Bible guides – Mark 8:1-21 - 29 August 2009 |
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Jesus performs a miracle rather like his earlier feeding of the 5000 (Mark 6:30-44). Yet there are differences, and these are clearly significant.
- Compare this miracle and the following events with the similar occasion in Mark 6:30-44. What differences can you find (see especially Mark 8:5, 6, 8, 9, 12-21)?
- Jesus apparently sees some significance in the numbers mentioned in this episode (verses 19-21). Using the following suggestions, what might Jesus be trying to communicate?
4 – The whole world (the 4 corners of the earth)
7 – Completeness (7 days in a week); Or possibly all the different nations of the world
12 – The whole of God’s people (12 tribes of Israel in the Old Testament)
1000 – A very large number
4000 – 4 x 1000
(These are over-simplified, of course, but have a go anyway…)
How might the significance of these numbers be relevant to us today?
- Why do you think Jesus refused to give a sign to the Pharisees in verses 11-13?
- What do you think Jesus means by his warning in verse 15?
In what ways could this warning be relevant to you?
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Bible, Bible guides, Bible guides - Mark, Minister's Blog