SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:23
Entonces, tomando la mano del ciego, le sac fuera de la aldea; y escupiendo en sus ojos, y ponindole las manos encima, le pregunt si veía algo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Mark 8:23
Verse 23. And he took the blind man by the hand] Giving him a proof of his readiness to help him, and thus preparing him for the cure which he was about to work. Led him out of the town] Thus showing the inhabitants that he considered them unworthy of having another miracle wrought among them.
He had already deeply deplored their ingratitude and obstinacy: see on Matt. xi. 21. When a people do not make a proper improvement of the light and grace which they receive from God, their candlestick is removed-even the visible Church becomes there extinct; and the candle is put out-no more means of spiritual illumination are afforded to the unfaithful inhabitants: Revelation ii. 5.
When he had spit on his eyes] There is a similar transaction to this mentioned by John, John ix. 6. It is likely this was done merely to separate the eyelids; as, in certain cases of blindness, they are found always gummed together. It required a miracle to restore the sight, and this was done in consequence of Christ having laid his hands upon the blind man: it required no miracle to separate the eyelids, and, therefore, natural means only were employed-this was done by rubbing them with spittle; but whether by Christ, or by the blind man, is not absolutely certain. See on chap. vii. 33. It has always been evident that false miracles have been wrought without reason or necessity, and without any obvious advantage; and they have thereby been detected: on the contrary, true miracles have always vindicated themselves by their obvious utility and importance; nothing ever being effected by them that could be performed by natural means.
If he saw aught.] ei, if, is wanting in the Syriac, all the Persic and Arabic, and in the AEthiopic; and ti blepeiv, Dost thou see any thing? is the reading of CD, Coptic, AEthiopic, all the Arabic and Persic.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. And he took the blind man by the hand , etc..] Not for the sake of touching him, in order to heal him, as they desired, but to be his guide: and led him out of the town ; to shun all appearance of vain glory and popular applause, being willing to do the miracle in a private manner; and because of the obstinacy and unbelief of the inhabitants of this place, who were not worthy to be witnesses of such a cure; (see Matthew 11:21); and when he had spit on his eyes ; not as a cause of healing him; for whatever use spittle may be of to such that have weak eyes, it can have no causal influence upon, or be of any service, in a natural way, to a blind man to restore his sight unto him: and put his hands upon him ; as he sometimes did, when he healed persons of any disorder: he asked him, if he saw ought ; any object whatever, whether he could perceive he had any sight at all. Christ's taking the blind man by the hand, and leading him out or the town, and spitting on his eyes, and putting his hands upon him, and then asking him if he saw ought, are emblematical of what he does in spiritual conversion, when he turns men from darkness to light: he takes them by the hand, which expresses his condescension, grace, and mercy, and becomes their guide and leader; and a better, and safer guide they cannot have; he brings them by a way they know not, and leads them in paths they had not known before; makes darkness light before them, and crooked things straight, and does not forsake them: he takes them apart, and separates them from the rest of the world; he calls them out from thence to go with him, teaching them, that, when enlightened by him, they should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and the workers of them; for what communion has light with darkness? his putting spittle upon his eyes, may signify the means of grace, the eye salve of the word, which, when attended with a divine power, enlightens the eyes; and which power may be represented here by Christ's putting his hands upon the man; for the Gospel, without the power of Christ, Is insufficient to produce such an effect; but when it is accompanied with that, it always succeeds.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 22-26 - Here is a blind man brought to Christ by his friends. Therein appeare the faith of those that brought him. If those who are spirituall blind, do not pray for themselves, yet their friends and relation should pray for them, that Christ would be pleased to touch them. The cure was wrought gradually, which was not usual in our Lord's miracles Christ showed in what method those commonly are healed by his grace who by nature are spiritually blind. At first, their knowledge i confused; but, like the light of the morning, it shines more and mor to the perfect day, and then they see all things clearly. Slightin Christ's favours is forfeiting them; and he will make those who do s know the worth of privileges by the want of them.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ επιλαβομενος 1949 5637 V-2ADP-NSM της 3588 T-GSF χειρος 5495 N-GSF του 3588 T-GSM τυφλου 5185 A-GSM εξηγαγεν 1806 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτον 846 P-ASM εξω 1854 ADV της 3588 T-GSF κωμης 2968 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ πτυσας 4429 5660 V-AAP-NSM εις 1519 PREP τα 3588 T-APN ομματα 3659 N-APN αυτου 846 P-GSM επιθεις 2007 5631 V-2AAP-NSM τας 3588 T-APF χειρας 5495 N-APF αυτω 846 P-DSM επηρωτα 1905 5707 V-IAI-3S αυτον 846 P-ASM ει 1487 COND τι 5100 X-ASN βλεπει 991 5719 V-PAI-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
23. Took (epilabomenov). Tynd., caught.If he saw (ei ti blepeiv). Rev., more accurately, renders the direct question: Seest thou aught? The change of tenses is graphic. Asked (imperfect). Dost thou see (present).
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:23 {Brought him out of the village} (exenegken auton exw tes kwmes). It had been a village, but Philip had enlarged it and made it a town or city (polis), though still called a village (verses #23,26). As in the case of the deaf and dumb demoniac given also alone by Mark (#Mr 7:31-37), so here Jesus observes the utmost secrecy in performing the miracle for reasons not given by Mark. It was the season of retirement and Jesus is making the fourth withdrawal from Galilee. That fact may explain it. The various touches here are of interest also. Jesus led him out by the hand, put spittle on his eyes (using the poetical and _Koin_ papyri word ommata instead of the usual opthalmous), and laid his hands upon him, perhaps all this to help the man's faith.
