The Blind Man of Bethsaida

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The Blind Man of Bethsaida is found only in Mark 8:22-26. According to 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.

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