After Jesus walked on the water to meet His disciples, they landed at Gennesaret. And from there, they returned to Capernaum. Jesus and His disciples soon leave for Phoenicia in the area of Tyre and Sidon.
Very little is told us about his stay in Phoenicia except the healing of the Syro-Phoenician woman’s daughter. Go to Mark 7: 24-30 (Matthew 15:21ff)
Jesus heals a Syro-Phoenician woman
- After reading the Mark account, go to Matthew’s version (15:21ff) and note the differences and similarities between the two accounts.
- Similarities __________________________________________
- Differences __________________________________________
- In Matthew’s account, Jesus said, “I was sent ONLY to the lost sheep of Israel.” Go to Ezekiel 34 to see the background.
- Mark’s gospel said, “She begged,” and Matthew said, “Lord help me.” Are they similar or different. Explain.
- Both accounts tell us about the dialog about the children and dogs eating. What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.?” Who are the children? And who are the dogs?
- Why do you think this is the only event told to us by the gospel writers about Jesus’ stay in Phoenicia?
Jesus leaves Phoenicia to Decapolis (Mark 7:31ff)
- Mark tells us a very special story about a deaf/dumb man. (Mileage approximately 130 miles from Phoenicia)
- Note in verse thirty-two that “some people” brought a man to Him. While this is in Jesus’ Year of Opposition, note how His popularity is still very good in Gentile regions.
- What similar language does Mark use here compared to the Canaanite woman?
- Jesus takes the deaf/dumb man aside from the crowd. Why do you think He took him aside?
- After the miracle, Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone. How do you explain the change from “taking him aside” to “them not telling anyone?”
- Verse thirty-seven may be the exclamation point of this story. “He has done everything well.” Where else in Scripture can you point that uses the same language?
A special feeding in Gentile country east of the Jordan River (Matthew 15:32 and Mark 8)
- This story is frequently referred to as “The Gentile Feeding.” Let’s take a look at some of the differences and similarities to the earlier feeding of 5,000 and the Gentile feeding of 4,000.
- Similarities ___________________________________________________________________
- Differences ___________________________________________________________________
- Mark is the only one that tells us about the Pharisees who “came and began to ask questions.” This may mark the big divide between His popularity and opposition. Read Mark 8:11-13
- What were the Pharisees doing in the area of the Decapolis?
- The Pharisees asked for a sign. Jesus said after a deep sigh, “no sign will be given it.” What signs might the Pharisees have been expecting?
Gospel Variances: Mark tells us that Jesus went from this feeding to the area of Dalmanutha. Matthew calls Jesus’ landing Magadan. Most translations follow other Greek manuscripts reading Dalmanutha. KJV follows the received text of its day in reading Magdala. The location of Magadan, if it is a correct reading, is not known.
Jesus and His disciples enroute to Bethsaida (Mark 8:17ff)
- Sometimes we are just plain blinded and can’t see or listen but not hear. Mark tells us about the disciples worried about bread. The disciples and Jesus were in the boat enroute from Dalmanutha to Bethsaida. Like the disciples who failed to see Jesus’ miracles of two special feedings, do we ever fail to see Jesus’ miracles in our lives and those around us?
- Mark 8:22 records a miracle of sight in Bethsaida. Once again, Jesus takes the blind man aside.
- What actions does Jesus perform in this miracle? Is there any significance to Jesus touching him twice?
- Verse twenty-six once again tells us that Jesus told him not to go to the village and in some manuscripts, “don’t tell anyone.” Why do you think Jesus keeps saying this?
Jesus leaves Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:27ff)
- Enroute, Jesus asked His disciples, “who do people say I am?” (8:27b)
- What possibilities were suggested? _____________________________
- What was Peter’s response? And why is his statement important in light of the “bread” dilemma just a short time prior?
- Verse thirty-one begins Jesus’ dialog about His eventual death.
- Peter did not like the plain truth. He took Jesus aside and rebuked Him. To what did Jesus reply?
- Jesus continues teaching His disciples and the crowd accompanying them. Beginning at verse thirty-four, how would you characterize the them of this teaching?
- Go to Romans 1:16 and see how forcefully St. Paul reminds us about being onboard with the Gospel.