The Blind Man of Bethsaida is the subject of one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. It is found only in Mark 8:22-26. The exact location of Bethsaida in this pericope is subject to debate among scholars, but is likely Bethsaida Julias on the north shore of Lake Galilee.
According to the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus came to Bethsaida, a town in Galilee, he was asked to heal a blind man. Jesus took his patient out of town, put some spittle on his eyes, and laid hands on him. "I see men like trees, walking," said the man. Jesus repeated the procedure, resulting in clear and perfect eyesight. "Neither go into the town," commanded Jesus, "nor tell anyone in the town." (New King James Version). Even though the story is found only in Mark, it is strongly supported by the Criterion of Embarrassment, since early Christians (or Christians at any time, for that matter), would not have been happy that Jesus had to give two blessings to achieve a proper result. The story also casts strong doubt on the curse on Bethsaida for not repenting in spite of all "the mighty works" done there, since there is no hint of any other miracle, and Jesus took care not to propagandize this one.
Famous quotes containing the words blind man, blind and/or man:
“As if he were
a pot of dates
in a blind man’s hand,
Mothers,
they pilfer my husband
and they’re jealous of me!
The cobra’s hood
has come out of its tail.”
—Hla Stavhana (c. 50 A.D.)
“Then let not what I cannot have
My cheer of mind destroy.
Whilst thus I sing, I am a king,
Although a poor blind boy!”
—Colley Cibber (1671–1757)
“Any man knows when he is justified, and all the wits in the world cannot enlighten him on that point. The murderer always knows that he is justly punished; but when a government takes the life of a man without the consent of his conscience, it is an audacious government, and is taking a step towards its own dissolution.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)