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.

MARK 8:23KJV
Know the Bible

Mark 8:23 (KJV)

What does Mark 8:23 mean?

Mark 8:23 describes Jesus taking a blind man by the hand, leading him out of the town, and then spitting on the man's eyes and laying his hands on him before asking if the man could see anything. This verse shows Jesus personally guiding and beginning to heal the blind man in a very hands-on and intimate way.

In this scene, Jesus is interacting directly with a blind man brought to him in Bethsaida. Instead of healing the man in front of the crowd, Jesus leads him away from the town, suggesting a private, focused encounter. The actions—touching, spitting, and asking—highlight the physical and gradual nature of this particular healing, which stands out among Jesus’ miracles.

The Greek behind Mark 8:23

  • The word for "hand" is χείρ (cheir), which often emphasizes personal touch or direct involvement. Here, it underscores Jesus’ compassionate and personal approach to the man.
  • The verb for "led" is ἐξήγαγεν (exēgagen), meaning to lead out or bring outside. This shows Jesus intentionally removing the man from the town, possibly to avoid public spectacle or to focus on the individual.
  • The word for "spit" is ἐμπτύσας (emptysas), which means to spit. This unusual detail is included in several of Jesus’ healings and may have been seen as having medicinal or symbolic significance at the time.
  • The word for "asked" is ἐπηρώτησεν (epērōtēsen), which means to question or inquire. Jesus’ question invites the man to participate in the process and reveals that the healing is happening in stages.

Why Mark 8:23 matters

  • Mark 8:23 shows that Jesus sometimes chose to heal people privately and in stages, not always instantly or publicly, which is different from many other miracles.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ personal care and attention, taking the time to lead the man by the hand and interact with him directly.
  • This healing sets up the unique two-step miracle that follows, emphasizing that spiritual and physical sight can come gradually, not always all at once.

Where else these words appear

“spit” Greek G4429 · used in 3 verses

  • 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;
  • John 9:6 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,

“led” Greek G1806 · used in 13 verses

  • Mark 15:20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
  • Acts 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
  • Acts 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

“took” Greek G1949 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
  • Luke 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
  • Acts 21:33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

“town” Greek G2968 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
  • Mark 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
  • Luke 13:22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.