In brief
The blind man of Bethsaida is an unnamed man healed by Jesus near the Sea of Galilee, shortly before Peter's confession. People bring him to Jesus, who leads him out of the village, puts saliva on his eyes and lays hands on him. The man first sees dimly, then, after a second laying on of hands, clearly. Only Mark reports this miracle. What we keep is that Jesus carries his work through to the end.
What does the name The Blind Man of Bethsaida mean?
The Bible does not give this man's name. The name of the village, Bethsaida, is generally understood as house of fishing; it was also the town of Philip, Andrew and Peter (John 1:44).
The story of The Blind Man of Bethsaida
Disciples who do not see
Mark 8:14-21Just before this miracle, the disciples worry because they forgot to bring bread. Jesus rebukes their lack of understanding, asking whether, having eyes, they do not see. He reminds them of the two feedings of the multitudes. The healing that follows takes place in this context, where the disciples themselves still struggle to see who Jesus is.
Led out of the village
Mark 8:22-23At Bethsaida, a blind man is brought to Jesus, with a plea that he touch him. Jesus takes the blind man by the hand and leads him out of the village. There he spits on his eyes, lays his hands on him and asks whether he sees anything. Jesus takes the time for a personal encounter, away from the crowd.
Men like trees
Mark 8:24The man looks up and says that he sees people, but they look like trees walking. His sight returns, but it remains blurred. The Gospels record no other healing that unfolds in two stages like this. Jesus is not discouraged and does not leave the man halfway.
He saw everything clearly
Mark 8:25Jesus again puts his hands on the man's eyes. When the blind man looks intently, he is restored and sees everything clearly. The Lord finishes what he began: the sight given is not partial but complete. The account does not say why Jesus proceeded in two stages; it shows that he brings his healing to its completion.
Do not enter the village
Mark 8:26-29Jesus sends the man home, telling him not to enter the village. Right afterward, on the road to Caesarea Philippi, he asks his disciples who they say he is. Peter answers that he is the Christ. The eyes of the disciples are also beginning to open to the identity of Jesus.
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What The Blind Man of Bethsaida teaches us
- Jesus takes each person by the hand and meets them personally, away from the crowd.
- A work of God can unfold in stages without being unfinished.
- Seeing blurry is not the end of the story: the Lord leads his own to clear vision.
- Bringing someone to Jesus is already an act of faith and love.
- We need Jesus to open our spiritual eyes so that we recognize who he is.
Key verses
The moment the healing is completed: after a second laying on of hands, the man sees everything clearly. Jesus does not leave his work half done.
Jesus' question to his disciples, just before the miracle: they have eyes but do not see. The healing of the blind man sheds light on this need for spiritual sight.
Paul is convinced that the one who began a good work in believers will bring it to completion. As with the blind man of Bethsaida, God finishes what he starts.
Sermons about The Blind Man of Bethsaida
- Outside the Village: When Jesus Takes the Blind Man by the HandThe preacher stresses that Jesus could have healed the blind man on the spot, but chose to take him by the hand and lead him out of Bethsaida, a village that had seen miracles without repenting.
- Dare to Believe: Hear, Obey, PersevereBruno Astier takes the example of the blind man of Bethsaida: after partial sight, the second laying on of hands lets him see clearly, and the preacher sees in it a call to persevere in faith.
- Five Names of God That Will Change Your Prayer LifeThe sermon recalls that God can heal in several stages: the blind man of Mark 8 first sees blurry, then clearly, because the miracle was not yet finished.
- Strive to See Emmanuel in Every SituationThe preacher notes that a blind man was waiting in Bethsaida, where Jesus had sent his disciples despite the contrary wind, and sees in it Jesus who wants to open eyes to his love.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Jesus heal the blind man of Bethsaida in two stages?
The text does not give the reason. It shows only that Jesus brings the healing to completion: after blurred sight, the man sees everything clearly. Placed right after the rebuke of disciples who have eyes but do not see, and just before Peter's confession, the account invites us to expect complete spiritual sight from Jesus.
What was the name of the blind man of Bethsaida?
The Bible does not say. Mark speaks only of a blind man brought to Jesus at Bethsaida. He should not be confused with Bartimaeus, the blind beggar of Jericho healed later in Mark 10, nor with the man born blind in chapter 9 of John's Gospel.
Where can I find the story of the blind man of Bethsaida?
This miracle is reported only in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 8, verses 22 to 26. To grasp its meaning, also read verses 14 to 21, where the disciples still do not understand, and verses 27 to 30, where Peter recognizes that Jesus is the Christ.