Mk 8:11-38

• vv14-21: yeast (->teaching) of the
  
• Pharisees -> hypocrisy
  
• Herod -> worldly desires
  
• v14: they forgot to bring bread, but Jesus warned them of the yeast of Pharisees and Herod, which made the disciples very confused (v16), but what they've forgotten is not only the bread, but that Jesus is the Lord and can perform miracles; didn't he feed 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and again 4000 with 7? Didn't they even have leftovers each time? Food is not the issue here, Jesus' concern is towards the spiritual wellbeing of his students;
• v21: had Jesus lost his patience on his students? He should know they were slow when he selected them (spiritual alertness was probably not a criterion). Jesus was surely a stern master. I think only after his death did the disciples realize how much trust their master had laid upon them--to carry on the daunting task of the great commission; Jesus then empowered his disciples and had been ever so encouraging to them; a stern master he was during the training period, but also he's trusting and inspiring as a leader--perhaps that's the model for discipleship?
• vv22-26: A 2-step healing? Why the hassle of going outside the village and spitting? Couldn't he just say it on the spot and heal the blind? Of course he could. Nothing is impossible for him. So there must be a reason for his doing so--although it's not immediately obvious to me at this time.
• vv27-33: see also Mt 16;
• v31: Jesus predicted his death and resurrection;
• v33: 'Get behind me, Satan!'--so it was not Peter who said it; did Satan speak through the mouth of Peter? I can imagine Peter's reaction when hearing this (especially after Jesus praised him for recognizing Jesus is the Christ (which was revealed by God--Mt 16:17);
• v34: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
• v36-37: What good is it for a an to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?