Mark 8:23
New International Version
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

New Living Translation
Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”

English Standard Version
And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?”

Berean Standard Bible
So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and placed His hands on him. “Can you see anything?” He asked.

Berean Literal Bible
And having taken hold of the hand of the blind man, He led him forth out of the village, and having spit upon his eyes, having laid the hands upon him, He was asking him if you see anything.

King James Bible
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

New King James Version
So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

New American Standard Bible
Taking the man who was blind by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting in his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”

NASB 1995
Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”

NASB 1977
And taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes, and laying His hands upon him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He was asking him, “Do you see anything?”

Amplified Bible
Taking the blind man by the hand, He led him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”

Christian Standard Bible
He took the blind man by the hand and brought him out of the village. Spitting on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He took the blind man by the hand and brought him out of the village. Spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”

American Standard Version
And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught?

Contemporary English Version
Jesus took him by the hand and led him out of the village, where he spit into the man's eyes. He placed his hands on the blind man and asked him if he could see anything.

English Revised Version
And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus took the blind man's hand and led him out of the village. He spit into the man's eyes and placed his hands on him. Jesus asked him, "Can you see anything?"

Good News Translation
Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. After spitting on the man's eyes, Jesus placed his hands on him and asked him, "Can you see anything?"

International Standard Version
Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. He spit into his eyes, placed his hands on him, and asked him, "Do you see anything?"

Majority Standard Bible
So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and placed His hands on him. “Can you see anything?” He asked.

NET Bible
He took the blind man by the hand and brought him outside of the village. Then he spit on his eyes, placed his hands on his eyes and asked, "Do you see anything?"

New Heart English Bible
He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spit on his eyes, and placed his hands on him, he asked him, "Do you see anything?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught.

Weymouth New Testament
So He took the blind man by the arm and brought him out of the village, and spitting into his eyes He put His hands on him and asked him, "Can you see anything?"

World English Bible
He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having taken the hand of the blind man, He led him forth outside the village, and having spit on his eyes, having put [His] hands on him, He was questioning him if he beholds anything:

Berean Literal Bible
And having taken hold of the hand of the blind man, He led him forth out of the village, and having spit upon his eyes, having laid the hands upon him, He was asking him if you see anything.

Young's Literal Translation
and having taken the hand of the blind man, he led him forth without the village, and having spit on his eyes, having put his hands on him, he was questioning him if he doth behold anything:

Smith's Literal Translation
And having taken the hand of the blind, he led him forth without the town; and having spit into his eyes, having put hands upon him, he asked him if he saw any thing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And taking the blind man by the hand, he led him out of the town; and spitting upon his eyes, laying his hands on him, he asked him if he saw any thing.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And taking the blind man by the hand, he led him beyond the village. And putting spit on his eyes, laying his hands on him, he asked him if he could see anything.

New American Bible
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, “Do you see anything?”

New Revised Standard Version
He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he took the blind man by the hand and brought him outside the town; and he spat on his eyes, and put his hands on him, and asked him what he saw.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he grasped the hand of the blind man and took him outside the town and he spat in his eyes and laid his hand upon him and he asked him what he saw.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village. And he spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, and asked him if he saw any thing.

Godbey New Testament
And taking the blind man by the hand, He led him out of the village; and spitting in his eyes, putting His hands on him, He asked him, if he sees anything.

Haweis New Testament
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him without the city; and spitting on his eyes, he laid his hands upon him, and asked him if he saw aught.

Mace New Testament
then taking the blind man by the hand, he led him out of town, when applying his spittle to the man's eyes, and laying his hands upon him, he ask'd if he saw any thing.

Weymouth New Testament
So He took the blind man by the arm and brought him out of the village, and spitting into his eyes He put His hands on him and asked him, "Can you see anything?"

Worrell New Testament
And, taking hold of the blind man's hand, He brought him out of the village; and, spitting in his eyes, and putting His hands upon him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?"

Worsley New Testament
And He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and having spit on his eyes, He laid his hands upon him, and asked him, If he saw any thing.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Blind Man at Bethsaida
22When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and placed His hands on him. Can you see anything?” He asked. 24The man looked up and said, “I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around.”…

Cross References
John 9:6-7
When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. / Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.

Matthew 9:27-30
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” / After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered. / Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.” ...

Mark 7:33-35
So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue. / And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). / Immediately the man’s ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly.

Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging. / When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. / “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. ...

Isaiah 35:5-6
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

John 9:1-3
Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, / and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” / Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him.

2 Kings 5:10-14
Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” / But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy. / Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not have washed in them and been cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage. ...

Matthew 20:30-34
And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” / The crowd admonished them to be silent, but they cried out all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” / Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked. ...

Luke 7:21-22
At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind. / So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

John 11:43-44
After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” / The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.

Acts 9:17-18
So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” / At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized,

Isaiah 42:7
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

John 5:8-9
Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” / Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk. Now this happened on the Sabbath day,

2 Kings 4:34-35
Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. / Elisha turned away and paced back and forth across the room. Then he got on the bed and stretched himself out over the boy again, and the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.


Treasury of Scripture

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands on him, he asked him if he saw ought.

by the.

Isaiah 51:18
There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.

Jeremiah 31:32
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Acts 9:8
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

out.

Mark 7:33
And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

Isaiah 44:2
Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

spit.

John 9:6,7
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, …

Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

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Arm Aught Beheld Blind Eyes Forth Hand Hands Hold Laid Mouth Ought Outside Seest Spit Spitting Village Water
Mark 8
1. Jesus feeds the people miraculously;
10. refuses to give a sign to the Pharisees;
14. admonishes his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod;
22. gives a blind man his sight;
27. acknowledges that he is the Jesus who should suffer and rise again;
34. and exhorts to patience in persecution for the profession of the gospel.














So He took the blind man by the hand
This phrase highlights the personal and compassionate nature of Jesus' ministry. The Greek word for "took" (ἐπιλαβόμενος) implies a deliberate and caring action. Jesus' act of taking the blind man by the hand signifies His willingness to guide and support those who are vulnerable. In a historical context, touching a blind person was a significant act of kindness, as blindness often led to social isolation. This gesture reflects Jesus' mission to reach out to the marginalized and offer them hope and healing.

and led him out of the village
The act of leading the man out of the village can be seen as a symbolic gesture. The Greek word for "led" (ἐξήγαγεν) suggests a purposeful movement. By taking the man away from the crowd, Jesus creates an intimate setting for the miracle, emphasizing the personal relationship He desires with each individual. This action also reflects the idea that sometimes, to experience God's work fully, one must step away from the distractions and skepticism of the world.

Then He spit on the man's eyes
Spitting in the ancient world had various connotations, often associated with healing practices. The use of saliva in healing was not uncommon in Jewish and Greco-Roman traditions. Here, Jesus uses a culturally familiar method to perform a divine act, demonstrating His authority over traditional practices. This action signifies the transformative power of Jesus, who can take ordinary elements and use them for extraordinary purposes.

and placed His hands on him
The laying on of hands is a significant biblical motif, often associated with blessing, healing, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit. In this context, Jesus' touch conveys His divine power and compassion. The Greek word for "placed" (ἐπιθείς) indicates a deliberate and authoritative action. This gesture underscores the personal nature of Jesus' miracles, as He physically connects with those He heals, offering both physical and spiritual restoration.

'Can you see anything?' He asked
This question from Jesus invites the man to participate in his healing process. The Greek word for "see" (βλέπεις) implies not just physical sight but also spiritual insight. By asking this question, Jesus encourages the man to reflect on his newfound vision, both literally and metaphorically. This interaction highlights the importance of faith and personal response in the process of healing and transformation. Jesus' question serves as a reminder that spiritual awakening often requires active engagement and acknowledgment of God's work in our lives.

(23) He took the blind man by the hand.--We note in the act the same considerate adaptation of the method of healing to the man's infirmities as in the case of the deaf man in Mark 7:33. As far as the first three Gospels are concerned, these are the two instances of the "spitting" here recorded, but it is one of the links that connect St. Mark with the fourth Gospel (John 9:6).

If he saw ought.--The better MSS. give the very words, "Dost thou see ought?"

Verse 23. - And he took (ἐπιλαβόμενος) - literally, took hold of - the blind man by the hand, and led him - this is the rendering of ἐξήγαγεν; but a great weight of manuscript authority points to ἐξήνεγκεν as the better reading, brought him - out of the village (ἔξω τῆς κώμης). This Bethsaida was a village; but Philip had raised it to the rank of a city (πόλις), though it still seems to have retained its old appellation. Our Lord "led" or "brought" the blind man out of Beth-saida, for the same reason that he led the deaf and dumb man (Mark 7:33) away from the multitude:

(1) for the sake of prayer, that he might collect his mind, and unite himself more closely to God, and pray more intently and earnestly;

(2) that he might shun vain-glory and human praise, and teach us to shun it also. And when he had spit on his eyes - this act had a mystical meaning; it was the instrument by which his Deity operated - and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught? Here were three acts -

(1) the spitting, . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

He took
ἐπιλαβόμενος (epilabomenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1949: To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent).

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

blind [man]
τυφλοῦ (typhlou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5185: Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.

by the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hand
χειρὸς (cheiros)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5495: A hand.

[and] led him
ἐξήνεγκεν (exēnenken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1627: To bring out, carry out, sometimes out of the city for burial; I bring forth, bear, produce. From ek and phero; to bear out.

out
ἔξω (exō)
Preposition
Strong's 1854: Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

village.
κώμης (kōmēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2968: A village, country town. From keimai; a hamlet.

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

He spit
πτύσας (ptysas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4429: To spit. A primary verb; to spit.

on
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

[the man’s]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

eyes
ὄμματα (ommata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3659: An eye. From optanomai; a sight, i.e. the eye.

[and] placed
ἐπιθεὶς (epitheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2007: To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.

[His]
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hands
χεῖρας (cheiras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495: A hand.

on him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Can you see
βλέπεις (blepeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

anything?”
τι (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

He asked.
ἐπηρώτα (epērōta)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1905: To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.


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NT Gospels: Mark 8:23 He took hold of the blind man (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 8:22
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