, specifically the phrase εἴ τι βλέπεις, and Mark 8:26, with the phrase μηδὲ εἰς τὴν κώμην εἰσέλθῃς. The original post raised a question about the grammatical criteria applicable to these sayings, distinct from historical-critical issues such as embarrassment, coherence, or subversive character, and also separate from theological implications, explicitly seeking grammatical guidelines.

The main exegetical issue at hand is to analyze the precise grammatical structure and implications of these two direct sayings attributed to Jesus within the narrative of Mark’s Gospel. The focus will be on understanding the nuances conveyed by the specific Greek verb forms, particles, and overall sentence construction, particularly how they inform potential translation choices. This approach prioritizes linguistic analysis over historical questions of authenticity or theological interpretation, aligning with the original post’s grammatical emphasis.

Mark 8:23 (Nestle 1904)

καὶ λαβὼν τῆς χειρὸς τοῦ τυφλοῦ ἐξήγαγεν αὐτὸν ἔξω τῆς κώμης, καὶ πτύσας εἰς τὰ ὄμματα αὐτοῦ, ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῷ ἐπηρώτα αὐτόν, Εἴ τι βλέπεις;

Mark 8:26 (Nestle 1904)

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον αὐτοῦ λέγων, Μηδὲ εἰς τὴν κώμην εἰσέλθῃς.

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• For Mark 8:23, the text Εἴ τι βλέπεις is identical in Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010.
• For Mark 8:26, the text Μηδὲ εἰς τὴν κώμην εἰσέλθῃς is identical in Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes

Regarding textual criticism for the specific phrases in question, the NA28 (Novum Testamentum Graece, 28th edition) apparatus indicates no significant variants that would alter the meaning or grammatical structure of εἴ τι βλέπεις in Mark 8:23 or μηδὲ εἰς τὴν κώμην εἰσέλθῃς in Mark 8:26. Both phrases are consistently attested across major manuscript traditions.

Lexical Notes:

• βλέπεις (Mark 8:23): The verb βλέπω (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) means ‘to see, look, perceive, discern.’ BDAG (s.v. βλέπω) highlights its broad semantic range from physical sight to mental understanding. KITTEL (s.v. βλέπω) discusses its use in sensory perception and its theological extension to spiritual insight, though here it is clearly in the physical sense of vision restored. The present tense suggests an ongoing state or immediate perception.
• κώμην (Mark 8:26): The noun κώμη (accusative singular) refers to ‘a village, a small town.’ BDAG (s.v. κώμη) defines it as a settlement larger than a farm but smaller than a city. KITTEL (s.v. κώμη) notes its common usage in the Gospels to refer to rural settlements, distinguishing them from larger urban centers. The prohibition is specifically about entering this particular type of settlement.
• εἰσέλθῃς (Mark 8:26): The verb εἰσέλθῃς (aorist active subjunctive, 2nd person singular) comes from εἰσέρχομαι, meaning ‘to go in, enter.’ BDAG (s.v. εἰσέρχομαι) emphasizes the idea of movement into a place. The aorist subjunctive in a prohibition (with μηδέ) conveys a definite and absolute command *not* to perform the action. It is a strong, emphatic negative imperative.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

Mark 8:23: Εἴ τι βλέπεις;

This phrase is a direct question posed by Jesus to the blind man after the initial stage of healing. Grammatically, it is a conditional clause of the first class (if-clause), but functioning as an interrogative. The particle εἰ introduces the condition, and τι (an enclitic indefinite pronoun) means ‘anything, something.’ The construction “εἰ τι + indicative” is a common way to ask a factual question, implying “Do you see *anything* at all?” or “If you see anything, what is it?” The present indicative βλέπεις signifies an immediate perception. Rhetorically, this question serves to assess the man’s partial recovery, setting the stage for the subsequent, complete healing. It’s not merely a “yes/no” question but asks for the content of his seeing.

Mark 8:26: Μηδὲ εἰς τὴν κώμην εἰσέλθῃς.

This is a strong negative command. The particle μηδέ combines μή (for negative commands) with δέ (‘and’ or ‘but’), often translating as ‘nor, not even, do not even.’ When preceding an aorist subjunctive, as here with εἰσέλθῃς, it forms a definitive and absolute prohibition, forbidding an action from occurring. The phrase ‘into the village’ (εἰς τὴν κώμην) specifies the forbidden destination. Rhetorically, this command is absolute and emphatic, highlighting Jesus’ desire for discretion or a complete break from the environment of Bethsaida after the healing. The use of μηδὲ makes the prohibition more stringent than a simple μή.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Based on the grammatical and rhetorical analysis, the sayings in Mark 8:23 and 8:26 convey precise meanings related to inquiry and prohibition, respectively. The distinct choices of verb tense, mood, and particles significantly shape their force and nuance.

Translation Suggestions for Mark 8:23 and 8:26:

1. Mark 8:23: “Do you see anything?”
   This translation emphasizes the immediate nature of the inquiry and the search for any degree of perception, reflecting the present tense of βλέπεις and the indefinite τι.
2. Mark 8:26: “Do not even enter the village.”
   This rendering captures the absolute and emphatic nature of the prohibition conveyed by μηδὲ and the aorist subjunctive εἰσέλθῃς, indicating a strong command against performing the action at all.
3. Mark 8:23: “Can you discern anything?” AND Mark 8:26: “And do not enter into that village at all.”
   This pair of translations attempts to convey a slightly more interpretative nuance. For 8:23, “discern” brings out the broader sense of βλέπω beyond mere sight. For 8:26, “at all” reinforces the emphatic nature of μηδὲ, and “that village” implies the specific village from which the man was brought.