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| Archbishop Averky (Tauchev) Explanation of the four Gospels IntraText CT - Text |
The Lord performed this miracle about which only Saint Mark narrates, after He and His disciples had crossed to the eastern bank of the Gennesaret Lake. On the way to Caesarea Philippi, in the town of Bethsaida (also known as Julias in honor of Tetrarch Philip Julius), a blind person was brought to the Lord so that He may cure him with the touch of His hand. More than likely, he was not born blind inasmuch as with the first touch of the Lord’s hands, he announced that he could see trees and people; i.e. he was already aware of what people and trees looked like. Having cured him, the Lord acted as He did with the healing of the speech-impeded deaf individual: He led the man out of the settlement, spat on his eyes and his sight returned — not instantly but gradually, after the Lord had once again, laid His hands on him. Apparently, by His actions, the Lord once again was trying to arouse faith in the man, essential for the performance of the miracle. Thereupon, the Lord sent him home, commanding him not to call in at the settlement, and not to tell anyone there about the miracle.